This course gives you the necessary academic background and specialist skills to carry out healthcare and clinical research in health services, academic environments, contract research organisations, or pharmaceutical industry environments. It is designed for those who need an understanding of the healthcare research process, providing a detailed picture of the complex and highly inter-related activities of the development cycle, from discovery to successful commercialisation. If you are a graduate, nurse, medical doctor or other health professional working in contract research organisations, the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare, this programme has been designed for you. This programme will: Give you an understanding of the regulatory framework governing good clinical research; Allow you to apply the principles that you have learnt to your professional commitments; Contribute to the research culture and knowledge base in healthcare; Give you the knowledge to solve problems in healthcare practice; Develop your skills in gathering, recording and communicating information. A variety of teaching and learning methods will be employed including; seminars, self-directed learning, one–to-one tutorials, case presentations, reading lists of books and journal papers. The direction of your individual study will be guided by the formal study sessions you attend, along with your reading lists and assignments. However, we expect you to demonstrate an active role in your own learning by reading widely and expanding your own knowledge, understanding and critical ability. Independent study will foster in you the ability to identify your own learning needs and determine which areas you need to focus on to become proficient in your subject area. This is an important transferable skill and will help to prepare you for the transition to working life. The assessment of the taught modules is by continuous assessment. You will submit essay-style answers, a series of shorter answers or a mixture of both. These are marked and returned to you according to the timetable specified in the Programme Handbook. There is no final written examination.