MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL RESEARCH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

MSCR 600: Pathophysiology (2 credit units)
This course identifies abnormal physiologic state of disease topics: basic concepts of disease processes, musculoskeletal disorder, skin disorder, lymphatic disorder, cardiovascular disorder, eye disorder, respiratory disorder, endocrine disorder, digestive disorder, urinary disorder and the neurologic disorder.

MSCR 610: Medical Law and Ethics (3 credit units)
Through past/current examples, lectures and discussion groups, the student will learn the principles and concepts in determining the proper approach to solving ethical dilemmas one might encounter in research.

MSCR 620: Introduction to Pharmacology (3 credit units)
Introduction to the principles of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics and dose response relationships is explored. DNA and major classes of therapeutic agents are covered with attention to their mechanisms of action. This course also addresses issues of concern in drug development and the biological bases for population variability in drug response.

MSCR 650: Epidemiology (2 credit units)
An examination of the distribution and dynamics of human health problems on the community level and exploration of the scientific investigations used to determine circumstances under which diseases occur or health prevails.

MSCR 655: Physical Diagnosis (1 credit unit)
This course is designed to provide students with fundamentals cognitive knowledge of interviewing, formulating write-ups and physical assessment techniques. Techniques of screening, pre- operative physical examinations, lectures, and demonstrations are explored.

MSCR 657: Toxicology (2 credit units)
A study of the entry, distribution, biotransformation, and mechanism of action of chemical agents harmful to the body is explored.

MSCR 658: Oncology (3 credit units)
Students receive a baseline understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of cancer; discuss the cancer types and treatment modalities, identify common cancer complications, discuss supportive care issues, and identify key health care professionals involved in cancer care/research.

MSCR 659: Health Care Financial Management (3 credit units)
A study of effective management of financial resources in health care facilities is explored. The course further focuses on the basic concepts of cost accounting, financial reporting, reimbursement, budgeting, financial controls, and strategic financial planning.

MSCR 660: Introduction to Drug Development (3 credit units) This course introduces students to the history of the FDA and drug development. It describes the science of biotechnology, medical devices, and biopharmaceuticals, taking the student through the history of the industry and covers the basic science of DNA and its functions, immunology, proteins and their purification, and fundamental techniques used in the research and development of biotechnological and bio-pharmaceutical products. Includes an overview of drug approval by the FDA, introduces students to the pharmaceutical industry, the bio-pharmaceutical industry, and the drug development process. Drug development from chemical synthesis to phases 1-4 is discussed. The regulatory requirements of the FDA are reviewed along with the content of the investigational new drug application (IND), the new drug application (NDA), and the marketing authorization application (international). The role of the investigator, coordinator, sponsor, clinical research associate and monitor are discussed. Individuals are exposed to the skills necessary to function as a successful study monitor.

MSCR 662: Regulatory & Compliance Issues (2 credit units)
This course addresses the regulatory requirements necessary to take a product from basic research through clinical trials. Topics include pre-clinical safety and testing requirements, IND components, manufacturing and products quality regulations and guidelines, and the regulatory requirements for clinical trials. The focus is on therapeutics, diagnostic agents, and devices. The development of these components is discussed from a regulatory standpoint.

MSCR 664: Advanced Regulatory Issues* (2 credit units)
Details of FDA guidelines for the development and commercialization of drugs, devices, and biologics is explored. The documents and forms required for the entire process are covered, as well as international harmonization regulatory concerns and establishment license applications (ELA). *Prerequisite: MSCR 662 Regulatory & Compliance Issues

MSCR 665: Medical Device (3 credit units)
A study of the medical product development process, regulatory requirements for medical devices, and their quality systems is explored.

MSCR 670: Biostatistics (2.5 credit units)
Risk and causality; comparing therapies: The randomized controlled clinical trial, normal (gaussian) distribution, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, tests of statistical significance-Chi-square procedures, quantification of risks, Tests of statistical significance: Regression and correlation paired and pooled tests, analysis of variance. Lecture and laboratory consist of training in the following software: SPSS, SAS and if time permits Minitab statistical software. *Prerequisite: MSCR 668

MSCR 672: Design & Conduct of Clinical Trials (3 credit units)
Covers the history and current methodologies used in the design and conduct of clinical trials. Topics include sample selection; data forms and management; patient recruitment, enrollment, and compliance; and measures of cost containment and effectiveness. The role of the varied individuals who accomplish the success of clinical trials, i.e., the pi, coordinator, CRA, Sponsor, Monitor is explored. The need and value of integrity within work without compromise is also explored. The importance of being self- motivated and willing to work on one’s own is also explored.

MSCR 674: Clinical Study Administration I (3 credit units)
This course is an overview of the development contents and process of the clinical research study. Topics include protocols, case report forms, investigator brochures, informed consent, institutional review boards, and statement of investigator form 1572.

MSCR 676: Clinical Study Administration II (3 credit units)
Expands upon the processes of study management, topics include source documents verification, visit types, drug accountability, adverse events, laboratory, and supplies. *Prerequisite: MSCR 674 Clinical Study Administrations I

MSCR 678: Advanced Topics in Clinical Study Management (3 credit units)
This capstone experience utilizes the background materials presented before to develop concepts of negotiation, presentations, time management, travel smarts as they pertain to the role of clinical research associates. In addition, record keeping, data management, and data correction techniques are presented.

MSCR 680: Multiple Project Management Skills (2.5 credit units)
This course is designed to give clinical research associates and coordinators the skills necessary to manage large and small projects such as research protocols and studies. Students develop, manage, and present a project using the computer, utilizing techniques such as charts, critical paths, written reports, and visual presentations. Projects are tracked and managed using comparisons of initial baselines of forecasts with ongoing and final results.

MSCR 682: Good Clinical Practices (3 credit units)
This course introduces the regulatory responsibilities of the sponsors, monitors and investigators conducting clinical trials. Practical information and exercises designed for the clinical trial professional on procedures for ensuring GCP compliance from an industry perspective. Topics include identifying and selecting qualified investigators, obtaining ethical approval toenroll patients and initiating site visits successfully. In addition, covers issues related to collecting required regulatory documentation, verifying high quality data. Maintaining study materials, accountability, and reporting serious adverse events. Group discussions and guest speakers help students learn the practical skills used in the field. The need for and importance of standard operating procedures.

MSCR 685: Audits and Inspection (1.5 credit units)
Audits that reference particular guidelines in the CFR are explored.

MSCR 686: Clinical Trials Business Development (1.5 credit units) Issues which make up the business development side of research or establishing an investigational group are explored. This course is inclusive of the setting up of the office and the recruitment of patients, arranging investigator meetings and financial cost issues, and the managing and tracking of expenditures, etc.

MSCR 687: Clinical Trials Materials (1 credit unit)
This course explores the forms their correct usage and flow in the clinical trial process. In addition, this course also reviews what happens at closeout visits and reconciliation of GCP materials.

MSCR 689: Special Issues in Clinical Research (1.5 credit units) Students examine clinical investigations through analysis of two randomized clinical trials.

MSCR 690: Medical/Technical Writing (3 credit units)
To supply students with the necessary and basic tools needed for medical/technical writing of reports, proposals, grants, and other documentation as part of clinical research.

MSCR 691: Grant Writing (2.5 credit units)
Finding and developing proposals for public and private funds, writing corporate proposals, writing government proposals, editing techniques, search engines. Grant reviews and funding decisions. Students will write and submit an actual grant by the end of the class. Oral presentation of the grant proposal is also required of each student.

MSCR 697 and MSCR 698: Preceptorship-Clinical Research Practicum* (16 credit units)
The preceptorship is a three–month, full time experience, which occurs both in either a clinical setting or clinical research organizational setting. Students will interact with clinical research associates, clinical research coordinators, and clinical scientists in a workplace setting to develop and polish clinical research coordinating and monitoring skills. *Prerequisite: Completed all required coursework in the catalog.

MSCR 699A – THESIS/PROJECT* (3 credit units/No In-Class Time)
With the guidance of a faculty committee, each student begins task of writing the thesis. Students meet with their individual committee to begin the thesis project. Completion of this activity helps to develop the students’ abilities for critical review of literature, understanding key health care issues and communicating with precision, cogency, and force. *Prerequisite: Completion of all didactic coursework and certification for candidacy must be accomplished during this term.

MSCR 699B – THESIS/PROJECT* (3 credit units/No In-Class Time)
Continuing with the guidance of a faculty committee, each student continues the process of writing the thesis. Completion of this term allows the students to continue directed work towards the completion of the thesis. *Prerequisite: MSCR 699A

MSCR 699C – THESIS/PROJECT* (3 credit units/No In-Class Time)
Continuing with the guidance of a faculty committee, each student continues the process of writing a thesis. With the completion of the thesis, and the appropriate public defense of the thesis, and the certification by the duly appointed committee, the student may make application for graduation. *Prerequisite: MSCR 699A, MSCR 699B