Curriculum for the Academic Course of Study for Nursing Science I. Bachelor Degree Program at the Medical University of Graz in cooperation with the Karl-Franzens University Graz The concept for the curriculum was drawn up by the Academic Board for Nursing Science in accordance with UG02 51(2)4, 54(9) on June 16th, 2004 at the Academic Board Meeting and a resolution was passed by the Senate for the Medical University on June 23rd, 2004. Amendments decreed by the Academic Board on Oct. 4th, 2004 in accordance with federal law concerning the organization of universities and their courses of study (University Organization Act 2002) as well as the decree of the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Culture, the resolutions of the Senate for the Medical University of Graz. Curriculum Version 2 Oct. 4th, 2004 Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 1
1. GENERAL SECTION 1.1. Preamble 1.1.1. Modernity Austria is currently far behind its international counterparts in the field of nursing science and in great need of developments in the field. The establishment of an academic course of study and a professorship for Nursing Sciences is thus of close concern with the aforementioned issue. The newly emerging nursing science in Austria can contribute to the development of the scientific discipline of nursing through studies and research projects in nursing practice, as well as through studies concerning professional trends and the history of nursing, thus leading to an overall improvement of patient care. 1.2. Concept Regarding Content 1.2.1. General Contents Particular attention is to be paid to the currently prominent chronic diseases and the effects of demographic aging. This development has brought about far-reaching changes in the health condition of the population of all western industrial nations to which the current health care and nursing situation has yet to sufficiently adapt. The number of people needing health care is increasing disproportionately. Professional nursing care and the involvement of family members plays an important role in the healing process of ailing individuals. The World Health Organization emphasizes that one of the central tasks of nursing science is to develop scientifically supported and founded concepts in nursing care. 1.2.2. Special Contents The following topics receive particular emphasis: o Specific aspects of out-patient and in-patient care o Living with chronic diseases and promotion of self management o Dealing with the gender-specific health problems for every age group o Rehabilitation o Prevention of a lack of nursing care o Empowerment and promotion of the potential help offered by nurses, in particular female family members o Empowerment in the area of health promotion 1.2.3. Significance of the Course of Study for the University and Society The course of study for nursing science at the Medical University of Graz in cooperation with the Karl-Franzens University Graz takes into account the varied demands on the employment market and fulfills the new needs and challenges of the professional world in the health care sector. The course of study is thus an essential foundation for the inter-university cooperation and at the same time a reaction to the changes in society. Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 2
1.3. Type of Course of Study The courses offered for the academic course of study for nursing sciences is compatible with the Bologna process. 1.3.1. Bachelor s Degree Program The bachelor s degree program for nursing science is offered in modules as an undergraduate study. 1.3.2. Master s Degree Program The master s degree program for nursing science serves to deepen the professional knowledge and skills of the learners, impart special knowledge, and enable graduates to conduct independent scientific research. Three main fields of study are offered: Vocational Training, Research, and Leadership and Cooperation (Management). 1.3.3. Doctor s Degree Program A doctor s degree program as a continuation of the master s degree program is planned and will be implemented in time for graduates of the master s degree program to enrol directly after completing their studies. 1.3.4 Duration of Study The bachelor s degree program lasts 6 semesters and is worth a total of 180,04 ECTS points. 1.3.5. Conclusion of the Course of Study and Academic Degree Graduates of the bachelor's degree program for nursing science are awarded the academic degree of Bachelor in Nursing Science. 1.4. Policy Regarding Equality of Women s and Gender Medicine The equality of the sexes shall be upheld by the teachers as well as the learners and shall be monitored through the working group on questions of equality. Gender specific aspects shall be taken into consideration in terms of content throughout the entire course of study, beginning with the entry phase in the course of study. The contents of this theme shall predominately address the methodical aspects and approaches to problems of women s and gender medicine in the field of nursing science. These contents shall be given particular consideration in the respective courses. In particular, interdisciplinary, gender specific content from the fields of health and nursing sciences will be offered. Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 3
1.5. Training and Educational Goals 1.5.1 Qualification profile of Graduates of the Bachelor s Degree Program for Nursing Science The bachelor s degree program for nursing science prepares the learners with a basic education in nursing and health sciences for qualified activities in various professional health care sectors. It differs from related vocational training programs due to the degree of fundamental theoretical knowledge that is imparted as well as the instruction of research methods. The goal is to develop new, state-of-the-art occupational descriptions and models that are appropriate for the needs of modern health care. During the course of instruction, learners acquire social competence and skills such as the ability to empathize, to display proper communication skills, and most importantly, to interact with ill and elderly people. Furthermore, they learn how to cooperate in an interdisciplinary manner with professionals from other health care sectors. Communications skills such as team work and the ability to cooperate are trained in small groups. These skills are important in every professional sector as well as during direct contact with patients, family members, team members, members of the community and decision makers. A graduate of the bachelor s degree program for nursing science is able to: understand nursing as a scientific discipline that conducts theoretical and empirical research with the goal of collecting, organizing and evaluating available knowledge in nursing, as well as producing new knowledge, that can be made of use in daily nursing practice. express concepts and phenomena in nursing in a manner which is understandable to patients and those involved. recognize specific consultation needs and provide consultation in relation to nursing and health that is appropriate for the target group. prepare information on disease prevention and the application of health promotion measures in a scientific manner. specifically apply measures for health promotion and rehabilitation. plan, implement and evaluate tasks in a variety of organizations/institutions in the health care sector. plan, implement and evaluate quality control measures. help form nursing and health policies by means of consultation and expert opinion. 1.6. Courses 1.6.1. Required Courses Lectures (VO) serve to impart knowledge through lectures by the instructor. (see also 1.7.) Lectures with Exercises (VU) serve in close connection with lectures to impart theoretical and practical knowledge that require the active participation and practice of the learner for better understanding. Lectures take at most 40% of the whole education. The size of groups in exercises is limited to 25 students. Exercises (UE) serve to deepen the understanding of previously learned material by imparting practical skills. Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 4
Seminars (SE) serve as a platform for scientific discussion and are predominately intended to stimulate the independent work of the learners. This is primarily ensured through problemoriented and problem-based learning (independent acquisition of learning content in small groups under the guidance of a moderator). Practical Training (PR) serves as practical experience in the field to impart fundamental practical skills under the guidance of an accompanying professional. 1.6.2. Free Electives Free electives amounting to a total of 16,8 ECTS points can be chosen freely from the courses offered at domestic and foreign universities and are accredited upon completion. (see 17 (3) of the Law on Studies of the Medical University of Graz). 1.7. Use of New Media A project called the Virtual Medical Campus (VMC) exists at the Medical University of Graz which is predominately concerned with the emphasis of new media in instruction. Advantage should be taken of the various possibilities new media has to offer, including computer aided instruction. It should already be used when creating the instructional goals and thus serve to optimally prepare both instructors and learners. A share of the courses, particularly courses which serve to impart fundamental theoretical knowledge, can be held as virtual courses. This allows the learners a certain degree of flexibility regarding time management. In addition, this also accommodates the legal order to provide courses for individuals who work and study concurrently. The individual learning content in the catalogs of the disciplines shall be prepared regarding content at the time of implementation. By means of these virtual courses, personnel capacities shall be made available for increased quality, practically-oriented, small-group instruction. 1.8. Course of Study in a Foreign Language The language of instruction is in principle German, however, for the purpose of internationalization, English is to be promoted as the language of instruction. The head of the course is entitled to conduct their courses and accompanying examinations in the English language if the Academic Board has given their assent (see By-laws for the Medical University of Graz, Section Law on Studies, sub-section 3.1, paragraph 18). 1.9. Examinations 1.9.1. Courses with Continual Evaluation of Performance Lectures with Exercises (VU), Exercises (UE) and Seminars (SE) are courses with continual evaluation of performance. The participation and independent contributions of the students shall be graded. 1.9.2. Course Examinations Course examinations consist of the material imparted in the course and as a rule are written examinations that are held at the end of the course. Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 5
2. Special Section 2.1. Duration of Study The bachelor s degree program lasts 6 semesters and is divided into two parts. The first part encompasses the positive completion of all lectures in the first to forth semester. The second part comprises the completion of all lectures in the fifth to sixth semester. The whole course of study encompasses 100 semester hours (SST) and a practical training with a duration of 7 weeks that makes a total of 180,04 ECTS: Courses in required subjects 88 SST 138,57 ECTS Courses in elective subjects 12 SST 16,8 ECTS Practical training 7 weeks 12,67 ECTS Bachelor s Dissertation 12 ECTS 2.2. Entry Phase in the Course of Study The entry phase in the course of study serves on the one hand to introduce new learners to the most important subjects in the course of study, and on the other hand to impart instructions for conducting scientific research. The entry phase takes place during the first year of study and encompasses courses totalling 6 SSt (12,6 ECTS). Introduction to Nursing Science 2 SSt 2,8 ECTS Nursing in an international context 1 SSt 1,4 ECTS Foundations in Scientific Work 1 SSt 1,4 ECTS Communication and knowledge management 2 SSt 4,2 ECTS Health Science 2 SSt 2,8 ECTS 2.3. Practical Training Professionally pertinent practical training encompassing a total of 7 weeks (280 hours) must be completed if possible in the first and second year of study. The practical training consists of a three-week practical training at a ward, a three-week practical training at an extramural institution as well as a one-week training that can be chosen by the student. The practical training is accompanied by a course with supervision. 2.4. Required Subjects The following required subjects are to be completed as outlined. Foundations in Scientific Work (VO 5, VU1) 6 SSt 8,43 ECTS Foundations in Human Science (VO 2, VU 4) 6 SSt 8,43 ETCS Foundations in Social Science (VO 3, VU 2, SE 1, UE 1) 7 SSt 10,66 ECTS Foundations in Medical and Natural Sciences (VO8) 8 SSt 11,20 ECTS Health Science / Public Health / Health Psychology and Gender Studies (VO 6, SE 4) 10 SSt 16,80 ECTS Legal Aspects in Nursing and Nursing Science, Employee Protection, Social Insurance Law (VO 4) 4 SSt 5,6 ECTS Foundations in Business Administration, Management and Organization Theory as well as Health Economics (VO 4) 4 SSt 5,6 ECTS Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 6
Foundations in Didactics (Specialized Didactics) (VO2) 2 SSt 2,8 ECTS Communication Science and Knowledge Management (Communication Techniques) (VO 1, SE 5) 6 SSt 11,9 ETCS General Nursing Science (VO 8, SE 2, UE 3) 13 SSt 19,9 ECTS Specialized Nursing Science (VO 6, SE6) 12 SSt 21 ECTS Nursing Research (VO 5, SE 3) 8 SSt 13,3 ECTS Practical Training Accompaniment, Supervision (VU 2) 2 SSt 2,86 ECTS 2.5. Bachelor s Dissertation Within the framework of the bachelor s degree program, the learner is expected to complete two independent written works (bachelor s dissertations) within the framework of the courses listed above. These scientific written works are each accredited with 6 ECTS points. Topics for the bachelor s dissertations will be assigned by the respective course instructors and can be suggested by the learners. The dissertations are expected to be exhibit the same composition as a scientific publication. The course in which the bachelor s dissertation is to be written must be successfully completed. The lecturer of this course has to hand out a certificate on the student s bachelor s dissertation. 2.6. Free Electives Free electives allow the learner to attend courses in subjects that are not included in the curriculum for nursing science. The learner is fully at liberty to choose which free electives shall be a part of their course of study. Courses encompassing a total of 16,8 ECTS points are to be attended at any of the accredited domestic or foreign universities. Examinations on the learning material presented in these courses must be completed with a passing grade. The Academic Board has the right within the framework of the sample curriculum to make suggestions for the free electives in order to increase the learner s chances on the labour market. 2.7. Examination Regulations for the Bachelor s Degree Program 2.7.1. Course Examinations Lectures will be graded based on the results of an oral and/or written course examination. All other courses shall continually evaluate the performance of the learner, i.e. the courses will not be graded based on a single examination at the end of the course, but rather based on regular written and/or oral contributions of participants distributed throughout the course. 2.7.2. Bachelor s Degree Examinations Bachelor s degree examinations are the examinations that must be completed during the course of the bachelor s degree program. The first bachelor exam encompasses the positive completion of all courses from the first to the fourth semesters. The second bachelor exam encompasses the positive completion of all courses from the fifth to the sixth semester. The bachelor s degree program is concluded upon successfully completing all of the bachelor s degree examinations with a passing grade (including the bachelor s dissertations) and the required practical training. Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 7
3. Validity This curriculum will come into force by 1 October 2005. This curriculum complies to the Studies Law of the Medical University of Graz 24 paragraph 2. Accordingly, all students will be assigned to the new curriculum. Annex 1: Point distribution for the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS points) Guidelines ECTS SSt ECTS VO 1 1,40 VU 1 1,43 SE 1 2,10 UE 1 1.50 Practical Training 1 week 1,81 Elective 1 1,40 Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 8
Annex 2: Curriculum for Nursing Science Dated May 10, 2005 1 st S e m e s t e r Required Subject: Foundations in Scientific Work I 4 SSt (3 VO / 1 VU) LV: Introduction to Scientific Theory 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Introduction to Scientific Work I 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Statistics I 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Statistics I 1 SSt VU (ECTS 1,43) Required Subject: Foundations in Social Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Foundations in Social Science I 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Required Subject: Foundations in Medical and 3 SSt VO (ECTS 4,2) Natural Sciences LV: Anatomy 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Physiology 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Required Subject: Health Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Society and Health (will be offered online) 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Required Subject: Communications Science 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) LV: Conversation conduct 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) Required Subject: General Nursing Science 5 SSt (4VO / 1 UE) LV: Introduction into Nursing Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Nursing in an international context 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Introduction to Evidence Based Nursing 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Medical English 1 SSt UE (ECTS 1,5) Practical Training ECTS 3,1675 Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 9
Introductory part (8 SSt) (ECTS 12,6) LV: Introduction into scientific work (including the use of the library) 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Introduction into Nursing Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) (including Virtual Medical Campus VMC, construction of the curriculum) LV: Nursing in an international context 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Health Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Communication Science and Knowledge Management 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) 2 nd S e m e s t e r Required Subject: Foundations in Scientific Work 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Scientific Work 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Statistics II 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) Required Subject: Foundations in Social Science 2 SSt VU (ECTS 2,86) LV: Socio-Scientific Work 2 SSt VU (ECTS 2,86) Required Subject: Foundations in Medicine and 3 SSt VO (ECTS 4,2) Natural Science LV: Hygiene 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Pathophysiology 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) Required Subject: Health Science 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) LV: Public Health 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) Required Subject: Foundations in Human Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Introduction to Development Psychology 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Required Subject: General Nursing Science 5 SSt 2 VO/2 SE/1 UE LV: Evidence Based Nursing 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) LV: Introduction to the Nursing Process 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Foundations in Quality Management 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Medical English 1 SSt UE (ECTS 1,5) Practical Training: Introduction to in-patient treatment ECTS 3,1675 at the LKH Universitätsklinikum Graz Practical Training Accompaniment 1 SSt VU (ECTS 1,43) Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 10
3 rd S e m e s t e r Required Subject: Foundations in Medicine and 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Natural Science LV: Pharmacology 1 SST VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Internal Medicine 1 SST VO (ECTS 1,4) Required Subject: Foundations in Social Science 3 SST(1VO/1SE/1UE) LV: Family Sociology 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) LV: Development of a questionnaire 1 SSt SE (ECTS 2,1) LV: SPSS 1 SSt UE (ECTS 1,5) Required Subject: Health Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Health Care Structures and social-political aspects 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Required Subject: Communication Science 2 SSt (1VO/1SE) LV: Presentation techniques Seminar 1 SSt SE (ECTS 2,1) LV Presentation techniques 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) Required Subject: Foundations in Didactics 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Didactics 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) Required Subject: General Nursing Science 3 SSt ( 2 VO/1UE) LV: Models and Theories in Nursing Science 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Medical English 1 SSt UE (ECTS 1,5) Required Subject: Research in Nursing Science 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) LV: Research in practise 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) LV: International Research in Nursing Science 1 SSt VO (ECTS 1,4) Practical Training 3,1675 ECTS Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 11
4 th S e m e s t e r Required Subject: Foundations in Human Science 2 SSt VU (ECTS 2,86) LV: Ethnical case studies 2 SSt VU (ECTS 2,86) Required Subject: Health Science 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) LV: Health Psychology, gender-related Health Care 2 SSt SE (ECTS 4,2) Required Subject: Specific Nursing Science 6 SSt (4 VO/2 SE) LV: Preventive and rehabilitative aspects of Health examinations 2 SST VO (ECTS 2,8) for children, youth and middle aged people LV: Community and family-close Nursing 2 SSt VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Introduction into the intercultural dialog process 1 SSt SE (ECTS 2,1) LV: Nursing Diagnostics 1 SSt SE (ECTS 2,1) Required Subject: Research in Nursing 3 SSt (2 VO/1 SE) LV: Research into ageing 2 SST VO (ECTS 2,8) LV: Research in Nursing in practices 1 SST SE (ECTS 2,1) Practical Training 3,1675 ECTS Practical Training Accompaniment 1 SST VU(ECTS 1,43) Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 12
Annex 3: Timetable ordered by subject 1 st PART 1 st Semester Required subject SSt Type ECTS Foundations in Scientific Work 4 3VO/1VU 5,63 Foundations in Social Science 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Medical and Natural Science 3 3 VO 4,2 Health Science 2 2 VO 2,8 Communications Science and Knowledge Management 2 2 SE 4,2 General Nursing Science 5 4 VO/1 UE 7,1 Practical Training 3,168 Total 18 14 VO/1 VU/ 29,9 1 UE 2 nd Semester Required subject SSt Type ECTS Foundations in Scientific Work 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Human Science 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Social Science 2 2VU 2,86 Foundations in Medicine and 3 3 VO 4,2 Natural Science Health Science 2 2 Se 4,2 General Nursing Science 5 2VO/2SE/1 UE 8,5 Practical Training Accompaniment 1 1 VU 1,43 Practical Training at a ward 3,168 Total 17 9VO/4SE/ 29,96 3 VU/1UE Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 13
3 rd Semester Subject SSt Type ECTS Foundations in Medicine and Naturalscience 2 2 VO 2,8 Health Science 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Social Science 3 1 VO/1SE/1 UE 5 Foundations in Didactics 2 2 VO 2,8 Communication Science 2 1 VO/1 SE 3,5 General Nursing Science 3 2VO/1 UE 4,3 Research in Nursing Science 3 1 VO/2 SE 5,6 Elective 1 1,4 Practical Training 3,168 Total 18 11 VO/ 4 SE/ 31,37 2 UE/ 1 WF 4 th Semester Subject SSt Type ECTS Foundations in Human Science 2 2 VU 2,86 Health Science 2 2 SE 4,2 Specific Nursing Science 6 4 VO/2SE 9,8 Research in Nursing 3 1 VO/ 1 Se 4,9 Practical Training Accompaniment 1 1 VU 1,43 Practical Training: Extramural Training 3,168 Total 14 6 VO/3 VU/ 26,36 5 SE 2 nd PART 5 th Semester Subject SSt Type ECTS Health Science 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Law 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Economy 2 2 VO 2,8 Communication Science 2 2 SE 4,2 Special Nursing Science 4 2 VO/2 SE 7,0 Research in Nursing 1 1 VO 1,4 Elective 5 7,0 Total 18 9 VO/4 SE/ 34 5 WF Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 14
6 th Semester Subject SSt Type ECTS Foundations in Human Science 2 2 VU 2,86 Foundations in Law 2 2 VO 2,8 Foundations in Economy 2 2 VO 2,8 Special Nursing Science 2 2 SE 4,2 Research in Nursing 1 1 VO 1,4 Elective 6 8,4 Baccalaureate Dissertation 6 Total 15 5 VO/ 2 VU/ 28,46 2 SE/ 6 WF SSt ECTS 1 st year of study 35 59,86 2 nd year of study 32 57,73 3 rd year of study 33 62,46 Total 100 180 ECTS VO= 1,4 ECTS VU= 1,43 ECTS SE= 2,1 ECTS UE= 1,5 ECTS PR= 1,81ECTS/week Elective (WF)= 1,4 ECTS Curriculum Version 3.3 22 June, 2005 15