Postgraduate - CourseMaster of Clinical Research Methods

Students who commenced study in 2015 should refer to this course entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course.

print version

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2015 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Course code	2311
Managing faculty	Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Abbreviated title	MClinResMeth
CRICOS code	072000D
Total credit points required	72
Standard duration of study (years)	1.5 years FT, 3 years PT This course must be completed in a minimum of 1.5 years and a maximum of 5 years. The course duration is inclusive of any periods of intermission.
Study mode and location	On-campus (Alfred Hospital) Off-campus (Alfred Hospital) This course is only available to international students in on-campus mode. Off-campus students are required to attend a number of compulsory blocks of on-site study days.
Admission, fee and application details	http://www.monash.edu/study/coursefinder/course/2311
Contact details	School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine: telephone +61 3 9903 0563; email pgradenq@monash.edu or visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad/
Course coordinator	Dr Sylvia Pomeroy

Notes

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Description

This course, offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, assists health professionals make rational evidence-based decisions in clinical practice and undertake small clinical research projects.

Clinical epidemiology draws on epidemiological methods to answer clinical questions relevant to the daily practice of health care and to improve patient care. It focuses on individuals or groups of patients in clinical settings.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

demonstrate a detailed understanding of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics
become familiar with clinical research methodology, including randomised controlled trials
demonstrate an ability to critically appraise the quantitative epidemiological literature
appreciate the contribution of systematic reviews to evidence-based practice
demonstrate an ability to apply the principles of clinical epidemiology to clinical practice
display a working knowledge of other applications of epidemiology
develop a research protocol and undertake an epidemiological research project with a clinical focus.

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments, examinations, class participation, web-based tasks, and optional supervised research project.

Structure

This course consists of nine core units, plus either three electives or one elective and a minor research project.

Requirements

Core units

MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
MPH5041 Introductory biostatistics
MPH5200 Regression methods for epidemiology
MPH5202 Clinical epidemiology
MPH5213 Research methods
MPH5236 Clinical trials
MPH5237 Clinical measurement
MPH5239 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis
MPH5283 Ethics, good research practice and practical research skills

Elective options

Students must complete one of the following

minor research project (7,000 - 8,000 words) and one elective from the list below
three electives from the list below

Elective units

MAP4200 Improving indigenous equity in professional practice
MPH5207 Chronic diseases: Epidemiology and prevention
MPH5218 Infectious diseases: Epidemiology and prevention
MPH5256 Injury epidemiology and prevention*
MPH5270 Advanced statistical methods for clinical research
MPH5277 Data management and computing*

* Not offered in 2015.

Areas of study

Clinical research methods

Progression to further studies

Students who complete this course and achieve a minimum of a distinction (70 per cent) average may qualify for admission into higher degrees by research including course 3438 Master of Philosophy and 0047 Doctor of Philosophy, among others.

Alternative exit(s)

Students wishing to exit this course may apply to graduate with one of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

3416 Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Methods
0702 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research Methods.

Award(s)

Master of Clinical Research Methods