Experiences
Beyond coursework, students learn the specialized skills necessary to conduct clinical research through additional experiences completed during graduate training. The following expectations supplement requirements of the Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate program.
Comprehensive Exam
CPSP graduate students must propose a clinical study and address human subject protections in their written proposal. The comprehensive exam committee asks questions during the oral examination which will test the student's ability and knowledge in the responsible conduct of clinical research.
Dissertation/Thesis Research
CPSP graduate students conduct research that meets the NIH definition of clinical research: Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. Patient-oriented research includes: (a) mechanisms of human disease, (b) therapeutic interventions, (c) clinical trials, and (d) development of new technologies.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
CPSP graduate students serve as an investigator on an IRB-approved protocol and are encouraged to serve as Principal Investigators with faculty oversight in accordance with University of Pittsburgh IRB policies.
Preparation and Review of Manuscripts
CPSP graduate students are expected to prepare manuscripts of their dissertation and other research and submit them for peer reviewed publication in collaboration. Published literature in the student's area of research is reviewed on an ongoing basis (individually by the student and through journal clubs). CPSP graduate students should also have the opportunity to review unpublished manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals with their faculty major advisor.