DAS Clinical Trial Practice and Management

University of Basel

Successful clinical research requires clinical experience, but also extensive knowledge about all phases of the clinical research process, awareness of regulatory requirements as well as project management and leadership skills. The complex and highly competitive nature of clinical research results in a growing need for well-trained clinical research professionals, not least those working as study coordinators, study managers, clinical monitors or clinical research assistants.

Clinical research professionals usually start their careers with background knowledge from diverse graduate trainings often lacking structured training in clinical research. Still, they are facing highly demanding responsibilities in a complex, ever-evolving, interdisciplinary and often multinational environment. Fortunately, training at the postgraduate level is increasingly being recognized as essential to developing scientific, technical and interpersonal competences to ultimately enhance the quality of clinical research.

The goal of this program is to prepare trainees for the variety of management and leadership roles in different clinical research settings such as academia, pharmaceutical, medical device or biotech industry, clinical research organisations and regulatory agencies.

This program consists of the two postgraduate educational programs CAS Clinical Research I (or equivalent training) and CAS Clinical Research II plus a diploma thesis and an oral exam.

The CAS Clinical Research I and II programs comprise a total of 7 teaching modules. Teaching modules consist of online courses for self-study and individual completion and classroom training sessions (2-3 days with practical exercises and group discussions). Acquired competencies will be checked by multiple-choice tests and homework assignments.

To gain insights into the daily work life in a clinical research profession, two one-week internships (work-shadowings) at a host site within the field of clinical research have to be completed. The host’s main field of activity should be different from the student’s main expertise. It is the responsibility of the student to find a suitable host for the internship.

After completion of the CAS Clinical Research I and II programs, students are required to formulate a diploma thesis related to their personal work environment or special interest within the scope of clinical research. A final oral examination will be conducted by experts within clinical research for each individual student.

Successful completion of this DAS program will be awarded with 31 ECTS credit points and the accredited university title "Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) Clinical Trial Practice and Management".

Individuals interested in a shorter educational program may want to access more detailed information on CAS Clinical Research I , CAS Study Nurse/Coordinator and CAS Clinical Research II .

People working in any area of clinical research either in academia or in industry (study nurses, study coordinators, clinical research associates, study physicians, assistant physicians, etc.) People holding a science degree (minimum Bachelor’s) or medical students with an interest in pursuing continuing education in clinical research practices. Individuals holding a degree equivalent to CAS Clinical Research I or II should please contact the Directors of Studies for a personal consulting.

This program is conducted in partnership with European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM).

The multidisciplinary teaching faculty consists of national and international experts in clinical research ethics, regulatory sciences and the different fields of operational clinical research.

Mareike Gräter Training and Education Departement of Clinical Research (DKF), University of Basel c/o University Hospital Basel Spitalstrasse 8/12 CH-4031 Basel

mareike.graeter@usb.ch Tel. 0041 (0)61 556 59 76
Training and Education Departement of Clinical Research

Available Mon-Thu 08.30h - 13.30h

CHF 13’500

Fees include course materials, provisions during coffee/tea breaks and overhead fees.
The course fee will be collected in 5 tranches approximately every 6 months.

The Department of Clinical Research (DKF) offers training grants for members of DKF clinical research groups . Applications for training grants can be submitted when registering for the program.

Please inform us of any change of employment after course registration and/or during the course.

Cancellation and withdrawal
Cancellations made prior to the closing date for enrolment will not be subject to any charge. If a cancellation is made after the closing date for enrolment, the full applicable fee will be charged. Course fees already paid will not be refunded.

Should participants withdraw from the program or discontinue participation,no discount from the course fee will be granted and any share of the course fee will not be refunded.

Classroom training dates 2022/2023

CAS Clinical Research I

The next course cycle will be starting in February 2024

Clinical Research II

The next CAS II course cycle will take place in 2024/25. Please register here , if you would like to be informed about details on the next course.

Course dates: CAS Study Nurse/Coordinator (in German only)

The course provider will comply with any safety measurements required by Swiss authorities, the University of Basel, and the University Hospital Basel. If necessary, classroom training will be adapted to online/virtual sessions.

To register for the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) Clinical Trial Practice and Management program, interested candidates should first register for the CAS Clinical Research I or CAS Study Nurse/Coordinator program. Admission to the DAS program will be granted after successful completion of the CAS Clinical Research I program / CAS Study Nurse/Coordinator( (or equivalent) plus the CAS Clinical Research II program.

The next course cycle will start in spring 2024 (CASI) and autumn 2024 (CASII). Please click here if you would like to be informed about details on the next course.

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