1. Bachelor's degree (180 credits) or equivalent with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, biomedical methods and technology, biomedical laboratory science, or in other areas of natural, medical, engineering sciences or technology of relevance to the programme with a minimum of 15 credits in chemistry and/or biochemistry.

2. The equivalent of English B, or English 6, in Swedish secondary school.

3. Passing grades in the Master's program semesters 1 and 2 or equivalent (transferable credits)

The aim of the course is for the student to acquire advanced knowledge about the field of biomedical surface science, research methodology and research ethics.

The course addresses the knowledge and the skills necessary for the student to be able to conduct and defend a degree project of high quality, which entails methodological, scientific and research ethical issues at an advanced level.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to

1. independently, under supervision, conduct and document a degree project relevant to the field of biomedical surface science,

2. evaluate scientific models, theories and methods,

3. apply obtained knowledge in laboratory assignments,

4. identify possible problems in the field and suggest their solution at both theoretical and practical level,

5. evaluate ethical and social aspects in the field of biomedical surface science and apply research ethical principles, and

6. communicate the project in a written thesis and perform an oral scientific presentation and defence of the thesis.

The course is project-oriented containing practical laboratory work realizing learning outcome 6. Active knowledge search, critical thinking and problem solving is trained to obtain learning outcomes 1-5. The main learning activities consist of individual project work, supervision, project discussions and result presentations in order to gain learning outcomes 1-5. During the final part of the project, the student is trained to give a scientific presentation and defend the results by scientific discussion in order to achieve learning outcome 6.

Learning outcomes 1-4 and 6 are examined through a written thesis and an oral public presentation and defence of the thesis. Learning outcome 5 is examined by a written report.

Detailed assessment criteria are available in the study instructions.

A student who fails to achieve a passing grade in the course examination will be given the opportunity to be re-examined twice according to same course content and with the same requirements. In addition, students also have the right to be examined on the same course the next time the course is offered according to the same regulations. If the course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student has a right to re-examination on two occasions within one year, based on the syllabus that was in place at the time the student registered for the course. Examination and re-examination take place at the times specified in the schedule.

Gudmundsson, P. (2012),Writing guidelines for students at the department of Health and society.

Scientific articles will be added.

The course coordinator/examiner is responsible for ensuring that two course evaluations will be conducted for the course. A preliminary course evaluation will be conducted upon the completion of half of the course. The results will be compiled and relayed to the students as soon as possible. The results will be presented on the course website and will be relayed to students during lesson time. A summary course evaluation will be conducted in connection with the completion of the course. The course coordinator will relay the results to the students at a prearranged time. Memory notes from the feedback, including proposals for changes to the course, will be documented and made available on the course website, and will also be relayed to the students who begin the course the next time it is given.