The Core Curriculum and Required Seminar for the Master of Science in Clinical Research
Purpose of the Core Curriculum
The purpose of the core curriculum is to provide trainees with the basic set of skills that are required by clinical investigators in all fields of interest. These skills include an understanding of: research design and epidemiological methods; biostatistics; study and survey design; measurement of outcomes; and ethical and regulatory principles of research involving human subjects. There may be additional requirements depending on your specific research training path.
Sequence of the Core Curriculum
The curriculum uses structured didactic techniques that are complemented with hands-on experience in clinical research methodology. The set of core courses has been carefully designed to provide some level of reinforcement without redundancy. The training program begins with an intensive 8-week block of summer coursework, and the core curriculum is completed after taking the Ethics and Regulation of Research course in the spring semester.
Research Design and Development Seminar Series
The 8-week block of summer coursework is followed by coordinated seminars that build on skills introduced during the summer. The seminar series focuses on research design and development during the fall and spring terms.
| Summer | Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Methods (3 credits) |
 |
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| Biostatistics: Statistical Approaches in Clinical Research (4 credits) |
Research Design and Development Seminar
(5 credits) |
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| Computer Methods for Clinical Research (1 credit, 1 week only) |
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| Measurement in Clinical Research (1 credit) |
Ethics and Regulation of Research (1 credit) |
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Required Courses for the Master of Science (Core Curriculum and Research Design and Development Seminar Series)
| Course number | Course title | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLRES 2005 | Computer Methods for Clinical Research | 1 | Summer (July-Aug) |
| CLRES 2010 | Clinical Research Methods | 3 | Summer (July-Aug) |
| CLRES 2020 | Biostatistics: Statistical Approaches in Clinical Research | 4 | Summer (July-Aug) |
| CLRES 2040 | Measurement in Clinical Research | 1 | Summer (July-Aug) |
| CLRES 2050 | Ethics and Regulation of Clinical Research | 1 | Spring (Feb-May) |
| CLRES 2071 | Research Design and Development Seminar Part I | 3 | Fall (Sept-Dec) |
| CLRES 2072 | Research Design and Development Seminar Part II | 2 | Spring (Jan-May) |
