Epidemiology

Master of Science in Clinical Research Program

The mission of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program is to train clinicians in epidemiologic and quantitative methods used to investigate issues of clinical and public health importance. This program is designed for students seeking careers in clinical and translational research.
 

Program Description

The Master of Science in Clinical Research degree is an academic degree intended to prepare students for careers in clinical research with programs that emphasize understanding of clinical issues and the application of methods of clinical and translational research. 

Program Competencies

At the completion of the MS in Clinical Research program in Epidemiology students will be able to:

• Define the concepts and contents of epidemiology; formulate research hypothesis; determine study aim, objectives and appropriate study design to test hypothesis (EPID 6030)
• Define ethics and regulations in relation to clinical trials; define and develop clinical trial design (MSCR 6420)
• Analyze the business aspects and personnel management required for successful clinical trials and formulate appropriate SOP (MSCR 6430)
• Identify areas of career development in relation to clinical research (MSCR 6430)
• Memorize fundamental knowledge of tissue architecture, cell signaling, cell organization and function, cell growth, protein processing, basic anatomy and physiology of organ systems, principles of medical therapeutics (BMSP 7770, BMSP 6070)
• Identify risk and/or preventive factors that may contribute to outcomes and incorporate them into a research study (EPID 7120, EPID 7130)
• Assess the use of questionnaires and measurement instruments in collection of data to maintain validity in a clinical trial (EPID 7120, EPID 7130)
• Utilize computers to collect, manage and analyze data for evaluation of hypotheses (EPID 6230, EPID 7130)
• Demonstrate ability to identify new funding opportunities, conduct a CRISP search for funded projects and be able to navigate the NIH website (MSCR 6440)
• Identify the NIH requirements for grant submission and exhibit proficiency in preparing all the components of an NIH grant proposal.  Define and understand the peer review process (MSCR 7090)
• Define DNA structure and gene expression, chromosomes, Mendelian Inheritance, and techniques for genetic analysis. Investigate gene organization, molecular pathology, gene mapping, cancer genetics.  Recognize how gene based therapies will impact medicine, including gene therapy and pharmacogenomics (MSCR 7070)
• Analyze data to compose an understandable and presentable report of the results (BIOS 6040)
• Practice ethical research; demonstrate clinical research proficiency via NIH grant submission and/or peer reviewed journal article submission and acceptance (EPID 9980 Thesis)

Admission Requirements

The MS in Clinical Research is limited to health professionals already holding a doctoral degree who plan a career in clinical research. The class size is strictly limited with preference being given to faculty and fellows already at the Tulane School of Medicine. Other applicants are considered on an individual basis. 

Program Requirements

The Tulane MS-CR Program is a two-year structured program leading to a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (SPHTM). Potential trainees will be self-referred or nominated by their Program Director. The MS-CR program requires:

1. formal didactic training (39 credits), providing the tools to conduct modern clinical and translational research and
2. a mentored clinical research project (thesis).

 Course Requirements

Course	Course Title	Credits
BIOS 6030	Introduction to Biostatistics	3
EPID 6030	Epidemiology Methods I	3
EPID 6230	Computer Packages for Epidemiology	2
EPID 7120	Epidemiologic Methods II	3
BIOS 6040	Intermediate Biostatistics	3
EPID 7130	Observational Epidemiology	3
BMSP 7770	Systems Biology	3
BMSP 6070	Advanced Cell Biology	3
MSCR 7070	Introduction to Molecular Medicine	3
MSCR 6420	Responsible Conduct of Research / Ethics	1
MSCR 6430	Topics in Clinical Research	3
MSCR 6440	Protocol Design and Writing	3
BIOS 7400	Clinical Trials	3
MSCR 7090	Grant Writing	3
EPID 9980	Master's Thesis (Research Project)	0

This degree program has been developed jointly between the Tulane School of Medicine and the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Clinical Fellows participating in the MS-CR Program also continue to complete their individual clinical training program requirements.

Thesis Requirement

Students enrolled in the MS program are required to complete a thesis which will demonstrate an ability to interpret current literature and conduct epidemiologic analysis.  The completed thesis must constitute the equivalent of one epidemiologic paper that meets the current standards of publication in refereed journals.  Students must also defend the purpose, methods and results of the thesis research in an oral presentation.  MS degree requirements must be completed within 2 years after the student first enrolls as a master's student, if full-time, and one year post completion of coursework for part-time students. For more information on this requirement, read the Thesis Outline.

Model Course Schedule

For additional information: contact Therese Carter, tcarter1@tulane.edu, 504.988.6809.