Fundamentals of Clinical and Translational Science (FunCaTS)

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of the patients we serve? Do you care about making sure scientific discoveries are translated into clinical practice?

Clinical and translational science is the process of turning laboratory discoveries into actionable clinical interventions that can improve communities' health. FunCaTS is the perfect way to introduce yourself to these concepts and learn what it takes to be a successful clinical and translational professional.

This course is delivered asynchronously, allowing you to engage with the materials at your own pace and on your timeline. The FunCaTS course can be completed in approximately four hours. It is divided into 13 modules.

FunCaTS is free for internal and external learners; registration information can be found below.

Intended audience

FunCaTS has enrolled learners from all over the world in many different stages of professional development. This course is specially tailored to undergraduate, postbaccalaureate and medical school students, learners currently in a fellowship or residency, faculty, and those interested in lifelong learning. We have welcomed healthcare practitioners, researchers, investigators and scientists. We hope to add to that list over time as our accessible course expands to wider audiences.

Curriculum

Course director: Nathan P. Staff, M.D., Ph.D.

Course outcomes

  • Identify and describe the clinical and translational science process.
  • Describe clinical and translational science's impact on clinical practice, including the social and ethical context.
  • Explain clinical and translational science methodologies.

Course outline

  • Introduction to Clinical and Translational Research — Anthony J. Windebank, M.D.
  • Developing a Research Question — John O. Ebbert, M.D.
  • Research Approaches for Collecting Scientific Evidence — Walter A. Rocca, M.D., M.P.H.
  • Introduction to Study Design — Walter A. Rocca, M.D., M.P.H.
  • How To Write a Research Proposal — Jon O. Ebbert, M.D.
  • Principles of Human Subjects Research — Jessica R. Hirsch, M.A.
  • Statistics — Felicity T. Enders, Ph.D.
    • Basic Principles
    • Questions Statisticians Ask
    • What are Confidence Intervals and P-values?
    • Statistical Errors and How to Avoid Them
    • Using Statistics as You Read the Literature
  • An Overview of Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) — Joyce Balls-Berry, Ph.D.
  • Responsible Conduct of Research — Richard Sharp, Ph.D.
  • Why is Clinical and Translational Science Important? — David O. Warner, M.D.

Registration

  • FunCaTS is free for internal and external learners; registration information can be found below.
  • Mayo Clinic employees: Log in to the Mayo Clinic network and navigate to My Learning. Under "Find Learning," search for course code 502E00FCTS0000.
  • External learners should complete the registration form to begin the enrollment process.

Note: Internal learners who complete FunCaTS through the external process will not receive credit in My Learning.

Contact

Please get in touch with the CCaTS Workforce team with any questions.