Clinical Research in Oncology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

Students should expect to undertake a minimum of 160 hours research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully.

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For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject has been designed to bring together a multi-disciplinary group of candidates (students) and give them a broad understanding of the essential elements / features of successful research activities and research careers in oncology.

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

• Understand the breadth of opportunity for clinical research in oncology
• Be familiar with all types of research design conducted within oncology clinical research
• Understand the various outcomes assessed by oncology clinical trials, including how and why these might differ from other disciplines
• Be familiar with surrogate endpoints, derived from laboratory and functional imaging studies
• Be familiar with ethical and legal considerations relevant to clinical research in oncology
• Understand all aspects of the concept outline / protocol development
• Understand the process and requirements for successful conduct of clinical research in oncology
• Critically appraise research presentations and publications in oncology research

On successful completion of four assignments (inclusive of one hurdle) and one multiple-choice examination, a Specialist Certification in Clinical Research (Oncology) will be awarded.

• Three 3,000 word individual assignments, each worth 25% of the marks for the subject
• One group assignment (15-minute presentation and 10-minute discussion) – hurdle (0%)
• One 1-hour examination worth 25%

Regardless of any other marks, the hurdle requirement must be met before the student is able to pass the subject.

In order to pass this subject, students must achieve a minimum of 50% in each assessment component and meet the hurdle requirement.

It is estimated that students will spend around 10-20 hours completing each of the three individual assignments. Assignment One is due three weeks after completion of the Part One Teaching Block. Assignment Two is due six weeks later. A written, multiple-choice paper will be held on the last day of the second Teaching Block. Students should allocate time to study for the examination before and during the Part Two Teaching Block (and may wish to use the free day on the Thursday in June). Assignment Three is a hurdle. It is a small group based assignment, with different groups each presenting elements of a full study protocol. The presentation will also be made on the last day of the second teaching block. Assignment Four is due three weeks after the completion of the Part Two Teaching Block.

Students will be provided with articles and references that support the teaching program as part of their course materials

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.