MF9010E – Introductory course to the medical Ph.D. programme, INTRO I
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This is the first of two compulsory courses for all PhD candidates at the Faculty of Medicine. The aim of the course is to provde an introduction to theory of science and research ethics, and basic knowledge about the breadth of research methods that are used in medical and health research. Since the course brings together PhD candidates with many different backgrounds and research projects, it also offers a rare opportunity to get to know colleagues from the entire range of research environments at the Faculty of Medicine. The course exam affords course participants experience with peer reviewing. After the course exam paper has been submitted, it will be assessed by one of the other course participants. Based on the peer comments received, a final version will then be prepared and submitted.
The course’s starting point is that medical research has become decidedly interdisciplinary. Cross-disciplinary cooperation and integration of multiple research fields have allowed the development of new knowledge and enabled new applications. This development is often called convergence. In this course, we will exemplify convergence by showing how a multifaceted problem can be addressed from different angles. We have chosen morbid obesity as our case; this thematic area will be employed in order to give participants concrete examples of general principals and approaches. It should, however be noted that the course is not a formalized introduction to obesity research – the case merely exemplifies modern research trends.
Multiple, integrated methods and tools can be applied to elucidate this thematic area including randomized controlled trials, R&D initiatives in primary health care, municipal initiatives, programs for increased physical activity and cooperation with NGOs. In the social context, prevention requires increased awareness in schools and in the public, as well as enhanced knowledge of nutrition, public health initiatives, product innovation, dissemination of healthcare products and political decision making.
This course provides an introduction to a variety of scientific perspectives and skills that are required to address such a complex issue. The course includes research within ethics and philosophy of science, epidemiology and statistics. In addition, genetic studies, basic research studies, cell physiology and pathophysiology, and studies of laboratory animals are introduced. The students will work in groups to elucidate the issue from their own point of view.
The first course day includes the startup seminar where candidate and supervisors meet. Participation the first day is mandatory
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After having completed this course, actively participated in lectures and group work, and studied the course literature, you are expected to be able to
- describe the knowledge, skills, and competencies one is expected to acquire during doctoral education
- summarize the contents of laws and regulations that govern research
- provide an overview of and summarize key topics in research ethics and the ethics of science
- provide an overview of and summarize key topics in the philosophy of science
- explain the concept of convergence and discuss the role of convergence in research that is of relevance to human health
- provide an overview over the range of research approaches used in medicine and other fields of relevance to human health
- explain central concepts in statistics, epidemiology, qualitative research methods, clinical studies, and basic medical research
Skills
After having completed this course, actively participated in lectures and group work, and studied the course literature, you are expected to be able to
- discuss what it means to be an academic
- discuss your own research and that of others in light of central paradigms in theory of science
- discuss your own research and that of others in light of applicable laws and regulations
- identify and discuss ethical challenges in medical and health-related research
- pose well-founded critical questions to research and research publications
- justify the choice of research methods
- provide, receive, and make use of peer review
General competence
After having completed this course, the goal is that you to will have strengthened competence to
- carry out your doctoral work with a high degree of ethical reflection and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations
- reflect on your own research in the context of other relevant research
- identify studies that may communicate with your own research although they are carried out with other methods and as part of other scientific traditions
Admission
MF9010E is restricted to PhD candidates at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Oslo.
Course registration:
- PhD candidates at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry at UiO apply in StudentWeb .
- This course has registration type Automatic reply.
- Applicants to a course with registration type automatic reply, will upon registration immediately receive a reply in StudentWeb as to whether the application is granted, the course is full, or if the applicant do not meet the formal prerequisite knowledge.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Overlapping courses
5 credits overlap with MF9010 – Introduksjonskurs for det medisinske ph.d.-programmet, INTRO I
Teaching
MF9010E intro I is a 6 day course. The first day includes the startup seminar and a half day course in ethics. Note that the course starts on a Friday and that participation the first day is mandatory. Attendance will be registered.
You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.
Examination
To pass the course MF9010E:
1. Attendance is compulsory the first day of the course
2. The home exam must be evaluated as passed. The exam has three components:
a) Course participants first write their own exam answer (time frame 2 weeks)
b) Each course participants thereafter carries out peer review of an exam paper submitted by one of the other course participants (time frame 1 week)
c) Each course participant then receives a peer review report from another course participant and revises their original exam answers on the basis of the comments provided (time frame 1 week)
When all three steps have been completed, candidates submit their original exam, the peer review report received, and their revised exam answers in Inspera.
Good skills in searching and citing scientific literature are a prerequisite for passing Intro I. Course participants with little previous knowledge have the option of attending a separate course with the university library prior to Intro I.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.