Research Ethics

All Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students and postdoctoral scholars are required to become certified in Research Ethics. Three types of certification may be required depending on the type of research that the trainee will undertake:

1) Professionalism and Research Conduct (PARC)

This is a required course for all 3rd year Basic Sciences students and all MD/PhD students entering doctoral study but who are not on the PHS track. The PARC course helps to center our students in areas that are foundational to success in research - responsible data management, management of intellectual property, the ethical use of research subjects, recognizing and resolving conflicts of interest, professionalism in peer review and publishing, engaging mentors, career exploration, and creating an Individual Development Plan (IDP). The PARC course comprises faculty-led presentations and small group discussions with case studies and workshop material. An on line learning module (CITI training program comprising many case studies) is also included which must be completed before the end of the fall semester.

2) Using Animals in Biomedical Research

Presented by the UMass Chan IACUC (Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee). This curriculum is mandatory for all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who undertake research with vertebrate animals. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows must complete this training during the first semester in which they engage in research projects involving animal subjects.

3) Human Subjects Research

Institutional Review Board Training made available via the CITI program. This curriculum is mandatory for all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who undertake human subjects research. Trainees must complete this curriculum during the first semester in which they engage in research involving human subjects.