Using a combination of didactic material and seminars, the Clinical Epidemiology/Clinical Effectiveness Focus Area enables participants to develop the analytic and quantitative skills necessary to conduct clinical research. The required courses will provide training in traditional epidemiologic research methods including study design and analysis. Additional courses will address the relative merits of various designs; the design and conduct of clinical trials; the health decision sciences; health services research; informatics; questionnaire development; and other clinical and outcomes research topics. Didactic sessions will be supplemented by small discussion groups, practical exercises, and invited guest speakers. 

 
 

Schedule

Course Description with Tentative Syllabus

Degree Checklist

Research Informatics

Co-directed by Mark Eckman, MD, MS; Peter Embi, MD, MS; and Jarek Meller, PhD

The Research Informatics Track of the Masters in Clinical and Translational Research has itself been divided into two separate areas of focus. There are two main types of “Translational Research”, so-called “T1 Translation” which refers to the translation of basic science findings to clinical research studies, and “T2 Translation” which refers to the translation of clinical research findings into clinical and community practice.  Research Informatics knowledge and practice related to “T1” and “T2” differ; as such, we have developed “T1 – Translational Research Informatics” and “T2 – Clinical Research Informatics” sub-tracks within the Research Informatics Track of the MS program. While these tracks that are further described below specify required and selective courses, our intent is that the student work closely with (her/his) advisors and mentors to select the appropriate courses. In consultation with advisors, students may also wish to take additional courses not listed on the track descriptions below.  The electives for this Focus Area are taught through the College of Medicine, College of Business, and College of Engineering.

Required courses

“T1” Translational Track (16 minimum total)

*Must take 3 of the listed 7 selective courses.

“T2” Clinical Track (16 minimum total)

*Must take 2 of the listed 7 courses.

22 – College of Business            20 – College of Engineering         26 – College of Medicine

Molecular Epidemiology

Directed by Grace LeMasters, PhD

 

Schedule

Course Description with Tentative Syllabus

Degree Checklist

Clinical Trials

Directed by Pankaj Desai, PhD

The overall objective of the Clinical Trials Focus Area is to train clinical researchers interested in clinical trials and translational research. Trainees concentrating in Clinical Trials will learn the fundamentals of clinical trials and the drug/device development process, including the responsible conduct of research, the phases of clinical trials, and regulatory affairs. A unique aspect of the curriculum is that UC professors team with industry leaders to teach several of the courses, so that students get a “real world” experience. The electives for this Focus Area are taught through the College of Pharmacy.

These trainees gain the skills required to effectively complete investigator-initiated, IND-directed early phase clinical trials. Trainees learn critical aspects of study design and conduct, mechanisms of financial support, and data analysis and publication. A basic understanding of laboratory methods, data analysis, and the molecular basis of disease is critical to bridge laboratory and clinical research and is therefore included in the training. The curriculum covers training in pre-clinical efficacy and toxicology studies that are required to support early phase clinical trials. In addition, regulatory affairs issues unique to translational research are covered. 
 

 
 

Schedule

Course Description with Tentative Syllabus

Degree Checklist

Translational Research

Directed by Timothy Cripe, PhD, MD

Translational research is broadly defined as research that will provide a scientific link between laboratory research and human clinical practice. This area includes preclinical and early phase clinical testing of new therapeutic or diagnostic reagents, as well as collection and handling of patient specimens. Students will take courses in the College of Pharmacy geared towards clinical trials and regulatory affairs and in Developmental Biology, Disease and Development. Two new courses have been created for this focus area: Patient Specimen Methods and Disease Specific Translational Research. To gain a more solid understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases, trainees may fill the elective hours with the molecular biology series offered at UC each year. Ideally, research projects will encompass late preclinical or early clinical projects.