Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research

This course provides individuals from medical and allied health professions (such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists etc) and others with a science-based background and qualifications the opportunity to complete advanced formal training in Clinical Research.Consequently, students will have the opportunity to build a comprehensive range of skills in the general area of clinical research through the Graduate Certificate, higher-level theoretical skills in a relevant clinical speciality through the Graduate Diploma and applied skills in a relevant area of clinical speciality if they progress through to the Masters award.

Course structure

To satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research, students must complete a total of 100 points.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in medicine, an allied health profession, science or social science, and
• at least one year of documented, relevant professional work experience in a medical, scientific or allied health environment.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the research experience or evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research; and
• the capacity of a participating department to provide adequate supervision in a research project appropriate to the interests and preparation of the individual applicant.

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.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

By completion, graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research should be able to:

• demonstrate a comprehensive foundation in the methods, process, rationales and nomenclature of clinical research design, in a relevant speciality area;
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key decisions surrounding the design, delivery and assessment of clinical research, in a relevant speciality area;
• compare and contrast a range of clinical research study designs to identify relevant design considerations, in a relevant speciality area;
• demonstrate critical and evaluative skills that can be used to apply independent scientific judgment to the conduct of clinical research design, in a relevant speciality area;
• develop a rationale for the dissemination of research findings to a variety of stakeholder groups and translating research findings from the research context to direct clinical care;
• demonstrate a range of competencies in the management and implementation of clinical research including ethical issues, quality assurance and control, monitoring, grant preparation, and effectively managing research teams;
• demonstrate sufficient preparatory knowledge for more detailed study in clinical research at a Masters level