Master of Science in Clinical Research: Core Curriculum and Required Coursework
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, 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 the 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 core curriculum can be taken in its entirety in either the summer or spring terms. It is also possible to take the core curriculum coursework across more than one semester. The Ethics and Regulation of Research course is only offered in the spring semester.
Research Design and Development
The Research Design and Development Course can only be taken after the core curriculum coursework is completed. It is taken in conjunction with the Ethics and Regulation of Research Course. The Research Design and Development Course focuses on research design and development during the fall and spring terms.
| Summer | Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Methods (3 credits) |
 |
 |
Clinical Research Methods (3 credits) |
|
| Biostatistics: Statistical Approaches in Clinical Research (4 credits) |
OR |
Biostatistics: Statistical Approaches in Clinical Research (4 credits) |
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| Computer Methods in Clinical Research (1 credit, 1 week only) |
Computer Methods in Clinical Research (1 credit, 1 week only) |
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| Measurement in Clinical Research (1 credit) |
Measurement in Clinical Research (1 credit) |
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| Research Design and Development
(5 credits) |
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| 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)
| Course number | Course title | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLRES 2005 | Computer Methods in Clinical Research | 1 | Summer (July-Aug) Spring (Jan) |
| CLRES 2010 | Clinical Research Methods | 3 | Summer (July-Aug) Spring (Jan-April) |
| CLRES 2020 | Biostatistics: Statistical Approaches in Clinical Research | 4 | Summer (July-Aug) Spring (Jan-April) |
| CLRES 2040 | Measurement in Clinical Research | 1 | Summer (July-Aug) Spring (Jan-April) |
| CLRES 2050 | Ethics and Regulation of Clinical Research | 1 | Spring (Feb-May) |
| CLRES 2071 | Research Design and Development Part I | 3 | Fall (Sept-Dec) |
| CLRES 2072 | Research Design and Development Part II | 2 | Spring (Jan-May) |
