Director
| El Hajj Fuleihan, Ghada |
| Diploma Director | Tamim, Hani |
| Executive Committee | Tamim, Hani; Nabulsi, Mona; Sibai, Abla; Kanafani, Zeina
|
Background
The Scholars in Health Research Program is a joint FM and FHS graduate program that consists of a 12-credit summer diploma, a 12-credit two-term diploma, as well as a 35-credit master’s degree. The summer diploma, two-term diploma, and the MS degree are open to graduates of health fields. Social scientists and humanities graduates interested in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) can also enroll in the program, provided they fulfill admission and selection criteria and have the necessary background to follow the course curriculum. Credits earned for the SHARP summer diploma and two-term diploma can be credited towards the master of science in health research requirements. These credits can also be credited in full or partly towards other post-graduate degrees at FM, FHS, FAFS, or HSON and possibly at other institutions.
SHARP provides graduates with the required foundation to pursue a career in clinical and translational research. Although focused on NCD, a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the region, the garnered skills are applicable to other areas of clinical research. The Program helps create and sustain a cadre of highly trained researchers who conduct patient-oriented and population-oriented studies on NCD. It also equips trainees with management and leadership skills needed to become “change agents” and lead research groups, academic departments, or other healthcare settings. Management and leadership courses are offered in collaboration with faculty at the Olayan School of Business.
Mission
The mission of Scholars in Health Research Program (SHARP) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) is “To provide superior didactic education complemented with state-of-the-art interactive and practical training in health research, with a focus on non-communicable diseases research. It is intended for physicians and other healthcare professionals, to improve and advance the health care agenda for non-communicable diseases in Lebanon and the region.”
SHARP Diploma Curriculum
The SHARP diploma is a 12-credit module that provides the essential foundations in quantitative methods and fundamental skills to conduct research. The core disciplines covered include epidemiology, biostatistics, research ethics and library sciences/informatics. These are complemented with a practical hands-on training course in the analysis and reporting of large health-related datasets in NCD. The SHARP diploma is offered as an intensive summer program and as a two-term online program.
Master of Science in Health Research (SHARP)
Admission to the Program
The application deadline for the summer diploma is in March, and the acceptance is in April of each academic year calendar. The application deadline for the two-term diploma is in June, and the acceptance is in August of each academic year calendar. The application deadline for the MS degree in health research is in June, and the deadline for acceptance is in July of each academic year calendar. The SHARP diploma (either summer or two-term) is a prerequisite for the SHARP MS program, and the performance in the diploma is evaluated to ensure the candidate is suitable for continuing on the MS path. Students should apply to the MS program by early June and are accepted upon successful completion of the diploma program (minimum GPA 3.3). While the 2-year program is approved for all, the 1-year program is approved by the Lebanese Ministry of Education for medical doctors only. For more details, please refer to the Office of Admissions section of the AUB graduate catalogue.
Criteria for Admission
All applicants to the SHARP summer diploma and two-term diploma and the master of science in health research must satisfy the criteria established at AUB for enrollment into a master’s degree program, namely the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) and a minimum degree of BS with a minimum GPA of 3.3 or its equivalent.
In addition, applicants should express/demonstrate commitment to a career in NCD research in the statement of purpose submitted along with their application.
Applications for the summer program are reviewed by the SHARP executive committee.
Applications for the MS program are reviewed by the joint FM/FHS Graduate Studies Committee.
The Application Process
Applicants are considered for admission to the SHARP summer diploma and two-term diploma and the MS program if they meet the following minimum admission requirements:
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 for MS and 3.0 for diploma (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning) leading to a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from recognized institutions of higher learning.
- Have a graduate degree.
- Have good quantitative skills as assessed by MCAT, GRE, or GMAT (no cut-off score). Applicants with MD or master’s degree from AUB are exempted.
- At least two letters of recommendation.
- A statement of purpose (500-word limit) indicating the purpose for applying to the program and specifying the applicant’s research interests and/or practical experience.
Applicants to any graduate program, other than AUB graduates and graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. See the Office of Admissions section in this catalogue.
Graduation Requirements
See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue.
Incompletes
See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue.
Probation
See General University Academic Information section in this catalogue.
Program Outline
The 35-credit master’s degree requirements can be completed over one full-time year (available to doctor of medicine graduates only) or two part-time years. The total number of allowed credits per term is 16 unless otherwise approved by the joint FM/FHS Graduate Studies Committee. The degree consists of the 12-credit diploma in addition to 15 credits in required courses, 2 credits of electives and 6 credits for the thesis. The thesis is a mentored research project culminating in the completion of a project revolving around non-communicable diseases. In compliance with AUB requirements, scholars must also sit for a 0-credit comprehensive exam (Pass/Fail) during their last term.
Program Delivery
The 35-credit program is divided as indicated below:
-
Summer diploma and two-term diploma: The 12-credit diploma, taken as either an intensive diploma in the summer, or an online two-term diploma, consists of five courses: Biostatistics (4 cr.), Principles of Epidemiology (4 cr.), Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research (1.5 cr.), Analysis and Reporting of Large Clinical Datasets (2 cr.) and Library Science/Informatics (0.5 cr.). These courses consist of didactic lectures, faculty-facilitated discussion groups, laboratory sessions and group projects. The courses in epidemiology and biostatistics are held in conjunction with the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), while the Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research is held in conjunction with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP).
-
Courses: Students are required to take a total of 15 credits of required courses, 2 credits of elective courses.
-
Thesis: Each student is required to select a clinical research project and identify adviser(s) from among the Faculty of Medicine (FM) and FHS faculty engaged in clinical research. Mentors and projects are approved by the joint FM/FHS Graduate Studies Committee (GSC). For those pursuing the 2-year track, the research project typically begins in the spring term of the student’s first year and culminates in a thesis document and oral thesis defense delivered before the end of the second academic year. For those choosing the 1-year track, the process begins early in the fall term and ends in the spring term of the same academic year. All projects are supervised by a thesis committee.
Comprehensive Examination
Students are expected to pass a 0-credit comprehensive examination course after completion of all required courses. If students do not pass the comprehensive exam, they are allowed to take it a second time in the following term as per AUB regulations. The comprehensive examination has a Pass (P) or Fail (F) format, and timing of the examination is set by the program.
Tracks
Master of Science: 1-Year Program
|
12 Credit Diploma / Course Title |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
Principles of Epidemiology/Design and Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
| SHRP 300/320
| FM
| 4
|
| Basic Biostatistics | SHRP 310 | FM | 4
|
| Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research | SHRP 315
| FM
| 1.5
|
| Analysis and Reporting of Large Clinical Datasets | SHRP 330
| FM
| 2
|
| Library Science /Informatics | SHRP 325 | FM
| 0.5
|
|
Fall – 13 credits |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
| Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials | EPHD 321 | FHS | 2
|
| Clinical Trial Protocol | SHRP 321A | FM
| 2
|
| Leadership and Behavior in Organizations | MNGT 306
| OSB
| 3
|
| Thesis | SHRP 400
| FM
| 6
|
|
Spring – 10 credits |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
| Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | EPHD 328
| FHS | 3
|
| Public Health Policy and Advocacy | PBHL 304
| FHS | 3
|
| Comprehensive Examination | SHRP 395A
| -
| 0
|
| Elective | -
| -
| 2
|
Advances in NCD Research
|
SHRP 340
|
FM/FHS
|
2
|
| Thesis | SHRP 400A | FM
| 0
|
Master of Science: 2-Year Program
|
12 Credit Diploma / Course Title |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
Principles of Epidemiology/Design and Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
| SHRP 300/320
| FM
| 4
|
| Basic Biostatistics | SHRP 310 | FM
| 4
|
| Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research | SHRP 315
| FM
| 1.5
|
| Analysis and Reporting of Large Clinical Datasets | SHRP 330 | FM
| 2
|
| Library Science/informatics | SHRP 325
| FM
| 0.5
|
|
Fall I – 4 credits |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
| Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials | EPHD 321
| FHS
| 2
|
| Clinical Trial Protocol | SHRP 321A | FM | 2
|
|
Spring I – 9 credits |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
| Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | EPHD 328
| FHS
| 3
|
| Thesis | SHRP 400
| FM
| 6
|
|
Fall II – 5 credits |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
| Leadership and Behavior in Organizations | MNGT 306 | OSB | 3
|
| Thesis | SHRP 400A | FM
| 0
|
| Elective | -
| -
| 2
|
|
Spring II – 5 credits |
Course Number |
Faculty |
Credits |
| Public Health Policy and Advocacy | PBHL 304
| FHS
| 3
|
Advances in NCD Research
|
SHRP 340
|
FM/FHS
|
2
|
| Thesis | SHRP 400B | FM
| 0
|
| Comprehensive Examination | SHRP 395A/B
| -
| 0
|
Course Descriptions
Electives
SHARP MS students are allowed a total of 2 credits of electives that can be taken either as established offered courses at any of the following faculties: FM, FHS, OSB, FAFS and HSON (including those listed below), or as tutorials (credits) and seminars (1 credit), provided they are post-graduate courses and are approved by the SHARP director.