Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience)

The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience) is aimed at people from medical and allied health professions (such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists etc) and others with a science-based background and qualifications seeking the opportunity to complete specialist formal training in a specific Clinical Research discipline.

The two subjects required to complete the course are delivered by staff from the Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Neurosciences, a multi-disciplinary clinical research group focusing on producing innovative patient-centred research, training and education into stroke, epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Graduates of the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience) will:

• Have a high-level understanding of the major activities involved in planning clinical research methodologies applicable to problems in neurological disease;
• Have a sound knowledge of the overlap with basic science advances across the neuroscience field and a good understanding of clinical synergies;
• Have gained insights into the broad "hot topics" in neuroscience research and be able to generate useful discussions and ideas;
• Be able to analyse and critically appraise the clinical and basic neuroscience literature in a chosen topic of interest;
• Be able to apply this knowledge through creating new ideas for clinical research projects;
• Be able to work in teams and effectively communicate clinical research findings;
• Demonstrate a high level of understanding of various advanced clinical research techniques that have broad application to many areas of neuroscience;
• Understand clinical research applications of brain imaging techniques;
• Understand the need for multi-disciplinary integration in clinical research and be able to establish appropriate collaborations across disciplines;
• Have gained insights into current research applications of these techniques across the various neuroscience disciplines;
• Be able to develop innovative strategies to investigate clinical neuroscience research questions to pursue in response to particular neurological problems; and
• Have achieved a level of competency enabling them to create and conduct high quality clinical neuroscience research projects from the original concept through to submission of competitive research proposals.

To satisfy the requirements of the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience), students must complete 25 points.

Students came complete either 2, 12.5 subjects, or 1, 25 points subject.

Option 1: 2 subjects worth 12.5 points each

Option 2: 1 subject worth 25 points

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

2. In ranking and/or assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic qualification and performance; and
• the professional experience.

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.

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research - Neuroscience welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree 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 degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives 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 course are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Student Equity and Disability Support Team : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

On successful completion of the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience) students will be eligible for 25 points credit towards the Graduate Diploma and Masters courses 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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