Handbooks

Doctor of Philosophy in
Nursing Science Handbook

Course Overviews

NUSC 505 Philosophy of Science for Health Research (3 sh)

This course explores the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of science. This exploration guides the student in understanding the strengths and limitations of the Western scientific enterprise. Course content includes the following topics: science vs. pseudoscience, explanation, prediction, underdetermination , realism, and objectivity. Empirical traditions are emphasized; however, phenomenology and associated schools are also discussed. Readings are drawn from the modern and postmodern periods. Prerequisite: Graduate-level research course or consent of the instructor.

 

NUSC 506 Theory and Theory Development for Nursing Research (3 sh)

Historical and contemporary social, educational, scientific, and professional influences on the development of theoretical knowledge in nursing are analyzed. Various methods of theory development are reviewed; selected biological, behavioral, and health service theories that form the basis of nursing science are critically evaluated. Skills needed for theory analysis and theory development are emphasized. Selected UIC nurse scientists discuss the theoretical aspects of their programs of research.
Prerequisite : NUSC 505 Philosophy of Science for Health Research.

 

NUSC 511 Advanced Research Design (4 sh)

This course includes in-depth analysis of research design, including such areas as design appropriateness and validity, sampling, research ethics, and interpretation. Content is applicable to nursing and related fields of study. Prerequisites : Credit or concurrent registration in NUSC 505; Graduate statistics or consent of the instructor.

 

NUSC 515 Measurement in Health Research (4 sh)

This course addresses quantitative and qualitative measurement theories and includes the assessment of reliability, validity, and data quality. Critical analysis of measurement issues across the continuum of measures in health research is included. Prerequisite: Credit or concurrent registration in NUSC 506 and NUSC 511 or consent of the instructor and credit or concurrent registration in the second course in graduate level statistics series.

 

NUSC 517 Advanced Research Practicum (3-6 sh) (3 sh required, and may be repeated for a maximum of 6 sh of credit)

This course is a guided experience in research methods. The experience will be orchestrated by the student's research advisor and will provide “hands-on” research experience to help the student prepare for their dissertation study. This course will be the third required methods course. The research advisor will plan the timing and type of experiences for each student, so that the experience will best meet the student's needs. Attending classroom sessions, completing readings or writing papers will not fulfill this requirement. The experience is completed before students perform their dissertation studies. The experiences will focus on the area of dissertation research, and so prepare students for dissertation study. Students will sign up for a variable number of hours, depending on the number of hours that appropriately reflect the work entailed in the experience. The number of total hours fulfilling this requirement is variable and can range from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6. These hours can be completed in more than one semester, however, so students will be allowed to sign up for less than 3 hours in a single semester. ( See College Web site for the Advanced Research Practicum form to be completed and submitted to the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies at the beginning of the semester.) Prerequisite: NUSC 515 and two advanced statistics courses.

 

NUSC 585 Advanced Research Seminar (repeatable for credit) (minimum required is 2 sh; a maximum of 4 sh may be applied toward graduation requirements) (S/U grade)

Students are required to register for research seminars after they have successfully completed their preliminary examination every fall and spring semester until they defend their dissertation research (S/U grade). The seminars are usually one credit hour per semester. The seminars facilitate the integration of theory and methodology. Research seminars bring students and faculty together and also facilitate the process of socialization. It is important for students to observe experts present their research and to interact with those experts to ask questions to gain a fuller understanding. The word “experts” refers to outside experts invited to the seminars, as well as the faculty member teaching the seminars. Discussions may focus on a combination of journal articles and original work. In addition, students should have opportunities to discuss/present their research and learn how to do this effectively. Students are allowed to choose their research seminar from a menu of research seminars. If a student is taking a class or has a special circumstance, they may request a waiver of the Advanced Research Seminar for a particular semester. The waiver must be approved by the Associate Dean for Nursing Science. However, the student must meet the graduation requirement of 2sh. Prerequisite: Candidacy and consent of the instructor.

 

NUSC 590 Leadership in Scientific Careers (1 sh) (S/U grade)

This seminar is taken as closely as possible to the dissertation defense. The purpose of this seminar is to integrate concepts of science, policy, and leadership. The purpose is for students to expand the implications of their research on science, policy, and leadership issues. Prerequisite: NUSC 517.

 

NUSC 592 Preliminary Examination Preparation (1 to 12 sh). May be repeated for a maximum of 24 hours of credit (S/U grade).

Literature review, reading and writing in preparation for the preliminary examination supervised by faculty research advisor. 592 hours do not count toward fulfilling degree requirements; they are intended for students who for various reasons, e.g., visa restrictions or fellowship requirements, must maintain fulltime status. This is not a program requirement and 592 hours need NOT be taken . Prerequisite: Completion of advanced coursework and consent of advisor.

NUSC 596 Independent Study: Graduate (1-4 sh) (S/U grade).

May be repeated for credit. S/U grade only. In this course, students investigate selected problems in nursing under the direction of a Graduate Faculty member. Modes of investigation are determined by the nature of the nursing problem selected. Only three (3) credit hours of NUSC 596 can be used toward advanced coursework and the work of the independent study must be content-based. ( See College Web site for the Independent Study form to be completed and submitted to the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies at the beginning of the semester.) Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

NUSC 599 PhD Thesis Research (1-12 sh) (S/U grade)

The minimum required number of dissertation hours is 24. The Graduate College requires that there must be a minimum of 12 months between the preliminary examination and the dissertation defense. Students able to complete their dissertation in one year would need to take two semesters of NUSC 599 PhD Thesis Research, for 12 semester hours each. There is no maximum number of hours for dissertation credit. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

 

Advanced Courses Inside and outside the CON: T he College of Nursing requires at least 14 sh (32 sh for PhD students who entered post baccalaureate) in 400- or 500-level didactic courses. To be consistent with the Graduate College requirement that 400- an d 500-level courses are considered advanced courses, the College of Nursing will allow 400-level courses to count as advanced courses. Advanced coursework is intended to provide students with substantive knowledge in an area of specialization. Program plans will be reviewed and approved by the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies to assure that the focus remains on advanced nursing science. Only three credit hours of independent study can be used toward advanced coursework, and the work of the independent study must be content-based . Hours for NUSC 585 Research Seminar and NUSC 592, Preliminary Exam Preparation do not count towards advanced coursework.

Teaching Requirement: To be consistent with the Graduate College teaching requirement, the CON requires doctoral students to provide documentation of teaching experience at the baccalaureate level or above. This could be fulfilled through being on the faculty of another institution or in a variety of other ways (See the College Web site for the Teaching Requirement Documentation form that must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Nursing Science Studies). Examples of activities which satisfy this requirement; prior faculty appointment of at least 50% for one year teaching at the baccalaureate level or higher, satisfactory completion of at least one of the teaching courses offered by the College or working as a teaching assistant with involvement in test construction, lectures, and preparation of course materials or tutoring.