University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What you'll study

The programme combines core biomedical science with applied clinical research methods. You will take modules that typically include clinical physiology and pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, biostatistics and epidemiology, research design and methodology, clinical trial design and management, and research ethics. Emphasis is placed on translational approaches that connect laboratory discoveries to patient care.

• Core modules: pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, advanced human physiology, biostatistics and epidemiology, research methods.
• Clinical research and translation: clinical trial design, regulatory affairs, outcome measurement, data management and interpretation.
• Skills and professional development: scientific communication, research ethics and responsible conduct, grant writing, interprofessional teamwork.
• Electives and specialised topics: precision medicine, imaging and diagnostics, oncology/translational cancer research, infectious disease or population health electives depending on faculty offerings.
• Capstone or thesis: most students complete either an original research thesis or an applied capstone project in collaboration with clinical investigators or UNC Health partners, supported by access to hospital data, laboratory facilities and mentorship from School of Medicine faculty.
• Practical experience: practicum placements or clinical immersion experiences are commonly available through UNC Health, providing exposure to study coordination, patient-facing research activities and multidisciplinary clinical teams.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biomedical sciences, biology, chemistry, nursing, public health or a related field. A strong academic record in coursework related to human physiology, biochemistry and statistics is typically required.

• Official undergraduate degree with transcripts demonstrating solid performance in science and quantitative courses.
• Letters of recommendation, usually two to three, from academic or professional referees who can speak to research potential and readiness for graduate study.
• A personal statement outlining academic interests, research experience and career goals; a curriculum vitae or résumé summarising research, clinical or work experience is also expected.
• Some applicants may be asked for GRE scores where required by the programme; check current admissions guidance. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency if required.
• Relevant research experience, clinical exposure or laboratory internships strengthen an application. For applicants aiming to proceed to clinical doctoral programmes, strong interpersonal and communication skills are beneficial.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles across clinical research, healthcare and industry. Typical career pathways include clinical research coordinator or manager, clinical data specialist, regulatory affairs associate, medical science liaison, and roles in drug development or biotechnology companies. The programme also prepares students for further training—many use the degree as preparation for clinical doctoral programmes (MD, DO, DPT) or doctoral research degrees (PhD) in biomedical sciences.

Alumni work in academic medical centres, clinical trials units, contract research organisations, public health agencies and industry. The research and regulatory training provided makes graduates competitive for positions that require an understanding of study design, patient-centred research and translational science.

Why study at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill offers this programme within a major public research university closely integrated with the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health, providing access to diverse clinical populations and translational research infrastructure. The university is home to established research institutes and collaborative units—such as the translational sciences institute—that support clinical investigators and trainees.

Students benefit from mentorship by faculty engaged in clinical and translational research, opportunities to join active research projects across specialties, and practicum placements within a large academic health system. The programme’s interdisciplinary environment and links to hospital-based research centres provide practical experience and networking that support career development in clinical sciences and related fields.