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Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Sciences

Major: CISCMSC
Degree Awarded: MSc.
Unit: GH
Program Webpage: http://louisville.edu/sphis/academics/academics.html


Program Information

The M.Sc. in Clinical Investigation Sciences is offered in the School’s Clinical Research, Epidemiology and Statistics Training (CREST) Program. The M.Sc. degree program provides physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals an opportunity to acquire the clinical research skills necessary for a career in an academic health center.  The M.Sc. is offered also as a joint degree with the M.D..

The CREST curriculum integrates biostatistical and epidemiologic methods in a problem-based learning format with additional instruction in bioethics, health economics, health services and outcomes research and social and behavioral science. Students pursuing the master degree take didactic courses while they engage in mentored and independent research that culminates in the preparation of a professional paper.

Admission

Applicants should have a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and, in most cases, should have completed a professional doctoral degree (e.g., DM.D., D.O., M.D.) or academic degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent. Other applicants with research experience may be considered (e.g., research coordinator).

The following are additionally required for admission:

  1. Graduate application (see https://graduate.louisville.edu/apply) submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies (SIGS).
  2. Non-refundable application fee.
  3. At least two letters of recommendation written within past twelve months (can be submitted with form at https://graduate.louisville.edu/apply). 
  4. Submission of GRE score to SIGS (no minimum score required).  This is not required if you have an M.D. degree or other terminal degree. 
  5. All postsecondary transcripts (may require foreign credential evaluation if not from accredited U.S. institution).
  6. Statement of goals submitted to the department office (must include desired academic and degree program).
  7. Foreign credential evaluation is required for each degree not from an accredited U.S. institution. This requirement may be waived, with approval by the dean, for degrees not considered to be relevant to evaluation of the applicant or whose transcript requires no foreign credential evaluation. 
  8. International students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by one of:
  • Award of a degree from an accredited U.S. institution
  • Official TOEFL score of 100 or higher (iBT, or Internet-Based Test), 250 or higher (CBT, or Computer-Based Test), or 600 or higher (PBT, or Paper-Based Test)
  • Official documentation of passing the exit examination for the advanced level of the Intensive English as a Second Language Program at the University of Louisville

 



Curriculum


Degree Requirements

Coursework

Epidemiology7
Research design and statistics11
Effectiveness and outcomes7
Mentored research6
Electives3
Total credit hours of required coursework31

 

Required Coursework

Semester

Course #

Course Title

Credit-Hours

Summer I

 

Elective (optional)

0 or 1

Semester Total

0 or 1

 

Fall I

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

Semester Total

9

 

Spring I

PHEP-602

Epidemiological Methods

3

PHCI-629

Special Topics: Epidemiological Methods

1

PHCI-624

Clinical Trials I

2

PHCI-632

Ethical Conduct of Research

2

Semester Total

8

 

Summer II

PHCI-601

Evaluating Health Care Literature

1

Semester Total

1

 

Fall II

PHCI-625

Clinical Trials II

2

 

PHCI-650

Medical Decision Analysis

2

 

 

Elective

3 or 2

 

Semester Total

7 or 6

 

Spring II

PHCI-699

Mentored Research

6

 

Semester Total

6

 

Degree Total

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electives

There are two options for the three elective credit-hours, given in the following table. The choice of elective option and courses must be approved by the faculty advisor and program director.

Elective Options

 Semester

 Course #

 Course Title

 Credit-Hours

Summer I

PHCI-501

From Bench to Bedside

1

Fall II

PHCI-602

Health Services and Outcomes Research

2

Total

3

-- OR --

Fall II

 

Elective

3

Total

3

 






Thesis or Professional Paper

A thesis or professional paper, based on original research conducted by the student, is required of a candidate for the degree of master of science in clinical investigation sciences. It is to be an original work of professional quality and a scholarly achievement that demonstrates the student’s thorough understanding of research techniques in clinical research and the ability to conduct independent research. 

Dual Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Clinical Investigation Sciences

 

Students admitted to the University of Louisville School of Medicine can enroll in the dual M.D.- M.Sc. program with only one additional year of study beyond the traditional four-year medical school curriculum. Medical students in the dual M.D.-M.Sc. program begin the M.Sc. course work after completing one year of clinical training (i.e., the third year of medical school). Dual-degree students spend the fall and spring semesters of their fourth year and the summer and fall semesters of their fifth year completing the M.Sc. course work. They complete their professional paper or thesis for the M.Sc. degree and their clinical rotations for the M.D. degree in the spring semester of their fifth year. Graduates of the program can expect to be highly competitive for residency and fellowship positions at prestigious institutions.

 

Required Coursework

Semester

Course #

Course Title

Credit-Hours

Fall IV

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

Semester Total

9

 

Spring IV

PHEP-602

Epidemiological Methods

3

PHCI-629

Special Topics: Epidemiological Methods

1

PHCI-624

Clinical Trials I

2

PHCI-632

Ethical Conduct of Research

2

 

M.D. clinical elective(s) (2-10 credit-hours)

 

Semester Total

8

 

Fall V

PHCI-625

Clinical Trials II

2

PHCI-601

Evaluating Health Care Literature

1

PHCI-650

Medical Decision Analysis

2

 

Elective

3

 

M.D. clinical rotation(s)

 

Semester Total

8

 

Spring V

PHCI-699

Mentored Research

6

 

 

M.D. clinical rotation(s)

 

 

Semester Total

6

 

Degree Total (for M.Sc.)

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electives

 

There are two options for the three elective credit-hours, given in the following table. The choice of elective option and courses must be approved by the faculty advisor and program director.

 

Elective Options

Semester

Course #

Course Title

Credit-Hours

Fall V

PHCI-501

From Bench to Bedside

1

PHCI-602

Health Services and Outcomes Research

2

Total

3

-- OR --

Fall V

 

Elective

3

Total

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHCI-699 Mentored Research

 

The student has the choice of when to take these credit-hours based on how he or she arranges financial assistance. Options are take all of the credit-hours in Fall V, take all in Spring V, or split the credit-hours between the two semesters. If all credit-hours are taken in Fall V, the student must register for one credit-hour of master’s candidacy in Spring V.



Departmental Faculty


Guy Brock, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor 

Somnath Datta, Ph.D.

Professor 

Susmita Datta, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 

Robert J. Esterhay, M.D.

Acting Chair 

L. Jane Goldsmith, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 

Seongho Kim, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor 

Maiying Kong, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor 

Steven J. McCabe, M.D., M.Sc.

Assistant Professor 

John A. Myers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor 

Rudolph S. Parrish, Ph.D.

Professor 

Shesh Rai, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 

Dongfeng Wu, Ph.D.

Associate Professor



Contact Information

Clinical Investigation Sciences - MSc

Susan B. Muldoon, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Director
CREST Program
(502)852-8087
sbmuld01@louisville.edu
 

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