FRM4010 – Preparation Course for Research in Biology

Course content

The course consists of three main topics: (1) general information about research in Biology (research ethics, safety, research planning, keeping research records, etc) (2) practical exercises in biological research (3) clinical and epidemiological studies. The course is compulsory for students who wish to take a Master’s degree at the department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.

Learning outcome

By the end of the course, the students are to have acquired insight into research ethics, safety in the laboratory, research planning and principles for reporting, statistical research planning, and the presentation of results. In addition, the students are also to learn essential practical skills in the laboratory within the biochemical, molecular biological, microbiological, and cellular work methods as well as acquire insight into how to evaluate documentation of clinical and epidemiological studies.

Admission to the course

The course is primarily open to students who have been admitted to the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Oslo. If there is space available then others may also apply to take the course as long as their academic background is adequate.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The course is only available to students who have passed their pharmacy apprenticeship and have passed all previous pharmacy courses or have the equivalent within biology and the compulsory HSE courses required for students at the 5-year Master`s Program in Pharmacy.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

Lectures, group work, and compulsory practical laboratory work.

Reports and documentation from the laboratory work are to be collected in a portfolio, as is the project work. In order for the portfolio to be approved, it needs to be complete and the laboratory work and contents of the portfolio need to demonstrate that the student has acquired the knowledge and skills required. The course is only open to 35 students.

Inactivity and / or excessive absences in compulsory education means that the student does not receive final assessment / examination.

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Written exam 4 hours.

Digital examination

The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.

Read more about written examinations using Inspera.

Examination support material

As of 1 August, 2016, the use of own calculators is no longer permitted. Casio FX-991EX calculators are handed out to all exam candidates at the beginning of the exam.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 5:53:27 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
5
Teaching
Spring

The course is last held spring 2020

Examination
Spring .

Examination is last held spring 2022

Teaching language
Norwegian

Contact

Department of Pharmacy