Periyar Maniammai University in Thanjavur is offering a Post Graduate (MSc) Course in Clinical Research from the coming academic year. According to University sources, among other new courses planned for the year, the two year PG course will provide the students the requisite knowledge to enable them to pursue a career in the Clinical Research Industry and other research institutions.

The course assumes importance in the sense that the students will have in-depth training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of clinical research, regulatory affairs and clinical data management required in the clinical research industry.

The course is focused on multiple scopes of job opportunities, and supported by highly qualified medical practitioners. Lessons on Implementation of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) standards will also be taught as part of theory classes.

Sources from the university said as per the recent Mckinsey report on Clinical Trials in India, it is estimated that the industry potential will grow to $1.8- 2 billion in the years to come. The aspirants of this programme, on successful completion of the course, will have a plethora of opportunities as Clinical Research Associates (CRA), Medical Writers, Clinical Data Coordinators, Drug Development Associates and Regulatory Affairs Managers and Biostatisticians in Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
They will also be absorbed in by pharmaceutical companies, major laboratories and Clinical Research Institutes.

Graduates in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Home Science, Zoology, Food and Nutrition, MLT, Bioscience, Physiology, B Pharm, MBBS, BDS and BSc Nursing from a recognized university can join the course.