Degree project in Medicine, 30 credits

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with advanced knowledge by independently and individually under supervision planning and carrying out a research-oriented degree project of 30 credits within the main field of medicine. Students will also attain theoretical and practical understanding of the research process and develop a scientific approach. The learning outcomes are related to the overarching learning outcomes for the whole medical program. The scientific basis for the main field medicine involves human structure and functions in health and disease, disease prevention and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries.
Learning outcomes for knowledge and understanding are tiered according to the SOLO taxonomy: S1) simple (e.g. know about, identify), S2) complex (e.g., explain, describe), S3) related (e.g. analyse, relate to), and S4) extended (e.g., theorise, analyse). Practical skills are tiered according to Miller’s taxonomy: M1) knows, M2) knows how to perform, M3) is able to demonstrate, and M4) is able to perform professionally.

Knowledge and understanding
After the course the student should be able to:
• Show theoretical knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of the chosen area of medical research;
• Show an understanding of the fields current research and development

Skills
After the course the student should be able to:
• At a high level of independence plan, structure, carry out and analyse a scientific project within the field of medicine (M3).
• Explain and discuss how to, in an ethical manner, collect, handle and describe a complex material with relevance for the theoretical background of the scientific project and its hypothesis (M3).
• At a high level of independence, document scientific work in a systematically organized report, in which the ability to describe the scientific work and to put it in its theoretical context should be evident (M3).
• Orally present and defend a delimited scientific work and place it within its theoretical context (M3).
• Critically review scientific work, and to objectively and in a scientific manner review and discuss another student’s report (M3).
• Integrate medical knowledge, ethical and psychological aspects in communication with other professional groups and when seeing patients (Professional development) (M3).
• Reflect on professional development with the help of a structured self-assessment (Professional development) (M3).

Attitude
After the course the student should be able to:
• Show an understanding of scientific methods, the scientific process and the relevance of research ethics.
• Understand the importance of cooperation and learning from others in connection with planning, implementation and interpretation of own studies and inquiries.
• Show ability to identify own need for further knowledge

For courses that have been discontinued or have undergone major changes, at least two additional examinations (excluding the regular examination) on the previous contents are provided over a period of one year from the date the changes occurred.

The examiner may immediately suspend a student's work-based training (VFU) or equivalent if the student demonstrates such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitudes as to jeopardize patient safety or patient confidence in the health care. When a placement is interrupted in this way it means that the student fails the current examination and the clinical placement is used up.

Students who fail the practical training (VFU)/equivalent due to demonstrated serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitudes that may jeopardize patient safety or patient confidence in the health care, are eligible for a new placement only when an individual action plan has been completed.

The course evaluation will be conducted according to guidelines established by the Board of Education.