STUDY GUIDE. Research Master Programmes in Health Sciences and Clinical Research for medical students

Transcription

1 NIHES RESEARCH TRAINING IN MEDICINE AND THE HEALTH SCIENCES STUDY GUIDE Research Master Programmes in Health Sciences and Clinical Research for medical students

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3 Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences Study Guide Research Master programmes Health Sciences and Clinical Research for Medical Students

4 2013 Erasmus MC and the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences, Rotterdam All rights reserved. No part of this study guide may be reproduced, stored in a database or retrieval system, or published, in any form or in any way, electronically, mechanically, by print, photo print, microfilm or any other means without prior written permission from the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this study guide is accurate at the time of publication. However, the staff of the master programmes Health Sciences and Clinical Research reserve the right to make changes without prior notice. Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 2

5 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Word of welcome Dear student, In the medical sciences, new knowledge and skills are needed at an ever-increasing level of speed in the medical sciences. Many researchers all over the world contribute to this process. In the center of these new developments stands the doctor, who is able to ask the right questions about patient-related problems and translate them into a research protocol. Such protocols may concern laboratory research and/or applied clinical research. Medical sciences need doctors, with the ability and ambition to combine patient care and research in an academic framework. Erasmus MC is the only university medical center in the Netherlands offering five officially accredited Research Master programmes. These programmes provide the students with the challenge and opportunity to become medical researchers, contributing to the advancement of medical science. Qualified students, who seek the challenge of scientific research, may choose from the five Research Master programmes: Health Sciences, Clinical Research, Infection & Immunity, Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience. This study guide contains all necessary information for students with the ambition to be trained in the field of medical and health sciences and become a Master of Science in Clinical Research or Health Sciences. The programmes include an educational part and a research part. Outstanding researchers with an international reputation will conduct both parts. Take the challenge and provide yourself with the opportunity of a varied and exciting professional career. Good luck! Professor Albert Hofman, MD PhD Programme Director Health Sciences Professor Aart Jan van der Lely, MD PhD Programme Director Clinical Research 3 Study Guide

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7 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Table of Content Word of welcome... 3 Table of Content Aim of the programme Research Master Programmes option 1 and Course attendance Examinations and resits Schedule & combination of the programme with the regular medical curriculum Courses... 9 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme... 9 Programme specific and advanced courses... 9 Skills Courses Final exam Course exemptions from courses of your Research Master programme Course exemptions from courses of your Master of Science in Medicine Course evaluations Cancelling your participation in a course Recommended books Availability of standard computer software Table 1 - start 2012 and 2013 option 1 - RM Health Sciences and RM Clinical Research Table 3 start 2011 or later option 2 - RM Health Sciences and RM Clinical Research Research project & time table Research Master Health Sciences Research project Practical research Your research proposal Presenting your research Your thesis Time table Research Master Health Sciences for Master students in Medicine, option 1 and option Start 2013 First year Time table Research Master Health Sciences for Master students in Medicine option Start 2012 Second year in Research project & time table Research Master Clinical Research Research project Practical research Your research proposal Presenting your research Your thesis Time table Research Master Clinical Research for Master students in Medicine, option 1 and option Start 2013 First Research Master year Time table Research Master Clinical Research for Master students in Medicine option Start 2012 Second year Examination Procedure and Rules TER and Examination Board Attainment targets Training Courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme Research Students overall rights and duties Graduation Graduation ceremony NIHES Award and Erasmus MC MSc CR Award After graduation Stay in touch! Annex I: Contact details NIHES administrative office NIHES intranet Address NIHES NIHES staff NIHES administrative office Confidential cousellor NIHES Programme Directors Participating departments and research groups at Erasmus MC Annex II: Course descriptions NIHES courses Colophon Study Guide

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9 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students 1. Aim of the programme The Research Master programmes in Health Sciences and in Clinical Research aim to provide students with a thorough understanding of methods in clinical research and sufficient knowledge of clinical specialist areas, for example medical technology, immunology or molecular biology. On the basis of this knowledge, the student will be prepared to write a research protocol and to perform research. Students should acquire the following competencies: Ability to formulate a clinical problem and translate it into a scientific question. Ability to perform an extensive study of the literature concerning a clinical problem. Ability to translate a scientific question into a research protocol. Acquisition of sufficient knowledge of existing methods of clinical scientific research, biostatistical analytical methods, laws, regulations and ethics and the abilities to use such knowledge in a research protocol. Ability to conduct the research, collect and analyse data, and draw conclusions. Ability to write a Master s thesis, including the objective(s) of the investigation, a summary of the literature, materials, methods, results, discussion and conclusions of the research project and to present these findings at scientific meetings. Publication of the research findings in an international peer-reviewed journal is encouraged. This skills set will enable students to become researchers with the ability to complete a PhD programme, either fulltime or as part of their specialist-education (so-called AGIKO-construction). The ultimate goal of the Research Master in Health Sciences or Clinical Research is to scout excellent students at an early age, challenge them to become clinical investigators, foster them during their research- and clinical career and motivate them to become academic specialists and possibly future professors of medicine. 7 Study Guide

10 2. Research Master Programmes option 1 and 2 In this chapter general information will be given about the courses and general outline of the Research Master programmes Health Sciences and Clinical Research (BaMa curricula). The programmes can be combined with the regular medical curriculum at Erasmus MC. You can combine the Research Master programme in two different ways: Option 1: attend the main part of the research master before your internships or co-schappen ; Option 2: attend the main part of the research master after your internships. If you start the Research Master programme in August 2013 (and the preliminary programme in 2012), you have to choose between the two options before 1 October Please also inform NIHES of your choice, by ing the NIHES Administrative office, so we can enrol you in your programme. Information on these programmes you can find in chapter 3 (Health Sciences) and 4 (Clinical Research). PLEASE NOTE: From academic year on, schedules of the Research Master programme for medical students will change substantially. This rescheduling will be done to align the programme with the Harde Knip. Harde Knip is a law concerning Bachelor students, requiring them to have completed their Bachelor programme before starting a Master programme. 2.1 Course attendance Please note the following rules regarding attendance. A student should attend all course days of their courses. A student is only allowed to be absent from a course for 20% maximum if a motivated request is sent to NIHES in advance and is granted by one of the programme officers of NIHES. 2.2 Examinations and resits Please note the following rules and procedures regarding examinations and resits: A student is automatically registered for an exam. If a student cannot participate, he or she needs to inform NIHES about his or her absence in advance. Without a formal request it counts as the initial exam. A student needs to be present 15 minutes prior to the exam to register. A student can resit an examination twice. For most courses a resit is scheduled in advance (see the NIHES intranet for details). A second resit in the same course year is offered only to: o option 1 students who will finish their 2 nd Research Master year and will start their internships and have taken both the first exam and resit (or have informed NIHES about their absence in time and this was granted). o option 2 students who can graduate in the upcoming August and have taken both the first exam and resit (or have informed NIHES about their absence in time and this was granted). For more information check the Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER) on the NIHES intranet. 2.3 Schedule & combination of the programme with the regular medical curriculum In the figures on pages 12 to 15, the schedules are shown of the Research master programmes Clinical Research or Health Sciences, combined with the medical curriculum at Erasmus MC. The programme for option 1 is described in table 1 on page 13 for the first year of the Research Master (this is also year I of your Master of Science in Medicine). The programme for option 2 is described in table 2 on page 15 for the first year of the Research Master (this is year 3 of your Master of Science in Medicine). Successful completion of KOW2 Ever thought of doing research? (during your Bachelor in Medicine) counts for 2.8 ECTS in your Research Master programme. If you did not attend KOW2 Ever thought of doing research?, you need to attend 2.8 ECTS elective courses in the research master programme. You may do so by attending courses in the Erasmus summer programme, which takes place during the summer holidays, after your first research master year, and/or by attending advanced electives during the winter/spring period. Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 8

11 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students When you have successfully completed the courses Study Design (CC01) and Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles (CC02) (10 ECTS in total) during the minor Ever thought of doing research?, you will receive the grades in your Research Master programme. For attending the Erasmus Summer Programme before the minor you will receive 4.2 ECTS in the Research Master programme. Research Seminars run parallel to the medical curriculum. Health Sciences students receive a seminar booklet in which they can register their seminars. Clinical Research students can register their seminars in their Personal Education Programme (PEP), see chapter 4 for details. A three week visit abroad to Harvard School of Public Health or Johns Hopkins University will be organized June and July. You can find detailed information on your research in chapter 3 for the Research Master in Health Sciences and in chapter 4 for the Research Master in Clinical Research. 2.4 Courses Though most courses are given at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, some are given in Utrecht and some others in Amsterdam. For all courses in your programme you will receive a letter containing details about the course location, the exact date and time of the lectures, date of the examination, relevant literature, etc.. You will receive this letter at least one week before the start of the course and receive access to your online course materials. Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme The three-week Erasmus Summer Programme (ESP) is organized by NIHES in collaboration with Erasmus MC. The ESP gives a comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the principles and methods of applied quantitative research in medicine and health care. Its key areas are biostatistics, clinical research, epidemiology, human genetics, and health services and public health research. The ESP is open to health professionals worldwide. Over 500 participants are welcomed each year. You and your fellow students will thus be sharing courses with external participants. Most courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme are without examination. The introductory ESP courses are assessed in later courses. For the ESP courses without examination a pass grade is required (marked as a/p on your list of grades), which can be obtained only if a student has attended the course. For more information on attendance see chapter 2.3. Programme specific and advanced courses After the ESP, all Master of Science students continue with a number of programme-specific courses and/or advanced courses. The courses you take depend on the programme in which you are enrolled. These courses culminate in an examination, usually in writing. For an overview, check the relevant time table in chapter 4 (for RM Health Sciences) or 5 (for RM Clinical Research). Advanced courses can be compulsory or elective, depending on the specialisation you have chosen. To tailor the programme of your choice to your interests and professional needs, you may select elective courses in winter and spring. In the schedules on page 13 and 15 you can find the number of ECTS you can choose. You have to choose courses in consultation with your advisor and/or tutor. An overview of the courses from which you can choose can be found on the NIHES website and in Annex III (see Winter and Spring courses). Please check if you meet the course prerequisites for the advanced courses you wish to attend. Registration for the advanced elective courses takes place in October/November each year. You will automatically receive the final course list and necessary information about the registration procedure. Most advanced courses have examinations: a written examination and/or assignment(s) and/or presentations. For information on the examination you can check the course information in Academic Calendar on the NIHES website or intranet. For advanced courses without an examination, like most courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme, a pass grade is required (marked as a/p on your list of grades), which can be obtained only if a student has attended the course. For more information on attendance see chapter Study Guide

12 Skills Courses All students should note the skills courses below. One of them is compulsory. There are examinations for skills courses, like an assignment and/or a presentation. Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) This compulsory course for all students consists of four days and focuses on the writing of correct and readable scientific articles in English. Courses for the Quantitative Researcher (SC17) This course is highly recommended. Part of the SC17 course is the mathematical basics that we recommend for the course Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (EP03) The other part consists of the skills you need to work with statistical programs like R and Stat. You will be informed about participation in this course in the beginning of your academic year. Final exam The final exam is scheduled at the end of the Research Master programme, and counts for 2 ECTS. Completion of your Master in Medicine is a prerequisite for this final exam. It is an oral exam and it will integrate the knowledge gained during the Master in Medicine with the knowledge gained during the Research Master programme. 2.5 Course exemptions from courses of your Research Master programme To be exempted from a course (or courses), you have to send a motivation and formal written request before the start of the master programme. Your request should include the following: 1. the titles of the NIHES courses you want to be exempted from and 2. per course you want to be exempted from: a list of course titles, including course descriptions and literature used, of the corresponding courses you already successfully passed in a previous programme. You should send your request to NIHES for the attention of Mrs Astrid Vrakking, p/a NIHES, Educational Support Center, (room Fe209, nihes@erasmusmc.nl). Please note that all information should be in English! You can find detailed information on the courses you can be exempted from at the NIHES intranet: Course exemptions from courses of your Master of Science in Medicine Please be aware that this information below may be subject to change. For correct information it is best you check the website of your Master of Science in Medicine. For exemptions for the medical programme, a request should be handed in to the Examination Board of Medicine. It is the responsibility of the student to take care of these exemptions. Upon successful completion of all courses mentioned below, you can be exempted from thema Master 1a Methoden van klinisch en epidemiologisch onderzoek of your Master of Science in Medicine. For students who start their Research Master in 2013 and passed these courses after their first exam, NIHES will send a request to the Examination Board of Medicine. - Study Design (CC01); - Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles (CC02); - Conceptual Foundation of Epidemiologic Study Design (ESP38): - Principles of Genetic Epidemiology (ESP43); - Case-control Studies (ESP40); - Pharmaco-epidemiology (ESP21); - History of Epidemiologic Ideas (ESP53) - Health Economics (ESP25) The courses above apply to students who start their Master of Science programme in For previous years check the Study Guide Upon completion of the research project for your Research Master programme, you may request for exemption of the research period in your medicine programme (keuzeonderzoek), as well as for the elective internship (keuze-coschap) Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 10

13 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students 2.7 Course evaluations A written evaluation will take place at the end of each course. Please fill out these forms in hard copy or digitally and hand/send them in on the last day of the course. Your input is very valuable and consistently helps us improve our courses. 2.8 Cancelling your participation in a course If you are unable to attend a course, please notify the NIHES programme officers at the Educational Support Center in advance by (nihes@erasmusmc.nl) at least two weeks before the start of the course. An administration fee of 50 will be charged for course cancellations made less than two weeks before the start of the course Recommended books With a few exceptions, all course materials are included in the NIHES tuition fee. Below are the exceptions, which are valuable assets for the course mentioned. The following textbooks are strongly recommended: For Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles, previously known as Classical Methods for Data-Analysis (CC02): Statistical Methods in Medical Research, P. Armitage, 4 th edition (ISBN 10: / ISBN 13: ) or An Introduction to Medical Statistics, Martin Bland, 3 rd edition (ISBN 10: / ISBN 13: ). You can buy each of these books at Polare, the bookstore at Lijnbaan 150 (in the center of Rotterdam) Availability of standard computer software At Erasmus MC: SAS for Windows SPSS for Windows Various standard applications such as Microsoft Office and internet and programs All other applications available through the network Helpdesk Computer Support: icthelpdesk@erasmusmc.nl / Phone: Please note that graduation is possible only when all invoices have been paid. 11 Study Guide

14 Programme Health Sciences/ Clinical Research , option 1 ECTS research master pre_rm Year 1 Year 2 total Preliminary RM in Ba medicine ECTS ESP 4,2 4,2 8, KOW2 2,8 Core ESP1 4,2 programme specific 2,8 11,6 12,4 26, MINOR 10 advanced skills 2 2 research 19,6 47,2 66,8 32 seminars over the total period holidays total ECTS per year 17 38,4 64,6 120 medicine w knr w eeks medicine Med MA 1 Thema 1.b de patient (21 w eken) RM1-courses ESP2 EWP1+exams advanced electives USA RM1-research orientation research protocol research period RM1-seminars 16 Seminars (3 ECTS) ECTS RM 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 w knr : w eeks medicine Med MA 1 Internships RM2-courses SC07 EP03 or elect. EWP2+exams adv. elect. RM2-research RM2-seminars research period 16 Seminars (3 ECTS) research period ECTS RM 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1, Med MA2 Internships Med MA3 Internships RM2 Fin. exam 1,4 0,6 Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 12

15 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Table 1 - start 2012 and 2013 option 1 - RM Health Sciences and RM Clinical Research Programme, option 1: Research Master and research before internships Year 2 Bachelor in Medicine Preliminary programme HS and CR ECTS Research Master Courses Research Total January/ February Year 3 Bachelor in Medicine KOW2 Ever thought of doing research or 2,8 ECTS (10 days) electives in MSc programme 2.8 Preliminary HS CR August 3 weeks Erasmus Summer programme, 4.2 September-October October-August October-August Minor Ever thought of doing research (CC01 and CC02) 10 Orientation research area Seminars total ECTS preliminary programme Year 1: Master in Medicine First year research master HS and CR August-August 16 Seminars (year 1) 3 August Courses Erasmus Summer Programme (3 weeks) 4.2 October/March: Theme 1.b the patient February-April Orientation research area (2 weeks) and Development research protocol (6 weeks) February-March EWP: Clinical Epidemiology (4 weeks) January-June Advanced elective courses (2 weeks) 2.8 May For CR students: presentation research protocol May-August Research period 1 (6 weeks) 8.4 June-July Courses Harvard/Johns Hopkins (3 weeks) 4.2 Year 2: Master in Medicine Second year MSc HS and CR August-August 16 Seminars (Year 2) 3 November-December SC07 Scientific writing in English for Publication 2 November-December EP03 Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (3 weeks) For HS students compulsory, for CR students elective, this course may be replaced by 15 days of electives November-December Minisymposium: presentation research project 1.4 January-February 4.2 Advanced topics in Clinical Research (3 weeks Erasmus Winter Programme with exams) 5.4 January-June Advanced elective courses (2 weeks) 2.8 Throughout the year May-July Internships Year 3 and 4: Master in Medicine Internships until April Research period year 2 (33 weeks), (including presentation) For CR students: thesis defence 44 After finalization Master in Medicine Final exam 2 Total ECTS Research Master Study Guide

16 Programme Health Sciences/ Clinical Research , option 2 ECTS research master pre_rm Year 1 Year 2 total Preliminary RM in Ba medicine ECTS ESP 4,2 4,2 8, KOW2 2,8 Core ESP1 4,2 programme specific 2, , MINOR 10 advanced skills 2 2 research 30, ,8 32 seminars over the total period holidays total ECTS per year 17 55, medicine w knr w eeks medicine Med MA 1 Theme 1.b de patient (21 w eeks) Internships RM1-crs & res ESP2 orientation EWP1+exams RM1-seminars 16 Research seminars (3 ECTS) ECTS RM 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1, Med MA2 Internships G MA3 Internships RM1-courses advanced electives 3 w eeks EWP+exams advanced electives USA RM1-research research proposal research research research RM1-seminars continuing 16 Research seminars ECTS RM 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1, RM2-courses SC07 EP03 or elect. advanced electives EWP2+exams RM2-research RM2-seminars research period 16 research seminars (3 ECTS) research period fin. exam ECTS RM 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 1,4 0,6 Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 14

17 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Table 3 start 2011 or later option 2 - RM Health Sciences and RM Clinical Research Programme, option 2: Research Master and research after internships Year 2 Bachelor in Medicine Preliminary HS and CR ECTS Research Master Courses Research Total January-February Year 3 Bachelor in Medicine KOW2 Ever thought of doing research or 2,8 ECTS (10 days) electives in MSc programme 2.8 Preliminary HS CR August 3 weeks Erasmus Summer programme, 4.2 September-October October-August October-August Minor Ever thought of doing research ( CC01 and CC02) Orientation research area Seminars 10 total ECTS preliminary programme Year 1: Master in Medicine First year Research Master HS and CR August-August 16 Seminars (year 1) 3 August Courses Erasmus Summer Programme (3 weeks) 4.2 October-February: Theme 1.b The Patient February-March Internships Year 2: Master in Medicine Erasmus Winter Programme: Clinical Epidemiology (4 weeks) 4.6 Internships Year 3: Master in Medicine Internships September/December January-February May Year 1 Research Master MSc HS and CR (continued) Orientation research area (2 weeks) and development research protocol (6 weeks) For CR students: presentation research protocol 11 January June Advanced elective courses (2 weeks) 2.8 February March Advanced topics in Clinical Research (three weeks Erasmus Winter Programme) April-August Research period (16 weeks) 19.6 June-July Courses Harvard/Johns Hopkins (3 weeks) 4.2 Year 4: Master in Medicine Year 2 Research Master HS and CR 5.4 August-August 16 Seminars (Year 2) 3 November-December November-December Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) EP03 Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (3 weeks) For HS students compulsory, for CR students elective and may be replaced by 15 days of other electives November-December Minisymposium: presentation research project 1.4 January-June Advanced elective courses (2 weeks) 2.8 Throughout the year After finishing your Master in Medicine May-July Research period year 2 (28 weeks), (including presentation and symposium) 34.8 Final exam 2 For CR students: thesis defence Total ECTS Research Master Study Guide

18 3. Research project & time table Research Master Health Sciences In this chapter an overview of the courses and information on the research project of the Research Master in Health Sciences for Master students in Medicine is given. Chapter 4 discusses the Research Master Clinical Research. The following pages include the timetables for Option 1 of the Research Master in Health Sciences programme. Please note that the programme is subject to change. You are advised to regularly check for up-to-date course information. Students who are going to do their research project at the Genetic Epidemiology department will have to attend specific genetic courses during the Erasmus Summer Programme, and in spring and fall. The specific programme outline will be determined together with the Programme Coordinator, Astrid Vrakking. 3.1 Research project An important part of the programme is dedicated to your research project. The programme covers a broad and varied range of research, from major neurological and cardiovascular diseases to the endocrinological determinants of diseases; from paediatric studies to end-of-life decisions in medical practice; and from the social determinants of health and disease to the side effects of drugs. Research areas for students Clinical Research differ form those for students Health Sciences. The research areas and research groups of both programmes are mentioned in our brochure Research Themes: Research Master Programmes Health Sciences and Clinical Research. This brochure is available on the NIHES website. You will work on your research project under the guidance and supervision of the personal tutor to whom, as described in the next paragraph, you are assigned at the start of your programme. All tutors are senior faculty members at the Erasmus University. Each has considerable experience in one or more specific research subjects. On the basis of your research ambitions, the selection committee will choose a field of research and a tutor. The tutor will receive your curriculum vitae. From that point on, it is up to your tutor and you to arrange your further collaboration. The primary tasks of the tutor are: to support and supervise the student during the research phase; to keep track of the content of the student s training programme; to meet the student for at least an hour at least once every two weeks; to arrange for the student to be provided with a desk and computer, usually at the tutor s own department; to arrange that his or her student receives all the necessary computer software, i.e. in addition to the standard software available (see below); to monitor and report on the student's progress and results; to assess the student's research project; to assess the students research paper; to confirm that the student has presented his/her research paper at their department. Practical research As soon as you and your tutor have decided on the topic for a research project, you will start working on your research project. You will be required to formulate a research proposal and design a study. While it is possible for you to collect and analyse data yourself, in most cases you will carry out your project using existing data available at the department. You will work closely together with the research group at your tutor s department, and have full access to the computer facilities available for data management and analysis. As stated above, you will regularly meet with your tutor, especially in the beginning. The research training starts with formulating a research question and writing a research proposal. This proposal should include, among other things, the research objectives, the study design, the data-collection and the data-analysis procedure, and your time schedule. The research topic you choose, will determine the department or research group you will be assigned to and where you will be carrying out your research project. You will start working on your Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 16

19 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students research project after approval of your proposal by your personal tutor. You will write a scientific paper under the guidance of your tutor. Your research proposal As a first-year student, you have to write a research proposal in collaboration with your tutor. If you are a first year Research master student, following option 1, you should hand in your proposal, signed for approval by your tutor, to the NIHES Administration, Educational Support Center (Fe209) for the attention of Mrs Astrid Vrakking before Friday 16 May Please note that this deadline will be strictly maintained. The research proposal should comprise of a maximum of 4 pages (A4, single-spaced text) and contain the following information: objectives; project group; study design; data-collection procedure; data-analysis procedure; time schedule. Presenting your research Symposium Each year, a symposium for medical students who are planning to finish their research project for the Research Master Health Sciences or Clinical Research will be organized. Students have to present their research project. Tutors and advisors are invited too. The date will be announced. Presenting your research at your research department All students in Health Sciences are required to present their research project to their tutor s research group: the tutor needs to confirm, in writing, that the presentation took place on the Research Assessment Form (RAF). Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive this confirmation. The deadline for the tutor handing in the Research Assessment Form is: Five weeks before your graduation. The research presentation counts for 1.4 ECTS. Your thesis Handing in your thesis You are required to write and hand in one draft of a research paper (i.e. the paper before sending it to a scientific journal). This draft paper needs to be submittable to an international peer reviewed scientific journal. Your paper should be approved by your tutor and it should be signed on hard copy by your tutor. This means you need to hand in your thesis to your tutor in time, e.g. at least two weeks before the deadline. The deadline for submitting the approved paper is 5 weeks before the graduation ceremony (See also chapter 6). You send the research paper to the NIHES, Educational Support Center (Fe209) mentioning it concerns a research paper or via to nihes@erasmusmc.nl Your research project may eventually lead to your submission of a paper (i.e. an article) to an international peer reviewed scientific journal. You are responsible to submit your research paper in time. If you are late, you risk being unable to graduate. Your research project will be assessed by your tutor on: effort; motivation; extent of knowledge; creativity; self-guidance or level of indepency. 17 Study Guide

20 You research paper will be assessed by your tutor on: abstract; grasp of literature; problem statement/research question; analysis/methods; presentation of results; interpretation/discussion. Publishing and presenting your research project Once your research paper has been published, a copy should be sent to the NIHES Administration, Educational Support Center (Fe209). Furthermore, Health Sciences students must always mention or refer to NIHES when presenting or publishing their research findings. Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 18

21 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Time table Research Master Health Sciences for Master students in Medicine, option 1 and option 2 2 See also Table 1 on page 13 and Table 2 on page 15. Start 2013 First year Summer 2013 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme ECTS Dates Time & examination Location Conceptual Foundation of Epidemiologic Study Design Daily from 8.45 to hours Aug (ESP38) Exam on last day of the course. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Principles of Genetic Epidemiology (ESP43) Aug Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Case Control Studies (ESP40) Aug Daily from 8.45 to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Pharmaco-epidemiology (ESP21) Aug Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam History of Epidemiologic Ideas (ESP53) Aug Daily from 8.45 to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Health Economics (ESP25) Aug Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Intervention Research and Clinical Trials (EWP04) 0.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Diagnostic Research (EWP05) 0.9 t.b.a. Assignment(s) during course Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Prognostic Research (EWP16) 0.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced Topics in Decision Making in Medicine (EWP02) 1.9 t.b.a. Assignment(s) during course Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses 5.6 to 7.2 Jan Jun You may select 20 to 25 days days of elective courses. (If you have followed KOW2 Ever thought of doing research in your Bachelor Medicine, you need to follow 10 to 15 days (2.8 to 4.2 ECTS) Harvard/Johns Hopkins 4.2 Jun - Jul USA (3 weeks) 2 Option 2 students, who started in 2013, attend this programme until the Erasmus Winter Programme in Study Guide

22 Research Orientation research area and development research proposal 11 February - May 8 weeks Research period May Aug 12 weeks Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend in total 32 seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 6 ECTS. Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 20

23 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Time table Research Master Health Sciences for Master students in Medicine option 1 See also Table 1 on page 13. Start 2012 Second year in 2013 Fall 2013 Programme specific courses and skils courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Scientific writing in English for Publication (SC07) Oct, 6 Nov, 4 and 18 Dec Assignments. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Biostatistical Methods II: classical regression models (EP03) Dec 20 Dec Resit: 7 Feb 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Presentation research project at symposium 1.4 Nov/Dec CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses and skills courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Pharmaco-epidemiology and Drug Safety (EWP03) 1.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials (EWP10) 1.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC Advanced Analysis of Prognosis Studies (EWP13) 0.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC Principles of Epidemiologic Data-analysis (EWP25) 0.7 t.b.a. Last course day. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC Advanced elective courses 2.8 Jan Jun You may select 10 to 15 days days of elective courses Research Research period 2 Throughout the year 29 weeks Final exam After finalisation MSc in Medicine Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend in total 32 seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 6 ECTS. Graduation Information about the formal completion of your programme and the graduation ceremony is t.b.a.. 21 Study Guide

24 4. Research project & time table Research Master Clinical Research In this chapter an overview of the courses and information on research project of the Research Master in Clinical Research for Master students in Medicine is given. In chapter 3, information on the Research Master Health Sciences can be found. 4.1 Research project An important part of the programme is dedicated to your research project. The programme covers a broad and varied range of research, from major neurological and cardiovascular diseases to the endocrinological determinants of diseases; from paediatric studies to end-of-life decisions in medical practice; and from the social determinants of health and disease to the side effects of drugs. Research areas for students Clinical Research differ form those for students Health Sciences. The research areas and research groups of both programmes are mentioned in our brochure Research Themes: Research Master Programmes Health Sciences and Clinical Research This brochure is available on the NIHES website. Advisory Board Clinical Research Advisory Board Clinical Research consists of the following persons: Prof. A.J. van der Lely, MD PhD, Endocrinology Prof. H. Boersma, ir., PhD, Thorax Epidemiology V.A.S.H. Dalm, MD, PhD, Immunology Prof. H. Hooijkaas, MD, PhD, Immunology L.J. Hofland, MD, PhD, Endocrinology Prof. J.F. Lange, MD, PhD, Surgery Prof. M.P. Peppelenbosch, MD, PhD, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Prof. I.P. Touw, MD, PhD, Hematology A.J.M. Verhoeven, PhD, Internal Medicine The Advisory Board Clinical Research guides the study progress of the Clinical Research students. The Board meets every few months. Furthermore, members of the Board are part of the defence committee. The selection committee will choose an advisor of the Advisory Board Clinical Research based on your research ambitions. The advisor will receive your curriculum vitae. From that point on, it is up to your advisor and you to search for a suitable research project and tutor. When you agree on a research project and tutor, please inform your NIHES programme officer at nihes@erasmusmc.nl. Primary tasks of the advisor are: to find a tutor on the basis of the students preferences and possibilities of the research group/department; to keep informed about the study progress; to answer questions and assist the student with solving problems that are not directly connected to the research project and tasks of the tutor; to be present at the symposium. Personal Education Programme (PEP) At the beginning of your Research Master you will receive a Personal Educational Plan, which is meant for you to administrate your programme. The following topics are covered in the PEP: meetings with your advisor Clinical Research and tutor, planning elective courses and performed elective courses and research seminars. Tutor You will work on your research project under the guidance and supervision of the personal tutor to whom you are assigned in discussion with your advisor. All tutors are senior faculty members at the Erasmus University. Each has considerable experience in one or more specific research subjects. The primary tasks of the tutor are: to support and supervise the student during the research phase; to keep track of the content of the student s training programme; to meet the student for at least an hour at least once every two weeks; to arrange for the student to be provided with a desk and computer, usually at the tutor s own department; Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 22

25 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students to arrange that his or her student receives all the necessary computer software, i.e. in addition to the standard software available (see below); to monitor and report on the student's progress and results; to report the research progress to the advisor of the Advisory Board Clinical Research; to assess the student's research project; to find an independent reviewer, preferably outside the Netherlands, to assess the final paper of the students research project; to be present at the final defence meeting of the student. Practical research As soon as you and your tutor have decided on the topic for a research project, you will start working on your research project. You will be required to formulate a research proposal and design a study. While it is possible for you to collect and analyse data yourself, in most cases you will carry out your project using existing data available at the department. You will work closely together with the research group at your tutor s department, and have full access to the computer facilities available for data management and analysis. As stated in paragraph 6.2, you will regularly meet with your tutor, especially in the beginning. The research training starts with formulating a research question and writing a research proposal. This proposal should include, among other things, the research objectives, the study design, the data-collection and the data-analysis procedure, and your time schedule. The research topic you choose, will determine the department or research group you will be assigned to and where you will be carrying out your research project. You will start working on your research project after approval of your proposal by your personal tutor and advisor. You will write a scientific paper under the guidance of your tutor. Your research proposal As a first-year student following option 1, you have to write a research proposal in collaboration with your tutor. You should hand in your proposal, signed for approval by your tutor, to the NIHES Administration, Educational Support Center (Fe209) for the attention of Mrs Astrid Vrakking before Friday 16 May Please note that this deadline will be strictly maintained. The research proposal should comprise of a maximum of 4 pages (A4, single-spaced text) and contain the following information: objectives; project group; study design; data-collection procedure; data-analysis procedure; time schedule. Presenting your research Presenting your research proposal Approximately month after handing in your research proposal, you have to present it to members of the Advisory Board Clinical Research. More information will be announced. Symposium Each year in November, a symposium for medical students who attend the Research Master of Health Sciences and Clinical Research will be organized. Students who are in the third year of their Master have to present their research project. Tutors and advisors are invited too. The date will be announced. Research department Students are also required to present their research project to theirs tutor s research group: the tutor needs to confirm, in writing, that the presentation took place on the Research Assessment Form (RAF). Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive this confirmation. 23 Study Guide

26 The deadline for your tutor handing in the Research Assessment Form is: Five weeks before your graduation. The research presentation counts for 1.4 ECTS. Your thesis Handing in your thesis You are required to write and hand in one draft of a research paper (i.e. the paper before sending it to a scientific journal). This draft paper needs to be submittable to an international peer reviewed scientific journal. Your paper should be approved by your tutor and it should be signed on hard copy by your tutor. The deadline for submitting the paper is dependent of your defence. It will be announced as soon as your defence date is determined. Defence of the research project You also have to defend your research paper in front of a committee with members of the Advisory Board Clinical Research and your tutor. In due time the dates will be announced for which you can sign in aligning with your tutor. Publishing and presenting your research project Once your article has been published, a copy should be sent to the NIHES Administration, Educational Support Center (Fe209). Furthermore, Clinical Research students must always mention or refer to Erasmus MC when presenting or publishing their research findings. Erasmus MC and Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 24

27 Health Sciences & Clinical Research for Medical Students Time table Research Master Clinical Research for Master students in Medicine, option 1 and option 2 3 See also Table 1 on page 13 and Table 2 on page 15. Start 2013 First Research Master year Summer 2013 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme ECTS Dates Time & examination Location Conceptual Foundation of Epidemiologic Study Design Daily from 8.45 to hours Aug (ESP38) Exam on last day of the course. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Principles of Genetic Epidemiology (ESP43) Aug Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Case Control Studies (ESP40) Aug Daily from 8.45 to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Pharmaco-epidemiology (ESP21) Aug Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam History of Epidemiologic Ideas (ESP53) Aug Daily from 8.45 to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Health Economics (ESP25) Aug Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Intervention Research and Clinical Trials (EWP04) 0.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Diagnostic Research (EWP05) 0.9 t.b.a. Assignment(s) during course Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Prognostic Research (EWP16) 0.9 t.b.a. Exam: 21 March. Resit: 14 May Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced Topics in Decision Making in Medicine (EWP02) 1.9 t.b.a. Assignment(s) during course Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses 5.6 to 7.2 Jan Jun You may select 20 to 25 days days of elective courses. (If you have followed KOW2 Ever thought of doing research in your Bachelor Medicine, you need to follow 10 to 15 days (2.8 to 4.2 ECTS) Harvard/Johns Hopkins 4.2 Jun - Jul USA (3 weeks) 3 Option 2 students, who started in 2013, attend this programme until the Erasmus Winter Programme in Study Guide