Frederic C. Bartter
General Clinical Research Center (GCRC)
Master's of
Science Degree in Clinical Investigation (MSCI)
Structure of the Program
The MSCI Degree program at UTHSCSA consists of 10 required integrated courses plus a mentored research project. Full time students may expect to complete the MSCI Program in two years. The courses are listed as MEDI in the UTHSCSA Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Catalog. The courses, course numbers, and time (Semester Credit Hours – SCH) cover the following topics:
Mentored Research Project (MEDI 6097 - 3 SCH) – Participants enroll in three hours of mentored research for each of four semesters of the MSCI program. Completion of the MSCI program is contingent on students identifying a research mentor and presenting a proposal of their work. The mentor provides a letter of support and mentoring plan. The project is reviewed by the MSCI Committee on Graduate Studies (made up by the MSCI Course Leaders) and Advisory Committee (including representatives from each of the five UTHSCSA Schools plus the School of Public Health). The research project and mentoring plan must be approved prior to enrolling in research credit in the MSCI Program. The research project is expected to culminate in either (a) one full-length research manuscript submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed scientific journal or (b) a thesis for the MSCI program.
- Patient Oriented Clinical Research Methods – this multi-sequence is integrated with the Biostatistics series. Within each course, specific examples and topics are discussed related to cross cultural research, e.g., issues related to acculturation and recruitment:
1. Semester 1 (MEDI 5071 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include Defining a Research Question, Cross-sectional Studies, and Case-Control Studies.
Required materials: Designing Clinical Research: An Epidemiologic Approach. by:Stephen B. Hulley, Steven R. Cummings, Warren S. Browner. Publisher: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. ISBN 0781722187
2. Semester 2 (MEDI 6060 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include Observational Prospective Studies, Non-Randomized Intervention Studies, Experimental Intervention Studies, and Information Synthesis.
- Patient Oriented Clinical Research Biostatistics – this multi-semester sequence is integrated with the Patient Oriented Clinical Research Study Design series:
The MSCI program does require each student to have an Intel-based laptop computer with
the capacity to connect to the Internet via a wireless connection. Also required are Microsoft Office Suite (can be purchased
at the UTHSCSA bookstore with student ID) and Intercooled Stata 10.0
(http://www.stata.com/order/new/edu/gradplans/gp-campus.html).
All wireless laptops not purchased through UTHSCSA must be have current anti-virus software installed. If you do not, you will be blocked out
of the network.1. Semester 1 (MEDI 5072 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include Probability Distributions, Sample Size Calculations, Hypothesis Testing, Odds Ratios and Logistic Regression.
Required materials: How to Report Statistics in Medicine: Annotated Guidelines for Authors, Editors, and Reviewers. by: Thomas Lang, Michelle Secic. Publisher: American College of Physicians. ISBN 0943126444
2. Semester 2 (MEDI 6061 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include Analysis of Variance, Survival Analysis, Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, and Methods of Meta-Analysis.
- Data Management, Quality Control, and Regulatory Issues (MEDI 5074 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include Computerized Data Management, Internal and External Quality Control, Preserving Confidentiality and compliance with Federal Regulations (e.g. HIPAA).
- Integration of Molecular Biology with Patient Oriented Clinical Research (MEDI 5073 - 2 SCH) – this combination lecture and laboratory course will introduce participants to basic techniques used in molecular medicine. The first part of the semester is spent in seminars and group labs. The second part of the semester is spent in a 40 hour practicum where students are assigned to a specific UTHSCSA research lab – the practicum schedule is flexible and depends on arrangements between the student and laboratory.
Required materials: Introduction to Molecular Medicine. 3rd Edition. By: D. W. Ross. Publisher: Springer-Verlag, New York- Responsible Conduct or Patient Oriented Research (MEDI 5070 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include the history and evolution of the ethical codes and regulations governing research involving human subjects, the process of writing a consent form, and scientific integrity.
- Scientific Writing (MEDI 5075 - 2 SCH) – Covered topics include instruction in writing effective titles, abstracts, papers, and grants. Practical aspects of using bibliographic software and presentation software are also covered. Participants have the opportunity to present their own research during this course and receive feedback from their peers.
Health Services Research (MEDI 6065 - 2 SCH) - Topics include basic methods; relevant databases and data sources; current issues; interpretation of published reports; incorporation of concepts, methods and tools into current research.
Grantsmanship and Peer Review (MEDI 6064 – 1 SCH) – This is an elective course. Topics covered include funding agencies/missions/deadlines/instructions; institutional grantsmanship issues; NIH organization; NIH awards and study sections; process & communications with the NIH; interpreting/responding to written critiques; study section meeting; and grantsmanship after funding.
Instrument Development and Validation - (MEDI 6066 1 SCH) This is an elective course. Topics include Methods of Development and Evaluation of Self-Report Measures, Classical Test Theories, Forms of Reliability and Validity Evidence.
Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology - (MEDI 60671 SCH) This is an elective course. Topics covered include current concepts and methods used in patient-oriented genetic studies, including genetic epidemiologic studies, applications of microarray technologies, and pharmacogenetics.
Overview of MSCI program
Pathways to
completing the MSCI program
Timeline
MSCI
Checklist for application
Course
Schedules & Syllabi
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Date page last modified: 12/11/07 01:12 PM
