MASTER OF SCIENCE

MODULE I: Basics of Clinical Research

• Introduction to Clinical Research (2 days) 
• Introduction to Good Clinical Practice (2 days or eCourse) 
• Applying Good Clinical Practice (2 days) 
• Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology (3 days) 
• Introduction to Biostatistics (3 days) 
• Publication Workshop: How to Write a Biomedical Research Paper (4 days) 
• 2 Tutorials 
   

MODULE II: Detailed Planning of Clinical Studies

• Ethical Aspects of Clinical Research (2 days) 
• Health Outcomes Research: Systematic Reviews for HTA and Reimbursement Decisions (5 days) 
• Scientific Aspects of Clinical Trials - Protocol Development Workshop
  (divided into a generic part and four disease specific areas: cardiovascular, diabetes, psychiatry, oncology) (5 days) 
• 2 Tutorials (interpretation of clinical studies from the literature) 
   

MODULE III: Master Module 

MANDATORY:

• Publication Masterclass (5 days) 
• Advanced Biostatistics (5 days) 
• 2 Tutorials (interpretation of clinical studies from the literature) 
   

ELECTIVES: minimum (2-4 courses required)

• Health Outcomes Research: Principles of Pharmacoeconomics (5 days) 
• Health Outcomes Research: Evidence Based Decision Making for Pricing and Reimbursement: from Theory to Practice (5 days) 
• Health Outcomes Research: Evidence Based Medicine and Implementation Science – Toolkit (5 days) 
• Project Management in Clinical Research (3 days)
• Essential Skills for Clinical Research Associates/Monitors (5 days) 
• SOP Writing (eCourse)
• Biomarker and Personalized Medicine
• The Scientific Approach to Modern Oncology
• further workshops in development
   

MASTER THESIS:

• Written preparation of a study protocol 
• Written review of a study protocol 
• Oral presentation of the study protocol

The programme has been developed and is delivered by the Medical University of Vienna (MUW) in co-operation with the Vienna School of Clinical Research (VSCR). The faculty members are drawn from the MUW academic staff and international experts in multiple disciplines. Participants of the programme will benefit from the national diversity and the different professional backgrounds of the faculty as well as of the other students.

• Successfully passed graduate degree in natural sciences (Master degree or equivalent with at least 300 ECTS)
• Fluency in English language (spoken and written)
   

Programme office:

• Register as an external student at the Medical University of Vienna (außerordentlicher Hörer)
• Tuition fee: 15.000 Euro (1st rate of 7500,- Euro due upon registration)
• Please submit the following documents in either hard copy or electronic format to the programme office:

               - Curriculum vitae

               - University degree certificate

               - Application form, passport picture

               - Confirmation of payment (first rate of the tuition fee)

• Detailed information on workshops, course schedules, registration for individual workshops, course locations:

Clinical research plays a major role in translating scientific advances into improvement of patient care and optimal health resource allocation. Clinical research has become a sophisticated science requiring researchers to obtain highly specific training in health research methodology to assure ethical conduct and generation of valid results of clinical studies.

This master programme is intended for university graduates in natural sciences with professional experience who pursue a career in health care research. Its objective is to qualify participants for designing, conducting, analyzing, and presenting clinical studies. The programme provides students with a solid understanding of health research methodology and biostatistics, and confers practical skills, e.g. in project management. Students will also become familiar with international legal and ethical standards in clinical research. Graduates of the programme will acquire the competence to successfully lead research projects and compete on an international level.

The programme comprises 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). The curriculum is structured in 3 modules consisting of blocked workshops, and a final thesis. Optional workshops in module III allow the selection of individual tracks within the programme. This is a part-time programme allowing professionals to remain on their job and to potentially integrate the training with their professional activities. Workshops are offered several times per year and may be taken in flexible order within modules. Consequently, students have maximal flexibility regarding completion of workshops and the overall duration of their programme. The minimum duration is 2 years. All training and the whole programme material is in English.

Requirements for completion of the programme are:

• Successfully completion of all mandatory and the required number of elective courses (each including a written examination) and the tutorials
• Written examination after each module
• Final thesis (study protocol) and oral presentation

Graduates of the programme will be awarded the degree:

“Master of Science in Clinical Research”.

All courses are submitted for accreditation to the following bodies:

• for CME credits to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS)
• for DFP credits to the Austrian Medical Association.