MCR 501 - Medical Informatics (2 credit hrs.) Fall Term, Summer Workshop

The course will address using data from clinical information systems in performing clinical research, including the strengths and limitations of these data. Topics include overview of medical informatics, discussion of the nature of computer-based data, including medical vocabularies, large databases, the Web, and confidentiality-related issues. Students will write a paper using data from a clinical information system.

MCR 502 - Principles of Clinical Research (2 credit hrs.) Fall

This course will provide an overview and introduction to the various types of clinical research, including patient-oriented research, epidemiology, behavioral sciences and health services research. An introduction to evidence-based medicine for clinical researchers. The course introduces protocol design, hypomentoring development, and gathering of evidence, including decision analysis. Topics include design of clinical trials and observational studies, human subject issues, special populations, adverse effects, and pharmacokinetics.

 MCR 503 - Clinical Research Seminar I & II (1 credit each) Fall and Spring

The seminar will explore the practical aspects of clinical research in an informal setting. Speakers will include clinical researchers from Morehouse School of Medicine and outside speakers who are accomplished researchers.

 MCR 504 -  Ethics of Clinical Research in Vulnerable Populations (1 credit hr.) Fall Term

This multidisciplinary course will provide social, cultural and historical perspectives on the development of ethical standards for clinical research among special at-risk populations. Using various methods, such as lectures, readings, case presentations, and group discussions, participants’ appreciation of culture, as a predominant force in shaping behavior and values will be enhanced. The course will help develop behaviors and skills for effectively recruiting and engaging patients from diverse cultural backgrounds into health-care research.

MCR 505 -  Mentored Research Project I, II - Receive Pass/Fail Grade (1 credit hr.) 
Mentored Research Project III & IV (Letter grade, 6 and 4 credit hours, respectively).  Total of 12 credit hours.

This course provides an opportunity for students to synthesize and integrate the knowledge base and competencies acquired in course work and practicum and demonstrate this achievement through writing and presenting a grant proposal, mentoring or journal manuscript. This is a mentored project to be performed under the supervision of an established clinical investigator and a mentoring committee. It involves reviewing the literature and writing a scientific proposal to answer a specific clinical research question(s). Data will be collected and analyzed for a presentation at a national scientific meeting as well as for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal. The mentoring should incorporate appropriate procedures learned in formal course work. The research mentoring may focus on a therapeutic clinical trial, intervention study, observational study, or a clinical evaluation program. The mentoring must be presented at a seminar and then provided in written form suitable for publication. A mentoring committee appointed by the Curriculum Committee must approve the oral and written presentations.

MCR 506 - Analysis of Frequency Data (2 credit hrs) Spring Term

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Biostatistics.

Tests and measure of association for contingency table analysis; partitioning chi-square; the odds ratio, comparative trials; analysis of categorical data with matched samples; combining evidence from contingency tables; effects and controls of misclassification errors, multiway contingency tables.

MCR  508 - Clinical Trials (2 credit hrs.) Spring Term

Principles for the design and conduct of clinical trials are discussed. Emphasis will be given to protocol preparation, randomization, sample size, trial monitoring, ethical issues and data analysis.

 MCR  509 - Proposal Development (3 credit hrs.), Spring Term, Summer Workshop

The objective of this course are to develop 1) the ability to evaluate a published paper in biomedical sciences 2) an approach to writing a competitive research proposal 3) an understanding of intellectual property and patents. The course provides an overview of these processes in a series of round-table discussions and take-home assignments. Students will be required to design a field study for specific disease and prepare a scientific protocol and a grant using Public Health Service Form 398, including the development of an informed consent form and budget. Emphasis will be placed on grantsmanship and scientific writing. Institutional Review Board and NIH review process.

MCR 511 - Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credit hrs.) Spring Term

This course provides students with knowledge of patterns of disease occurrence in human populations and factors that influence these patterns. This course is designed to enable students to identify and use systematic procedures that are helpful in determining epidemiological relationships. Students will gain insight and be able to recognize situations in their public health/medical practice where epidemiologic principles are to be applied. Principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation, both of infectious and non-infectious diseases, are discussed.

MCR 512 - Fundamentals of Biostatistics (3 credit hrs.) Fall Term

This course introduces various statistical methods used in public health management, medical research and education. Students are trained in biostatistical data analysis and interpretation of standard statistical packages.

MCR 513 -   Health Services Research (2 credit hrs.), Spring Term, Elective

Prerequisite: Permission, videoconference class

Understanding the multiple dimension of health status and conceptual basis of measuring health status and outcomes; review and evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of common measures.  Formalization of research questions and appropriate design of methodology, including sample selection, measurement, data collection and statistical analysis. Review of recent health services and outcomes research and their public health policy implications.

MCR 517 - Laboratory Methods, Fall, Elective

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of laboratory methodologies as they relate to the design and execution of clinical research proposals.

MCR 520 - Laboratory Cores Rotation, (2 credit hrs.)

This course provides an overview of the functionalities of each core within the Clinical Research Center through a hands-on experience.  The outcome is a better understanding of the processes involved in implementing and completing an actual clinical trial/study through the CRC.

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