Degree Project in Health Informatics, 30 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in healthcare, biomedicine, medical technology, computer and systems sciences, informatics or the equivalent. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

Approved course in scientific research methods at advanced level.

All courses from year 1 and at least 10 credits from courses in term 3 at the Master's programme in health informatics.

The course aims to enable students to, under supervision and via independent work, plan and carry out a research project within the health informatics field.

Knowledge and understanding
The student shall be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding whether a research question falls within the boundaries of health informatics, and whether it is specific and appropriately delimited, and
• acquire and critically review relevant scientific literature in support of broadening and deepening his or her subject specific and methodological knowledge within health informatics.

Skills
The student shall be able to demonstrate an ability to:

• critically and systematically integrate knowledge acquired during the programme,
• individually plan, design and carry out a research project within specified time limits,
• clearly formulate scientific research questions, motivate choice of scientific method as well as present and discuss results, orally and in writing, in a scientific way,
• critically draw conclusions and reflect on the meaning of obtained empirical results and identify the need for further knowledge,
• critically and objectively  assess others' scientific work and be able to give relevant feedback, orally and in written, and
• reflect upon the ethical concerns of the project, as well as the project's impact on  society.

Attitudes
The student shall be able to:

• take responsibility for one's own knowledge development, and
• demonstrate an awareness and ability to take relevant social and ethical aspects into account throughout the research process as well as with possible usage of research results.

The degree project is an individual project addressing a relevant scientific problem in health informatics. The project is documented in a scientific report - the degree thesis.

Independant, individual work under supervision plus participation in seminars. Studies of scientific literature according to the supervisor's recommendation and the student's own assessment.

The examination consists of

• a written thesis,
• oral presentation at the examination seminar,
• oral opposition at the examination seminar, and
• a written opposition report.

The degree thesis is assessed with A-F.

Compulsory participation

The course includes mandatory sessions marked in the course schedule. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, the student's results for the course will not be registered. Absence from a compulsory part may result in the student having to wait to compensate until the next time the course is given.

Limitation of number of examination occasions
The student has the right to be examined six times. If the student has not passed the course after four examinations
he/she is encouraged to visit the study counsellor.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations he/she is encouraged to visit the study councellor. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.
The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in will not be counted as an examination.

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take
place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the  Committee for Higher Education.

 The course is given in English.