Summer Clinical Research Workshop | Epidemiology & Biostatistics

We are currently accepting applications. The application deadline is July 10, 2026.

The Summer Clinical Research Workshop a seven-week program intended to introduce individuals to the field of clinical research. The program includes courses that are the starting point for all clinical research training at UCSF.

Through coursework, students will gain the skills to:

Create a sound clinical research protocol;
Collect and manage clinical research data; and
Explore clinical research data, including the emerging spectrum of "big data".

Courses are held at the UCSF Mission Bay campus.

For individuals who will participate in clinical research in a supportive capacity, the Summer Workshop alone is sufficient training. For others desiring to be independent investigators, the Summer Workshop serves as introductory material for the more advanced Advanced Training in Clinical Research Certificate and Master's Degree in Clinical & Epidemiologic Research.

We also offer a one-year Online Clinical Research Workshop for individuals who wish to learn the basic methods and conduct of clinical research and may not have time to complete a formal degree program or may not need a formal degree.

Curriculum

Designing Clinical Research

EPI 202 (M. Pletcher, Director)

This course is an introduction to the methods of designing clinical research studies. We broadly define clinical research as patient-oriented, translational, epidemiologic, comparative effectiveness, behavioral, outcomes, or health services research, or any other health-related research that has individual human beings or groups of human beings as its unit of observation). Students are exposed to overarching concepts and essential vocabulary for designing and interpreting clinical research, and apply these concepts by creating a research protocol that is intended to address a relevant research question in their specific area of interest.

Database Management Systems for Clinical Research

EPI 218 (M. Kohn, Director)

Instruction in choosing the appropriate data management system; design of research databases; options in data entry; form and report generation; computer security; and budgeting for data management personnel and equipment.

Introduction to Statistical Computing in Clinical Research

BIOSTAT 212 (J. Chu/A. Mirzazadeh, Director)

Instruction in use of statistical software for exploring and analyzing clinical research data. While the roles of spreadsheet and relational database programs will be discussed, the course will focus on the STATA statistical software package for analyzing and presenting data.

Students may also take these optional summer courses to round out their training:

Opportunities and Challenges of Complex Biomedical Data: Introduction to the Science of "Big Data" BIOSTAT 202)
Programming for Health Data Science in R (BIOSTAT 213)
Responsible Conduct of Research (EPI 201)
Introduction to Clinical Informatics (EPI 232)

Cost

The fees below are for 2024. Fees for subsequent years are subject to change.

Required courses	UC Affiliation*	No UC Affiliation
Designing Clinical Research (EPI 202)	$2300	$3300
Data Management Systems in Clinical Research (EPI 218)	$1900	$2500
Introduction to Statistical Computing in Clinical Research (BIOSTAT 212)	$1900	$2500

* Concurrent enrollment in a University of California-sponsored residency or post-doctoral fellowship program that is recognized by the Office of Graduate Medical Education; or a registered student in one of the professional schools or graduate programs at the University of California (in a program other than the TICR program); or individuals who hold full-time salaried University of California faculty, academic or staff positions. Please note: Individuals will be asked to provide proof of UC status.

Info Session

See our last info session to learn more about Training in Clinical Research.