Program Overview

Master's Degree in Clinical & Epidemiological Research

The Master of Science (MS) program is designed to be completed in two academic years. Most trainees are able to complete all requirements within seven academic quarters, although occasionally students take extra time to complete their original research.

Curriculum

• At least 38 quarter-units of coursework are needed for graduation.
• Trainees will take the majority of their coursework in the first year, allowing for focus on performing independent research in the second year.
• Grading policy is determined by the UCSF Graduate Division.
• Scholars must maintain at least a 3.0 (B average) and note that letter grades cannot be converted to "S/U" after the deadline for the respective quarter.
• The policy of the TICR Program states that one "C" grade or less (or one "U" grade) will trigger a discussion between the program director and the student about the expected level of performance in the program.
• Two or more grades of "C" or less (or two or more "U" grades) will trigger a formal review by the program and the chair of the scholars’ Master’s Committee.
• A memorandum of understanding will be generated, outlining specific steps and an associated timeline that the scholar must fulfill to return to satisfactory performance.

Sample Course Schedule

Year 1

• Summer Clinical Research Workshop
  • EPI 202 — Designing Clinical Research (2)
  • EPI 218 — Data Collection and Management for Clinical Research (1)
  • BIOSTAT 212 — Introduction to Statistical Computing in Clinical Research (1)
  • Electives
• Fall
  • EPI 201 — Responsible Conduct of Research (0.5)
  • EPI 203 — Epidemiologic Methods (4)
  • EPI 204 — Clinical Epidemiology (3)
  • BIOSTAT 200 — Biostatistical Methods for Clinical Research I (3)
  • EPI 220/230 — TICR Program Seminar for First-Year Master's and Certificate Program Scholars (1)
  • Electives
• Winter
  • EPI 222 — Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities: What Every Researcher Should Know (1)
  • BIOSTAT 208 — Biostatistical Methods for Clinical Research II (3)
  • EPI 220/230 — TICR Program Seminar for First-Year Master's and Certificate Program Scholars (1)
  • Electives
• Spring
  • EPI 227 - Career Development (1)
  • BIOSTAT 209 — Biostatistical Methods for Clinical Research III (3)
  • EPI 220/230 — TICR Program Seminar for First-Year Master's and Certificate Program Scholars (1)
  • Electives

Year 2

• Fall
  • (EPI 204 — Clinical Epidemiology (3))
  • EPI 221 — Master's Seminar II (1)
  • EPI 300 - Educational Practice (2)
  • Electives
• Winter
  • EPI 221 — Master's Seminar II (1)
  • EPI 300 - Educational Practice (2)
  • Electives
• Spring
  • EPI 221 — Master's Seminar II (1)
  • EPI 300 - Educational Practice (2)
  • Electives

Tracks

The MS program currently has three optional tracks of specialized instruction in which scholars can elect to enroll:

• Clinical Informatics
• Health Data Science
• Implementation science Scholars in these tracks will be required to take the core set of courses in epidemiological and biostatistical methods that underlie clinical research and will use their elective courses for focused instruction in their track’s specific objectives.

Education & Training

• Master's Degree in Clinical & Epidemiological Research
  • Curriculum
    • Data Science in Clinical Research Track
    • Implementation Science Track
    • Clinical Informatics Track
  • Admissions
  • Fees & Financial Support
  • Resources and Information for Students
  • Current Students
  • Schedule
  • Bylaws
  • Awards