Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience) (N05NS) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

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Intended learning outcomes

Graduates of the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience) should:



  • Have a high-level understanding of the major activities involved in planning clinical research methodologies applicable to problems in neurological disease;
  • Have a sound knowledge of the overlap with basic science advances across the neuroscience field and a good understanding of clinical synergies;
  • Have gained insights into the broad "hot topics" in neuroscience research and be able to generate useful discussions and ideas;
  • Be able to analyse and critically appraise the clinical and basic neuroscience literature in a chosen topic of interest;
  • Be able to apply this knowledge through creating new ideas for clinical research projects;
  • Be able to work in teams and effectively communicate clinical research findings;
  • Demonstrate a high level of understanding of various advanced clinical research techniques that have broad application to many areas of neuroscience;
  • Understand clinical research applications of brain imaging techniques;
  • Understand the need for multi-disciplinary integration in clinical research and be able to establish appropriate collaborations across disciplines;
  • Have gained insights into current research applications of these techniques across the various neuroscience disciplines;
  • Be able to develop innovative strategies to investigate clinical neuroscience research questions to pursue in response to particular neurological problems; and
  • Have achieved a level of competency enabling them to create and conduct high quality clinical neuroscience research projects from the original concept through to submission of competitive research proposals.

Graduate attributes

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

  • Academically excellent:
    • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
    • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
    • reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
    • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
    • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
  • Knowledgeable across disciplines:
    • examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
    • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
    • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
    • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
  • Leaders in communities:
    • initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
    • have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
    • mentor future generations of learners
    • engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
  • Attuned to cultural diversity:
    • value different cultures
    • be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
    • have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
    • respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
  • Active global citizens:
    • accept social and civic responsibilities
    • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment

have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

Last updated: 12 November 2022