Professional Certificate in Clinical Research

The Professional Certificate award is an introductory postgraduate award that enables a small commitment to study, and a pathway to pursue more significant postgraduate study at a later date.

Full credit for completion of the Professional Certificate is given into the next level of award, that is, the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research.

Graduates of the Professional Certificate in Clinical Research will have:

• An introduction to some of the methods and rationales of clinical research
• A basic understanding of the nomenclature and processes of study designs and analytic methods used in clinical research
• An ability to articulate their knowledge in an appropriate form
• An appreciation of how to create and acquire knowledge within their discipline

The Professional Certificate requires completion of 25 points of coursework, which is equivalent to two of the subjects listed below, one of which must be Study Design in Clinical Research Tools.

Students must complete 2, 12.5 subjects and once of those must be Study Design in Clinical Research Tools.

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

On successful completion of the Professional Certificate in Clinical Research students will be eligible for 25 points credit towards the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research

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 needs

· Attuned to cultural diversity:

o value different cultures

o be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work

o have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community

o respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

· Active global citizens:

o accept social and civic responsibilities

o be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment

have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

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Please refer to the website.