Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Foundational elements to introduce MSc/PhD students to basic knowledge and skills needed for an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health sciences, drawing from a wide range of methods and approaches used in laboratory sciences, clinical research, health services, policy, social sciences, humanities and public health research.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an introductory seminar, the first of two courses (followed by HSCI 903), which provides an overview of the foundational elements of graduate level research in the health sciences. Aimed at incoming students enrolled in the SFU Faculty of Health Sciences, seeking to undertake their research degrees/thesis within a multidisciplinary environment, this course helps students gain familiarity with the breadth of health sciences research, and to locate their planned study within this landscape.

This course is designed to support students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and varying levels of research experience. This is achieved by focusing on four topic areas: (1) an orientation to the key components and requirements of MSc/PhD studies at SFU; (2) interdisciplinary research, key modes of enquiry and methodological approaches to health sciences research; (3) preparation of funding applications; and (4) research dissemination and engagement. The course is sequenced to guide students through these topics so that they can make informed choices concerning the definition, design and planning of their own study programs, as well as research careers beyond graduation. To facilitate learning, each student is required to write abstracts on seminar presentations, complete the Tri-Council Course on Research Ethics, undertake a peer review exercise, make a presentation on their planned research, and submit a draft research protocol or fellowship application. The course also requires attendance at SFU Faculty of Health Sciences seminars.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• navigate the key steps and procedures required for completing the MSc or PhD programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences, SFU, or MPH thesis option;
• understand the nature of, and key challenges for, conducting health research within an multidisciplinary environment;
• identify the main modes of inquiry in health sciences and navigate available qualitative and quantitative approaches relevant to their research;
• undertake key elements of fellowship and grant application writing to support the funding of their studies and future research;
• demonstrate knowledge of research ethics and successfully navigate ethics approval processes;
• apply understanding of health sciences research to the preparation of a research protocol;
• understand and pursue opportunities for academic publishing, peer reviewing and engagement with peers for research and academic career advancement;
• understand knowledge translation activities relevant to their health research; and
• develop a positive working relationship with their supervisor(s) towards the successful completion of their graduate research

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Course readings will be available online.

REQUIRED READING NOTES: