The mission of the program is to equip students with the skills needed for independent clinical research.

Objectives of the program are to identify a research question, operationalize a hypothesis, formulate a study protocol, determine the necessary sample size for acceptable statistical power, select the appropriate statistical analysis techniques and be sufficiently familiar with SPSS and/or SAS to perform the statistical analysis (in consultation with a biostatistician), write their results for presentation and publication and prepare a grant application.

Students seeking the M.Sc. degree must have a professional degree (e.g., D.M.D., D.O., M.D. or Ph.D.), a terminal degree in a health field, or a graduate degree with appropriate experience in health care or clinical research.

Applicants must complete all forms for admission to the University of Louisville Office of Graduate Admissions and must meet the Graduate School’s requirements for admission which are:

• Formal application.
• Application fee.
• At least 2 letters of recommendation.
• Official transcripts of all college work.

NOTE- The GRE is not required if a terminal degree has already been completed.

These items are required no later than thirty days before the first day of classes of the semester in which the applicant plans to enroll.

Prospective students are also required to submit the following items with their application:

• Resume/CV.
• A statement describing the applicant’s qualifications, including prior experience in clinical research or health care, proposed (general) area of research and career plans.

The 25 credit-hours of required course work provide students with a broad base of knowledge in epidemiologic research methods, biostatistics, bioethics and the methodologies of health services and outcomes research. Early in their first semester M.Sc. students are required to identify a faculty member who will serve as a mentor. The M.Sc. in Clinical Investigation Sciences can be completed in two years. However, a three-year option is also available.

• PHCI 501 - From Bench to Bedside:
  Introduction to Clinical Research 1

• PHCI 611 - Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology 2
• PHST 600 - Introduction to Biostatistics 3
• PHCI 631 - Social and Behavioral Science in Health Care 2
• PHCI 610 - New Drug and Device
  Development 2
• PHCI 699 - Mentored Research

• PHEP 602 -Epidemiological Methods 3
• PHCI 629 - Special Topics: Epidemiological Methods 1
• PHCI 624 - Clinical Trials I 2
• PHCI 632 - Ethical Conduct of Health Care Research 2
• PHCI 699 - Mentored Research

• PHCI 601 - Evaluating the Health Care
  Literature 1
• PHCI 699 - Mentored Research

• PHCI 625 - Clinical Trials II 2
• PHCI 650 - Medical Decision Analysis 2
• PHCI 602 - Health Services and Outcomes Research 2
• PHCI 699 - Mentored Research

• PHCI 699 - Mentored Research

W. Paul McKinney, M.D.
Professor

Richard Baumgartner, Ph.D.
Professor

Carlton A. Hornung, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor

Rob Steiner, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor

Osborne P. Wiggins, Ph.D.
Professor

L. Jane Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Ruth Carrico, Ph.D., R.N.
Assistant Professor

Frank Groves, MD
Assistant Professor

Steven McCabe, M.D., M.Sc.
Assistant Professor

Susan B. Muldoon, M.P.H., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Chenxi Wang, MD, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Cathy R. Whalen, Pharm D.
Assistant Professor