Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- discuss issues related to biomedical informatics impacting clinical research;
- summarize requirements for building and maintaining a multidisciplinary research team;
- describe health and disease measurement in clinical and community populations;
- describe how to implement a clinical research study;
- develop a clinical research question;
- apply principles of responsible research and clinical research ethics to a research project;
- use computers to collect, manage, and analyze data for evaluation of hypotheses;
- determine a study aim, objectives, and appropriate design to address a hypothesis;
- analyze data using appropriate statistical techniques;
- analyze literature to identify gaps in knowledge; and
- communicate clinical research findings effectively in writing and oral presentation.
The Master of Science program in clinical investigation requires 37 s.h. of graduate credit. In addition to completing the program's required coursework, students must write a thesis in the form of a manuscript, or a grant proposal for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) career award or its equivalent, with oral defense. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00. Those who receive a grade of C in 7 s.h. of coursework may be dismissed from the program.
The program, which is offered in collaboration with the university's Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, is designed for clinicians interested in pursuing careers in clinical research. It includes in-depth training in biostatistics, epidemiology, research ethics, and academic survival skills as well as didactic training applicable to clinical research careers. Graduates of the program are able to critically evaluate clinical literature, write competitive grant proposals, design and conduct clinical research projects, work effectively with other researchers and support staff, and disseminate research results through manuscripts and presentations.
Prerequisites
The MS program requires at least 6 s.h. of prerequisite coursework in the disciplines of pathology, physiology, and/or pharmacology. Students accepted into the degree program who have not completed at least 6 s.h. from those disciplines may meet the requirement while they are enrolled.
The MS with a major in clinical investigation requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
Students must take CPH:7270 Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health during their first year in the fall semester (enroll for 0 s.h.) and in the spring semester (enroll for 1 s.h.). They must retake CPH:7270 if they completed the course more than four years ago or if they have changed degree programs.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| EPID:5241 | Statistical Methods in Epidemiology | 4 |
| EPID:5500 | Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID:5610 | Intermediate Epidemiology Data Analysis with SAS and R | 3 |
| EPID:6150 | Writing for Medical Journals | 1 |
| EPID:6400 | Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods | 4 |
| EPID:6950 | Clinical Research Ethics | 2 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health (taken first year in the fall and spring semesters for 0 s.h. and 1 s.h. respectively) | 1 |
Capstone Requirement
While a student does not take a final examination of courses, the evaluation of the student for graduation is based upon a positive review of a mentored K or R grant or a mentored publishable research paper. The grant or paper is completed in the second year of the program and based on the area of focus. The capstone is a mentored activity that requires approval by a clinical mentor and a Department of Epidemiology primary faculty member. Successful completion of the course is denoted with a satisfactory (S) grade. The complete grant or paper will be due no later than one month prior to graduation for review.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPID:6000 | Independent Study in Epidemiology | 2 |
Electives
Students must earn a minimum of 9 s.h. in elective coursework, including at least 6 s.h. in a research interest area. The following elective courses are recommended.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPID:5214 | Meta-Analysis of Epidemiologic Studies | 3 |
| EPID:6100 | Writing a Grant Proposal | 3 |
| EPID:6900 | Design of Intervention and Clinical Trials | 3 |
| EPID:6910 | Pharmacoepidemiology and Comparative Effectiveness Research | 3 |
Research Interest Areas
Community Studies
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CBH:5235 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
| CBH:5305 | Evaluation: Approaches and Applications | 3 |
| CBH:6205 | Designing and Implementing Interventions | 3 |
| EPLS:5165 | Introduction to Program and Project Evaluation | 3 |
Epidemiology
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPID:5560 | Biomarkers in Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID:5570 | Zoonotic Diseases | 3 |
| EPID:6250 | Genetics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID:6510 | Injury Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID:6550 | Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| EPID:6560 | Hospital Epidemiology | 2 |
| EPID:6600 | Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases | 3 |
| DPH:6004 | Principles of Oral Epidemiology | 3 |
| GEOG:3110 | Geography of Health | 3 |
Health Services Epidemiology
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPID:6360 | Nutrition Intervention in Clinical Trials Research | 2 |
| EPID:6655 | Causal Inference | 3 |
| EPID:6900 | Design of Intervention and Clinical Trials | 3 |
| EPID:6910 | Pharmacoepidemiology and Comparative Effectiveness Research | 3 |
| EPID:6920 | Applied Administrative Data Analysis | 2 |
| BIOS:6610 | Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials | 3 |
| BIOS:7600 | Advanced Biostatistics Seminar | 3 |
| CBH:6205 | Designing and Implementing Interventions | 3 |
| PCOL:5136 | Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics | 1 |
Informatics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPID:5200 | Principles of Public Health Informatics | 3 |
| EPID:5600 | Introduction to Epidemiology Data Management and Analysis | 3 |
| HMP:5315 | Health Information Systems | 3 |
Nutrition Science
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EPID:6330 | Global Nutrition Policy | 2-3 |
| EPID:6350 | Nutritional Epidemiology | 2 |
| EPID:6360 | Nutrition Intervention in Clinical Trials Research | 2 |
| EPID:6370 | Nutrition Intervention in Research Lab | 3 |
Outcomes and Health Services Research
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HMP:5410 | Health Economics I | 3 |
| HMP:7550 | Cost Effectiveness and Decision Analysis | 3 |
| HMP:7960 | Analytic Issues in Health Services Research I | 3 |
| HMP:7965 | Analytic Issues in Health Services Research II | 3 |
Pharmacy Science
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR:5310 | Health Services Research Seminar | 1 |
| PHAR:5350 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| PHAR:6305 | Foundation Literature in Health Services Research | 3 |
Statistical Methods
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOS:6210 | Applied Survival Analysis | 3 |
| BIOS:6310 | Introductory Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
Translational Biomedicine
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TBM:5001 | Introduction to Translational Biomedicine | 3 |
Applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS); they also must pay the required application fee to the Graduate College through the University of Iowa Office of Admissions when prompted. For detailed application information, visit How to Apply to the Department of Epidemiology on the department's website.
Applicants must hold a doctoral-level degree in a clinical discipline (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, PhD, PharmD, DVM) or be enrolled in the Medical Scientist Training Program (Carver College of Medicine). They must hold a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00; internationally-trained applicants must have an outstanding doctoral training record evidenced by research publications.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Applicants are considered based on their credentials, prior training, and research training plans. Applicants with deficiencies in one area may be admitted if all other components of their application are strong. Individuals must have a sponsoring department.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Application deadlines for fall admission are June 1 for U.S. citizens, April 15 for international applicants. For summer admission, the deadline is April 1; for spring admission, Dec. 1.
A limited number of graduate research assistantships are available for advanced students; for information, consult the department. For information on financing education through jobs, grants, and loans, contact the university's Office of Student Financial Aid.
Opportunities for funded predoctoral fellowships are available. Funded positions sponsored by federal agencies are available only to U.S. citizens.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Clinical Investigation, MS
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 37 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| A program GPA of at least 3.00 is required. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| EPID:5500 | Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health b | 0 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPID:5241 | Statistical Methods in Epidemiology | 4 |
| EPID:6400 | Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods | 4 |
| EPID:5610 | Intermediate Epidemiology Data Analysis with SAS and R | 3 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health b | 1 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Capstone Requirement d | ||
| EPID:6150 | Writing for Medical Journals | 1 |
| EPID:6950 | Clinical Research Ethics | 2 |
| EPID:6000 | Independent Study in Epidemiology e | 2 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Taken in the fall and spring of first year for 0 s.h. and 1 s.h., respectively.
- c
- A minimum of 9 s.h. of graduate level coursework is required with at least 6 s.h. in a research interest area; see General Catalog and website for coursework and specifics. Work with faculty advisor to select appropriate coursework and to determine sequence.
- d
- While no final examination of courses will be taken, the evaluation of the student for graduation is based upon a positive review by the student's faculty mentor of 1) a mentored K or R grant, or 2) a mentored publishable paper.
- e
- The Capstone Requirement is completed under the Independent Study mentorship; work with faculty advisor for approval.