Degrees Offered
MS, Certificate
Program Description
The MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Concentration) is a 30-credit program designed specifically to meet the needs of clinicians and scientists by providing a combination of coursework and research experiences needed for a successful career in clinical investigation. Students may select from multiple concentration areas: epidemiologic research, patient-oriented research, outcomes/health services research, human genetics, and research ethics.
Tracks are not required; however, they provide a focus on specific clinical research methods. Other graduate school courses may be taken if a track is not selected.
Track options for MS:
Epidemiologic Research (6 credits)
Gerontology (9 credits)
Patient Oriented Research (6 credits)
Human Genetics (7 credits)
Outcomes/Health Services Research (6 credits)
Please note that selecting a track is NOT a concentration, and will not appear on an official transcript or diploma.
Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students will gain the ability to identify important research questions, develop research protocols, select appropriate study designs, generate pilot data, conduct clinical investigations, analyze, and write the results in a publishable form, and develop and submit grant proposals. The program will prepare students to be competitive in seeking external support and be knowledgeable in the complex issues associated with conducting sound clinical research. A total of 30 credits is required for the degree, which can be completed on a part-time basis within two years. Students may select from multiple concentration areas including Epidemiologic Research, Patient-Oriented Research, Human Genetics, Outcomes/Health Services Research, and Research Ethics.
The Certificate in Clinical Research is a 13-credit program that provides training in the core competencies of clinical research, including study design, biostatistics, data management, scientific communication, and the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues in clinical research. The certificate is designed specifically to meet the needs of busy clinicians and scientists who wish to gain skills in the conduct of clinical research but are not able to complete the MS in Epidemiology - Clinical Research track.
Program Admission
Degree-seeking students are admitted into the program during the fall semester only. The MS and certificate application deadline is May 15 of the year in which the student intends to enroll. Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) are mandatory; Medical College Admission Test scores may replace GRE scores for physician applicants. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS), applicants should have completed coursework in biology relevant to understanding health and disease processes and have taken college-level math. The program evaluates each applicant individually with attention to areas of strength that relate to the skills and background necessary to succeed in graduate study in epidemiology and human genetics.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses: Certificate in Clinical Research
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 616 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT UMB | 2 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| Or | |
| PREV 730 | INTRO TO R STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | 1-6 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 633 | APPLICATION OFLEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH | 2 |
| PREV 710 | CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 1 TO 2 |
| CIPP 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Required Courses: MS Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Concentration)
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 616 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT UMB | 2 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| Or | |
| PREV 730 | INTRO TO R STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | 1-6 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 633 | APPLICATION OFLEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH | 2 |
| PREV 710 | CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 1 TO 2 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| CIPP 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| | |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| And | |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| Or | |
| PREV 799 | MASTER'S THESIS RESEARCH | 1 TO 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
MS: Epidemiologic Research Track
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
MS: Gerontology Track
MS: Human Genetics Track
| HGEN 601 | BASIC HUMAN GENETICS I | 4 |
| PREV 711 | GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
MS: Outcomes/Health Services Research Track
| PREV 648 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SYSTEM AND HEALTH POLICY MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PREV 758 | HEALTH SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
MS: Patient Oriented Research Track
| PHAR 601 | PRINCIPLES OF DRUG DEVELOPMENT | 1 TO 3 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
part of this catalog.