Course Title: Clinical Trial Design and Management

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Clinical Trial Design and Management

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS2304

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015

ONPS2304

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Paul Bertrand

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7898

Course Coordinator Email: paul.bertrand@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.02.041

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment only


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

The course provides an overview of the drug development process in human volunteers and patients, that follows pre-clinical safety and toxicity studies in animals. The emphasis is on clinical trial design and management, including clinical epidemiology.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following program level outcomes for BP311 Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences:

  • Critically analyse and solve scientific problems (PLO 2)
  • Communication and teamwork (PLO 3)
  • Investigation and analysis (PLO 4)
  • Accountability for your own learning and professional conduct (PLO5)

 


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of clinical trials, including the four (4) different phases of clinical trials, standard operating procedures, regulatory approval and ethics committee review;
  2. conduct and report on a clinical trial, including study protocol, study design, investigator and subject selection, monitoring of the study, and analysing the study data;
  3. apply biostatistics in the analysis of clinical data;
  4. measure drug effects in humans applying principles of pharmaco-epidemiology
  5. work effectively in a team environment


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is designed to assist in the preparation of graduates for employment as responsible workers in the pharmaceutical industry or related government areas, or to pursue postgraduate clinical research in pharmacology or toxicology. External experts from industry will participate in the presentation of the course material to ensure that the course remains relevant to the workplace, thus enhancing the employability of graduates.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Written assessments may assess the students’ understanding of the material presented, as well as the application of that knowledge to clinical trials management in the pharmaceutical industry.

There may be a major written assignment and assessment through participation in workshops and tutorials. Tutorials and workshops held throughout the semester are designed to stimulate problem-solving skills and critical thinking, and to develop knowledge and practical experience in clinical study design and analysis. 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Tutorial Activities
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Mid-semester take-home Assignment (Modules 1-2)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: End-of-semester take-home Assignment (Modules 3-4)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 4: Clinical Trial Project
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLO 2, 3, 4 & 5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.