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Clinical Science

Master's Program: Requirements

The Master of Science in Clinical Science (MSCS) degree program provides formal training in clinical sciences through theoretical and methodological coursework and the application of coursework to a mini research project.

The Final Project and Examination

In addition to completing the required coursework, students must complete and write-up a final research project, provide an open-to-the-public oral presentation of the final project, and defend the project to satisfy the MSCS degree requirements. The final research project may take the form of a publishable paper or thesis. The thesis/publishable paper should be thought of as the demonstration of the student’s ability to organize and communicate, in a clear and effective manner:

• a statement of a problem;
• a researchable hypothesis;
• a discussion of pertinent findings; and
• coherent conclusions and implications of the issue being studied.

The scope of work expected from the student should:

• involve substantial contribution to the development of the scientific question being studied;
• demonstrate the ability to partition a complex question into a workable set of specific objectives and/or answerable research questions/testable hypotheses;
• demonstrate the ability to critically review and document the current state of the evidence that addresses the study topic;
• involve a substantial contribution to the study design and selection of the study subjects;
• demonstrate the ability to organize results/observations; and
• demonstrate the ability to adequately identify and discuss the results, study limitations and implications of the observations in the context of previously known theories, recommendations and practices.

The two final research project options differ primarily in the form of the final written product. Although it is extremely difficult to be highly specific about the content of either a thesis or a publishable research paper, it is anticipated that all final projects, whether written as a thesis or a research paper, will include the collection and appropriate analysis of quantitative or qualitative data. Although primary data collection is desirable, use of already collected data sets involving significant additional analyses are acceptable at the master's level.

The processes for both options are identical except for the final step, in which the thesis is submitted to the Clinical Science Program and the Graduate School and the research paper is submitted to the examination committee and to a refereed journal approved by the examination committee.

Steps for Completing the Final Project and Examination

The general process follows:

1. Choose and delineate a problem for investigation.
   • Consider topics previously pursued which can perhaps be taken a step further
   • Review current literature in the area
2. Choose a three-member examination committee.
   
   Students select three members to serve as an examination committee for the thesis/publishable paper project. All members must have or be eligible for a Graduate School faculty appointment. A Graduate School faculty appointment listing is posted on-line. For a committee member that does not have a Graduate School appointment, students may request that the CLSC Program submit an appointment nomination to the Graduate School. To begin this process, the student must submit to Lori Stepp (steppl@njhealth.org) a biosketch of the nominee and a written explanation of what this potential member would contribute to the committee. The nomination/approval process takes 6-8 weeks. Guidelines are posted on the Graduate School website: www.uchsc.edu/gs/gs/graduate_faculty.htm.
   
   The chair is required to hold a "regular" Graduate School appointment whereas the other members can have or obtain either "regular" or "special" appointments. The committee chair must be a CLSC faculty member. In addition, the committee as a whole must meet the following three criteria:
   • One member must be from outside the department. An outside member is defined as a person without a primary appointment in the Clinical Science Program.
   • The majority of the committee members, two out of three, must come from the CLSC faculty.
3. Prepare a written proposal for the research project.
   
   It is suggested that students register for one thesis/research paper credit during the term they work on the proposal, and that they distribute the remaining credits over the terms in which the bulk of the research is conducted. Students who complete the thesis option are to enroll in CLSC 6950 Master’s Thesis and students who complete the publishable paper option are to enroll in CLSC 6699 Research in Clinical Science for Master’s Students. The total number of course credit hours that students may complete for their final project (thesis or publishable paper) is 4-6 credit hours. While the final project is in progress, credits for either CLSC 6950 or CLSC 6699 are assigned the grade IP (in progress). The grade is changed retroactively by the final project examination committee chair when the final project is completed and a grade can be assigned. Students must complete EPID 6630 Epidemiology, BIOS 6601/6602 Biostatistics, BIOS 6648 OR EPID 6626 Research Methods, and CLSC 7150 Ethics and Regulation prior to enrolling in either of these two options.
   
   In general, whether doing a thesis or research paper, the proposal should contain the following elements:
   • A problem statement, including justification as to the significance and scope of the study question.
   • A review of the relevant literature, discussing the scope and limitations of the available literature relative to the issue studied.
   • Hypotheses/research question - levels of hypotheses/research question, alternative and rival hypotheses, specification of the variables.
   • Planned methodology for the study:
     1. Study setting,
     2. data source,
     3. sampling techniques,
     4. size of sample,
     5. plan of analysis including the organization and summary of the data and statistical techniques to be used,
     6. proposed timetable for completion of project.
4. Present the written proposal to the examination committee prior to conducting the study.
   
   When the committee chair agrees that the written proposal is ready to present, a time acceptable to all committee members can be scheduled. Plan on a meeting of 1.5 hours unless the chair advises differently. This is a closed meeting, attended only by the committee members and the student.
   
   When the proposal is finalized, a copy of the approved proposal is to be provided to the program office. The committee may suggest modifications to the proposal prior to signing the Project Proposal Approval form. The Project Proposal Approval form is to be signed by all members of the examination committee indicating their approval of the project plan. This constitutes an agreement between the student and the examination committee and the program on the scope of work for the thesis or publishable paper research project.
5. Implement the investigation and develop a timeline for completion and graduation.
6. Prepare the written report.
   
   Guidelines for thesis content:
   1. A statement of the problem, including formulation of hypotheses when appropriate;
   2. A review of relevant literature to identify research that has preceded and led to the thesis problem and rational for the study;
   3. A description of the study setting;
   4. A description of the method(s) of inquiry to be used including data collection instruments and statistical techniques, and explanation of why these methods are appropriate for meeting the objectives of the study;
   5. A presentation of the findings/results of the study;
   6. Discussion of the implications or application of the results, integration with other published research findings, and suggestions for further research.
   Guidelines for content of publishable research paper - adapted from McMaster University and Structured Abstract Guidelines:
   
   
   1. A statement of the study objective;
   2. A description of the study design;
   3. A description of the study setting;
   4. A description of the patient(s), population, or events being studied;
   5. A discussion of the methods and interventions (if applicable);
   6. A presentation of the main results;
   7. A discussion of the results, contribution to the literature and limitations;
   8. Conclusions.
7. Give all members of the examination committee a draft of the written report.
   
   Allow committee members at least two weeks to review the draft and return their comments. Incorporate these comments into a final draft.
8. Scheduling the Thesis/Publishable Paper Final Exam.
   
   When the committee chair agrees that the thesis/publishable paper is ready to defend and all members of the committee have signed the Final Exam Schedule Approval form, a day and time acceptable to all committee members can be scheduled. Faculty signatures on this form ensure that the full committee agrees that the student is ready to defend his/her final thesis/publishable paper. Students should plan on a meeting of at least two hours unless the committee chair advises differently. The defense must be held in a room on the AMC campus or an approved affiliated campus.
   
   All members of the committee must be present for the examination. One member, but not the chairperson or the student, may participate by interactive video.
   
   Students must be enrolled for either thesis credit (CLSC 6950) or research paper credit (CLSC 6699) during the semester in which the final exam (oral defense) is held. It is expected that all CLSC course work (required and elective courses) be completed prior to the final exam defense. However, students can be completing course work during the semester in which the final exam is held.
   
   Students must submit the Request for Scheduling Exam form to the program coordinator with the signed Final Exam Schedule Approval form.
   
   Please note that the following forms are needed for the above process:
   1. Request for Scheduling Exam form (a Graduate School form)
   2. Final Exam Schedule Approval form (a CLSC program form)
   Please allow a minimum of five business days in advance of the Graduate School deadline for CLSC program signatures and review. Graduate School deadlines for graduation are listed in the Graduate School calendar available at the Office of the Registrar website.
   
   Program-approved and signed Graduate School forms must be submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the defense date. This deadline is strictly enforced and if not met will necessitate the rescheduling of the exam.
9. Thesis/Publishable Paper Final Exam.
   
   The thesis/publishable paper defense is open to the public and is publicly advertised. Upon completion of the student’s presentation and answering of any questions from attendees, the committee chair will close the meeting so that the committee may discuss with the student any issues, concerns, or required changes to the thesis/publishable paper.
   
   The committee may require changes to the final thesis/publishable paper. If changes are required, a timetable for re-submitting the revised document to committee members should be established. A timetable is particularly important when a student expects to graduate in the semester in which he/she defends the thesis/publishable paper.
10. Prepare final document.
    
    After the oral defense, incorporate any additional changes into the final version of the thesis or publishable paper.

Thesis:

Copies of the current Style and Policy Manual for Theses and Dissertations are available from the Graduate School. The Graduate School also provides technical assistance in theses preparation to students by offering a "thesis clinic" twice annually and through individual advising by appointment. Two bound copies of the final version of the thesis are submitted to the Graduate School for final approval. Please note: A bound copy of the thesis must also be submitted to the CLSC program office for inclusion in our library.

Research Paper:

Copies of research papers are submitted to each member of the examination committee, the program office, and to a refereed journal approved by the examination committee. Students completing the research paper option will not be assigned a final grade until a copy of the research paper and a copy of the transmittal letter submitting the paper to the agreed upon journal is received in the program office. Once this is received, the program office will submit the final grade to the Graduate School.

Please Note:

It is common that all committee members be included as authors on final research papers, although this is not always the case. The issue of authorship should be discussed in every instance with all committee members. If, by mutual agreement, a committee member is not included as an author, he/she should be acknowledged in the research paper. The chair of the examination committee will have primary responsibility for assuring that the final report is completed and that the grade is submitted to the Graduate School.

Please consult the CLSC Master's Student Handbook for more detailed information.