Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Program: Curriculum

Clinical Research Curriculum - Goals To develop competencies to design, conduct, and lead rigorous, hypothesis-driven clinical and translational research. To become conversant in the science and methods of various disciplines. To work effectively within collaborative multidisciplinary teams.

Core Competencies Clinical Research Disciplines Methodological and Analytical Strategies Professional Development Responsible Conduct of Research

Curriculum Content Formal Courses Short Courses Seminars Mentored Research Experiences

Formal Courses EPID 805/806 (4 hrs/week) – Overview clinical, translational, health services research EPID 711 (3 hrs/week; fall) – Clinical & epidemiological research methods BIOS 541 (4 hrs/week; fall) – Introduction to biostatistics BIOS 542 (4 hrs/week; spring; not required of all) – Application of biostatistics

Short Courses Introduction to Clinical Research – 1 week, summer Responsible Conduct of Research – 1 week, summer

Seminars Clinical Research Curriculum – Epid 896 – 2 hrs, weekly Roadmap K12 Scholars Seminar – twice monthly

Research Experiences Mentored Research Internship (Year 1) - ½ year, weekly, ½ day experience or 1 – 2 week full time experience - may be at UNC or off-campus Mentored Research Project (Year 1) - preliminary studies, mentored project Independent Research Project (Years 2-3)

“Typical” Schedule – Year 1 Summer – Short courses (Intro & Ethics) - Research internship - Begin EPID 805 Fall (  10 hours/week) – EPID 805 / EPID 711/ BIOS 541; K30 CRC Seminar; Mentored research project Spring (  8 hours/week) – EPID 806/ BIOS 542; K30 CRC Seminar (EPID 896); Mentored research project

“Typical” Schedule – Year 2 Additional coursework, if needed K30 CRC Seminar (EPID 896) Individual Research Project

FAQ – Will a scholar have to take all the formal courses? The formal courses are “required” unless a scholar can demonstrate either previous coursework or lack of relevance to his/her career development. EPID 805/806 and Roadmap K12 seminar participation is required of all scholars.

FAQ – Can a scholar earn a degree? Yes, enrolling in a master’s or PhD program is possible. Most courses and seminars are available for credit. A new MSCR program is being developed. It is currently under review by the University.

FAQ – What if other coursework is more relevant for a scholar? The program is intended to serve the needs of clinical researchers, broadly defined. If a scholar has special needs, for example in qualitative methods, the curriculum can be adapted to their needs.