Medical Biometry/Biostatistics
| Degree: | Master of Science |
| Application required: | Yes |
| Course start: | wintersemester |
| Course duration: | 4 semesters |
| Form of course: | part-time |
| Language requirements: | none |
| Other: | post-graduate |
| Language of instruction: | German |
| Special fees: | €3000 per semester |
Programme overview
In order to successful plan and conduct medical research projects, biometricians need not only methodological skills, but also broad medical and further reaching knowledge – plus the ability to bring these two scientific areas together. Worldwide there is a great need of academically trained biometricians, which cannot be covered in Germany at present for lack of appropriate basic training courses. Nor can other EU countries meet the demand in this field yet most of them do run degree courses (of which graduates are mostly called biostatisticians).
In Germany it was the logical consequence of the Bologna process to transform the unique post-graduate university course in Medical Biometry into a part-time Master’s programme. Through following European requirements regarding the structuring and modularisation of courses, and the systematic implementation of these rules in curriculum planning, the programme meets international standards. The part-time degree in Medical Biometry/Biostatistics is thus competitive on the European university market and leads to a university qualification recognised Europe-wide. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.).
Course structure
Medical Biometry/Biostatistics is a part-time Master’s with a total of 23 face-to-face lectures and seminars. The individual courses take place in blocks, from Thursday to Saturday. Attendance is compulsory. Each course is concluded with an examination.
The programme lasts four semesters, with seven to eight courses to attend in the first three semesters. The fourth semester is for writing the Master’s thesis and attending further alternating electives. 120 ECTS credits are awarded for the successful completion of the programme.
The part-time M.Sc. in Medical Biometry/Biostatistics started in the winter semester of 2006/2007 and is offered at two-year intervals. The exact procedures and deadlines for admission and application are found on the website of the Insitute for Medical Biometry and Informatics.
Flyer for M.Sc. In Medical Biometry/Biostatistics
Curriculum
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Biometry module
Courses: Biometry I / Biometry II / Experimental Planning
This module contains four courses on Biometry methods. Biometry I and Biometry II deal with the foundations of method theory and biometric models, linking the statistical knowledge required for the course with medical issues. The important aspect of study planning is deepened in the course on Experimental Planning. The course focuses on describing procedures when taking random samples, and deals with several study designs.
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Statistical Procedures module
Courses: General Linear Models / Generalised Linear Models / Survival Time Analysis
This module breaks down and further explores the topics referred to in Biometry I and Biometry II. The aim is to get to know the different models and possible solutions for medical questions. Besides handling linear models, it focuses on Survival Time Analysis.
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Studies module
Courses: Ethical, regulatory and statutory requirements / Clinical Studies I and Clinical Studies II
This module links methodology with the practical application in different study situations. It supplies students with the legal and ethical framework for their action.
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Data Management module
Course: Data Management I and Data Management II
This interdisciplinary module teaches skills in the practical handling of data in medical research projects, and information flows in research networks (data structures, databases, data quality, data protection). Besides theoretical data models and approaches to data management, students learn a programming language (mainly SAS ® and R) for handling, checking and evaluating study data.
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Epidemiology module
Courses: Methodological Foundations of Epidemiology
This subject explains the methods for detecting and rating risk factors relative to the emergence of diseases. This material is the counterpart to the Studies module, which concentrates on assessing the use of treatments in manifested diseases.
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Medicine module
Courses: Foundations of Medicine / Specialism of Medicine I and Specialism of Medicine II / Methods of Clinical Pharmacology
This module presupposes the medical background knowledge necessary for all other modules. Besides Foundations of Medicine, two further courses deal with the disease theory and research areas of two clinical specialisms. Clinical Pharmacology sheds light on a further interdisciplinary field of application with special biometric methods.
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Deepening module
Courses: Multiplicity (statistical procedures) / Non-parametric procedures (statististical procedures) / Preclinical Studies (Studies) / Diagnostic Studies (Studies) / Molecular Medicine (Medicine) / Evidence-based Medicine (Medicine) / Special Topics in Biometry (Biometry)
The classes in this module are electives (the relation to other modules is indicated in brackets). They are offered in every new course corresponding to the order in the semester schedule. The fourth semester features alternating electives of which the same number have to be taken as the discontinued electives. The credits awarded must fit and the overall number of necessary courses must be achieved (Electives). Regarding the individual courses: “Multiplicity” teaches procedures and possible solutions for multiple questions. Parametric procedures are based on distributive assumptions that are often not given or cannot be verified. “Non-parametric Procedures” presents statistical methods that are not linked to distributive assumptions. To supplement the lectures on clinical studies in the Studies module, the material is worked through and deepened from different angles (“Diagnostic Studies” and “Preclinical Studies”). “Molecular Medicine” takes account of the growing significance of genetic diagnosis and treatments and “Evidence-based Medicine” aims to evaluate data evidence for medical research results and use it accordingly. “Special Topics in Biometry” is reserved for current biometric issues.
Formalities
Admission
There is an entry restriction and an admission restriction. Please consult the admission regulations hier.
Closing date for applications
The course is offered every two years. The closing date for applications is mid-June.
Application procedure
Applications go directly to the Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics.
Current information on procedure
Further information
Website of the Medical Faculty Heidelberg
Examination regulations
Examinations board
The M.A. examinations board is responsible for credit transfer, recognition, and examination issues. Further details are available from the academic advisor.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the whole programme (4 semesters) total €12,000. They are to be paid in four parts of €3000 by two weeks before the beginning of the semester (final date). Addressee is the account of the Institute for Medical Biometry; a bank transfer slip will be sent out before the beginning of each semester.
Furthermore, a contribution must be paid to the student services organization and there is an administrative.
Further information is available on the website of the Institute for Medical Biometry and Informatics.
Academic advisor
Dr. Matthias Gondan
Im Neuenheimer Feld 305
1st floor, Room 104
Phone: +49-(0)6221-56-7784
Fax: +49-(0)6221-56-4195
gondan@imbi.uni-heidelberg.de
Contact
Heidelberg University
Department of Medical Biometry at the Institute of
Medical Biometry and Informatics
Im Neuenheimer Feld 305
D-69120 Heidelberg
Contact person
Dr. Matthias Gondan
Office hours: Friday 10-11 am and by arrangement
Im Neuenheimer Feld 305
1st floor, Room 104
Phone: +49-(0)6221-56-7784
Fax: +49-(0)6221-56-4195
E-Mail: master@imbi.uni-heidelberg.de
Internet: www.biometrie.uni-heidelberg.de/master
Map
Please note
Bremen University offers a full-time Master of Medical Biometry/Biostatistics.
Contact: Ms Breunig, Phone: +49 (0)421-21-89138; bessie@math.uni-bremen.de
