American University of Beirut

Background

The Scholars in HeAlth Research Program is a joint FM and FHS graduate program that consists of a 12-credit summer diploma, a 12-credit two-semester diploma, as well as a 35-credit master’s degree. The summer diploma, two-semester diploma, and the MS degree are open to graduat​es of health fields. Social scientists and humanities graduates interested in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) can also enroll in the program, provided they fulfill admission and selection criteria and have the necessary background to follow the course curriculum. Credits earned for the SHARP summer diploma and two-semester diploma can be credited towards the Master of Science in Health Research requirements. These credits can also be credited in full or partly towards other post-graduate degrees at FM, FHS, FAFS, or HSON and possibly at other institutions.

SHARP provides graduates with the required foundation to pursue a career in clinical and translational research. Although focused on NCD, a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the region, the garnered skills are applicable to other areas of clinical research. The Program helps create and sustain a cadre of highly trained researchers who conduct patient-oriented and population-oriented studies on NCD. It also equips trainees with management and leadership skills needed to become “change agents” and lead research groups, academic departments or other health care settings. Management and leadership courses are offered in collaboration with faculty at the Olayan School of Business.

Mission

The Mission of the Scholars in HeAlth Research Program (SHARP) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) is “To provide superior didactic education complemented with state-of-the-art interactive and practical training in health research, with a focus on Non-Communicable Diseases research. It is intended for physicians and other health care professionals, to improve and advance the health care agenda for Non-Communicable Diseases in Lebanon and the region.”

SHARP Diploma Curriculum

The SHARP diploma is a 12-credit module that provides the essential foundations in quantitative methods and fundamental skills to conduct research. The core disciplines covered include epidemiology, biostatistics, research ethics and library sciences/informatics. These are complemented with a practical hands-on training course in the analysis and reporting of large health-related datasets in NCD. The SHARP diploma is offered as an intensive summer program and as a two-semester online program.

SHARP Master of Science in Health Research

Admission to the Program

The application deadline for the summer diploma is in March, and the acceptance is in April of each academic year calendar. The application deadline for the two-semester diploma is in March, and the acceptance is in May of each academic year calendar. The application deadline for the MS degree in Health Research is in June, and the deadline for acceptance is in July of each academic year calendar. The SHARP diploma (either summer or two-semester)is a prerequisite for the SHARP MS program, and the performance in the diploma is evaluated to ensure the candidate is suitable for continuing on the MS path. Students should apply to the MS program by early June and are accepted upon successful completion of the diploma program (minimum GPA 3.3). While the 2-year program is approved for all, the 1-year program is approved by the Lebanese Ministry of Education for medical doctors only. For more details, please refer to the Admissions section of the AUB graduate catalogue, page 34.

Criteria for Admission

All applicants to the SHARP summer diploma and two-semester diploma and the Master of Science in Health Research must satisfy the criteria established at AUB for enrollment into a master’s degree program, namely the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) (see page 41​ of this catalogue) and a minimum degree of BS with a minimum GPA of 3.3 or its equivalent.

In addition, applicants should express/demonstrate commitment to a career in NCD research in the statement of purpose submitted along with their application.

Applications for the summer program are reviewed by the SHARP executive committee.

Applications for the MS program are reviewed by the joint FM/FHS Graduate Studies Committee.

The Application Process

An applicant is considered for admission to the SHARP summer diploma and two-semester diploma and the MS program if s/he meets the following minimum admission requirements:

• an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning) leading to a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from recognized institutions of higher learning
• at least two letters of recommendation
• a statement of purpose (500-word limit) indicating the purpose for applying to the program and specifying the applicant’s research interests and/or practical experience

Applicants to any graduate program, other than AUB graduates and graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. See Admissions section in this catalogue, page 47.

Graduation Requirements

See General University Academic Information in this catalogue, page 75.

Incompletes

See General University Academic Information in this catalogue, page 57.

Probation

See General University Academic Information in this catalogue, page 59​.

Program Outline

The 35-credit master’s degree requirements can be completed over one full-time year (available to Doctor of Medicine graduates only) or two part-time years. The total number of allowed credits per term is 16 unless otherwise approved by the joint FM/FHS Graduate Studies Committee. The degree consists of the 12-credit diploma in addition to 15 credits in required courses, 2 credits of electives and 6 credits for the thesis. The thesis is a mentored research project culminating in the completion of a project revolving around Non-Communicable Diseases. In compliance with AUB requirements, scholars must also sit for a 0-credit comprehensive exam (Pass/Fail) during their last term.

Program Delivery

The 35-credit program is divided as indicated below:

• ​Summer diploma and two-semester diploma: The 12-credit diploma, taken as either an intensive diploma in the summer, or an online two-semester diploma, consists of five courses: Biostatistics (4 cr.), Principles of Epidemiology (4 cr.), Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research (1.5 cr.), Analysis and Reporting of Large Clinical Datasets (2 cr.) and Library Science/Informatics (0.5 cr.). These courses consist of didactic lectures, faculty-facilitated discussion groups, laboratory sessions and group projects. The courses in epidemiology and biostatistics are held in conjunction with the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), while the Introduction to Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research is held in conjunction with the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program (SHBPP).
• Courses: Students are required to take a total of 15 credits in required courses, 2 credits of elective courses.
• Thesis: Each student is required to select a clinical research project and identify advisor(s) from among the Faculty of Medicine (FM) and FHS faculty engaged in clinical research. Mentors and projects are approved by the joint FM/FHS Graduate Studies Committee (GSC). For those pursuing the 2-year track, the research project typically begins in the Spring term of the student’s first year and culminates in a thesis document and oral thesis defense delivered before the end of the second academic year. For those choosing the 1-year track, the process begins early in the Fall term and ends in the Spring term of the same academic year. All projects are supervised by a thesis committee.

Comprehensive Examination

Each student is expected to pass a 0-credit comprehensive examination course after completion of all required courses. If a student does not pass the comprehensive exam, s/he is allowed to take it a second time in the following term as per AUB regulations. The Comprehensive Examination has a Pass (P) or Fail (F) format, and timing of the examination is set by the program.

Tracks

Course Descriptions

Required Courses

• Scholars in HeAlth Research Pro​gram (SHARP) Graduate Courses

Electives

SHARP MS students are allowed a total of 2 credits of electives that can be taken either as established offered courses at any of the following faculties: FM, FHS, OSB, FAFS and HSON (including those listed below), or as tutorials (credits) and seminars (1 credit), provided they are post-graduate courses and are approved by the SHARP Director.

• Scholars in HeAlth Research Pro​gram (SHARP) Graduate Courses

MS in Public Health Nutrition

The Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition is a new graduate program offered jointly by the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) and the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at AUB. Students may pursue the Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition in either a thesis or a non-thesis track. The successful completion of the degree will require 40 credit hours for both tracks. Credits must be earned within the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the Faculty of Health Sciences.

For the non-thesis track, 38 credits out of the required 40 credits should be earned as core program courses, including a culminating experience and a practicum. Two credits must be acquired as one or two elective courses either earned within or at both faculties. 

For the thesis track, students must complete a total of 34 credits as core courses and must work on a 6-credit thesis under the supervision of a thesis advisor and thesis committee and defend their thesis as per AUB graduate program policies.

The credit requirements for both the thesis and non-thesis track options are tabulated below.

Credit requirements for both the thesis and non-thesis options for the Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition