Master of Advanced Study in Clinical Research _ Course Descriptions
Please Note: All courses require approval of instructor for enrollment. Please contact Connie
Koog with enrollment questions: connie.koog@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Clinical Epidemiology and Study Design (CLH 202) - 3 units (Summer)
This intensive one-week course in clinical research methods will cover developing a research question,
study design, questionnaire design, data collection, data management, analysis, and funding.
Introduction to Clinical Research (CLH 200) – 3 units (Summer)
Overview of major clinical research topics that will be taught in further depth during the two year
curriculum. The course will combine didactic lectures and presentations by successful clinical
researchers describing practical experiences. A team capstone project is completed, focusing on
current topics in clinical research.
Methods in Clinical Research (CLH 203) – 3 units (Summer)
Overview of major approaches to clinical and translational research. Laboratory, pre-clinical, and clinical
methods will be discussed, as well as methods in health services research and health informatics.
Critical Assessment of the Biomedical Literature (CLH 290C) – 2 units (F/W/Sp)
This course has a journal club format, and exposes students to topical issues and controversies in the
design of interdisciplinary translational research, with an emphasis on critical assessment of the
biomedical and health sciences literature.
Responsible Conduct of Research (CLH 204) – 3 units (F/W/Sp)
This year-long course will address several topics in research ethics. Students will acquire information
about the ethical responsibilities that biomedical researchers face, explore some of the major questions in
ethics and values generated by contemporary biomedical research, discuss the application of ethical
principles and concepts to ethically challenging aspects of scientific research, and gain an appreciation of
the role of trust in biomedical research.
Introduction to Medical Statistics (CLH 205/SPH 244) - 4 units (Fall)
This course covers the basic concepts and techniques of biostatistics as used in clinical and translational
research. Students will learn the importance of variation and study design in research, understand the link
between common designs and basic statistical procedures, and learn to interpret the results of basic
statistical inference in terms of hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. Examples and instruction will
be in R.
Introduction to Grant Writing, I (CLH 201) - 2 units (Fall)
This is the first, in a two-part course series in grant writing. Students who take part I (Fall) are expected to
enroll in part II the following quarter (Winter). The two-course sequence provides training in practical
aspects of competitive grant writing. We will focus on NIH format submissions, but the information
provided will apply to other funding agencies. Over the course of the two quarters, scholars will write an
original six-page NIH-format grant proposal. This is expected to be original work, not a previously
submitted proposal or a grant written primarily by the mentor. The final draft of the proposal will be due at
the end of the Winter quarter and will be reviewed by a mock study section composed of UCDMC faculty
with extensive experience in grant writing and reviewing.
Introduction to Grant Writing, II (CLH 298) – 2 units (Winter)
This is the second in a two-part course series in grant writing. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Grant Writing,
I – Fall Quarter). The two-course sequence provides training in practical aspects of competitive grant
writing. We will focus on NIH format submissions, but the information provided will apply to other funding
agencies. Over the course of the two quarters, scholars will write an original six-page NIH-format grant
proposal. This is expected to be original work, not a previously submitted proposal or a grant written
primarily by the mentor. The final draft of the proposal will be due at the end of the Winter quarter and will
be reviewed by a mock study section composed of UCDMC faculty with extensive experience in grant
writing and reviewing.
Biostatistics for Biomedical Science (SPH 245) - 4 units (Winter)
This course covers analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods and regression methods for laboratory or
clinical data. Major topics include experimental design, ANOVA, linear regression methods, logistic
regression, and survival analysis for cohort data.
Biostatistics for Clinical Research (SPH 246) - 4 units (alternating Spring – even years)
The course aims to help students develop understanding for various aspects of designing and conducting
clinical studies with an emphasis on randomized clinical trials and statistical issues involved at each study
stage. The main purpose of the course is not to introduce new statistical methods but to prepare the
students to be able to conduct well-designed clinical studies, and to work with biostatisticians in their
research more effectively.
Statistical Analysis of Laboratory Data (SPH 247) – 4 units (alternating Spring – odd years)
This course covers experimental design for laboratory studies, including multifactorial designs,
randomization, blocking, and analysis of inter-and intra-laboratory sources of variation; introduction to
assays and calibration curves; application of regression, logistic regression, and ANOVA to laboratory
data; Western blots, PCR, and other single compound assays; multivariate analysis of laboratory data,
including PCA, clustering, and discriminant analysis; and analysis of data from gene expression arrays.
Introduction to Grant Writing, II (CLH 298) – 2 units (Winter)
This is the second, in a two-part course series in grant writing. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Grant Writing,
I – Fall Quarter). The two-course sequence provides training in practical aspects of competitive grant
writing. We will focus on NIH format submissions, but the information provided will apply to other funding
agencies. Over the course of the two quarters, scholars will write an original six-page NIH-format grant
proposal. This is expected to be original work, not a previously submitted proposal or a grant written
primarily by the mentor. The final draft of the proposal will be due at the end of the Winter quarter and will
be reviewed by a mock study section composed of UCDMC faculty with extensive experience in grant
writing and reviewing.
Team Science (CLH 298) – 1 unit (Spring)
This course focuses on skills required to build and participate effectively in interdisciplinary research
teams. The course includes case-based learning from real life scenarios in academia, aviation safety,
earthquake survival, etc. and engages scholars in discussions that challenge perceptions and build team
working skills.