Master of Clinical Research

The purpose of this course is to provide individuals from medical and allied health professions (such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists etc) and others with a science-based background and qualifications the opportunity to complete advanced formal training in Clinical Research.

Graduates of the Masters in Clinical Research will possess:

• A comprehensive understanding of the broad area of clinical research and issues associated with good clinical practice, ethics and regulations, as well as analytical and project and team management techniques.
• A comprehensive foundation in the methods and rationales of clinical research in a relevant clinical speciality research area.
• The ability to acquire and create knowledge about clinical research
• High level analytic and problem solving skills using techniques acquired during the course and independent critical thinking in their field of relevant clinical speciality
• The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in the independent design and implementation of a significant research project through to completion in a practical setting
• The ability to write scholarly papers and present their research findings in a peer environment, such as a specialist conference or seminar

To satisfy the requirements of the Masters award (by coursework) students will complete subjects and a research project or minor research thesis accumulating a total of 150 points.

Students must complete the following 4 core subjects (50 credit points)

And choose an equivalent of 50 credit points from the list below.

And choose either the 50 credit point Clinical Research Thesis OR the 25 credit point Research Project and another 25 credit points of electives choosing from the list above.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in medicine, an allied health profession, science or social science, and
• at least one year of documented, relevant professional work experience in a medical, scientific or allied health environment.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• the research experience or evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research; and
• the capacity of a participating department to provide adequate supervision in a research project appropriate to the interests and preparation of the individual applicant.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

· Academically excellent:

o have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship

o have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)

o reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication

o be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning

o be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies

· Knowledgeable across disciplines:

o examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines

o expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects

o have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems

o have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment

· Leaders in communities:

o initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces

o have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations

o mentor future generations of learners

o engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community

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Please refer to the subjects offered in this course.