Medical Biometry Master's…

Organiser

The Master's Programme "Medical Biometry/Biostatistics" is assigned to the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg. The programme is designed, realized and supported by the Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics (IMBI) (Contact).

 

The Importance of Medical Biometry

A successful planning and realisation of medical projects is only possible if the responsible biometrician disposes over a broad knowledge of methodical, medical and interdisciplinary skills. Thereby, the ability to integrate medical and statistical research areas is of great importance.

 

Worldwide, there exists a high demand on scientifically educated biometricians that cannot be covered. This holds true particularly for Germany, as German universities do not  provide a respective fundamental education. Many other countries from the European Union are strugglicng with the same problem. However, most of them have already established educational programmes to overcome this problem.

 

Currently, the University of Heidelberg is implementing the Bologna Process in order to obtain an international educational system. In this context, the Postgradual Education in Medical Biometry, which had been the only educational programme in Medical Biometry at a German university so far, was reconstructed to realize an extra-occupational Master’s Programme. With its new structure and modular design,  the curriculum meets international standards. The corresponding study degree “Master of Science for Medical Biometry/Biostatistics” is accepted all over Europe. Therefore, the new Master’s Programme can successfully compete with other universities on the European market.

 

The Master’s Programme covers the theoretical part of the GMDS-certificate "Biometry in Medicine" (German Society of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology), which is accepted by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfARM) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as proof of a biostatistical qualification for biometrical support in the admission of Phase I-III studies.

 

Courses

  • Statistical Basic Course

A preparation course in statistics is provided prior to the regular programme courses. This course – or another similar course covering the same contents – is obligatory for applicants without documented proof of a basic statistical knowledge. Note that the contents of this course is not covered by the common courses in biometry, biostatistics and biomathematics which are provided for medical students.     

 

  •  Module Biometry

Courses: Biometry I / Biometry II / Design of Experiments

 

This module teaches various biometrical methods and consists of three courses. Methodical basics and biometrical models are taught in the courses "Biometry I" and  "Biometry II". These courses show the relation between statistical topics and medical problems. The planning of a clinical trial is the central topic covered by the course "Design of Experiments". This course deals with the calculation of the necessary sample size for different study designs.
 

  • Module Statistical Methods

Courses: Linear Models / Generalized Linear Models / Survival Analysis / Nonparametric Methods

This module expands the topics taught in the courses "Biometry I" and "Biometry II". Different models and approaches to solve medical problems are presented. Main topics are linear models and survival analysis.


  • Module Clinical Studies

Courses: Ethical, regulatory and legal standards and requirements / Clinical Studies I / Clinical Studies II / Diagnostic Studies

This module combines methodical knowledge with practical applications in various study situations. The course "Ethical, regulatory and legal standards and requirements" shall serve as a guideline for the students’ actions with respect to legal and ethical aspects.


  • Module Data Management

    Courses: Data Management I / Data Management II

    This module is designed to teach practical skills in data handling with respect to medical research projects. Topics will be data structuring, data bases, quality of data and data safety. Beside theoretical skills in data management procedures, the course is also designed to teach a programming language (mainly SAS ® und R) for data handling and analysis.

  • Module Epidemiology

Courses: Methodical Principles of Epidemiology

Methods for the identification and the assessment of risk factors for the emergence of diseases shall be highlighted in this module. This module can thus be interpreted as a counterpart to the module “Clinical Studies”, which deals with the assessment of therapy benefits for diseases which are already manifested.


  • Module Medicine

    Courses: Medical Principles / Areas of Medicine I / Areas of Medicine II / Methods of Clinical Pharmacology

This module provides the necessary medical background for all other modules. Beside the course "Medical Principles", two other courses are offered covering pathological aspects and other topics of relevant medical areas. The course "Methods of Clinical Pharmacology" provides insight to another interdisciplinary field which requires special biometrical methods.

 

  • Module Specialisations  
                                                                                            Courses: Multiplicity (Statistical Methods) / Nonparametric Methods (Statistical Methods) / Pre-clinical Studies (Clinical Studies) / Diagnostic Studies (Clinical Studies) / Molecular Medicine (Medicine) / Evidence Based Medicine (Medicine) / Special Biometrical Topics (Biometry) 

All courses belonging to this module are elective and are taught in a fixed chronological order. They provide different specialisations to the above presented modules. Beside these courses (which always will be provided), a number of changing elective courses is offered in the fourth semester. The attendance to a certain number of elective courses is obligatory.

 

 

Single Courses

This information is not relevant for students of the Master’s Programme!

 

Single courses offered within the Master’s Programme may be attended by anyone interested. The respective fees are listed below:

 

Courses lasting 2,75 days:€ 645,-Reduced Fee:€ 430,-
Courses lasting 3,5 days:€ 820,-Reduced Fee:€ 545,-
Courses lasting 5,5 days:€ 1290,-Reduced Fee:€ 860,-
Courses lasting 6 days (Example: the complete
course of Biometry I):
€ 1410,-Reduced Fee:€ 940,-
Basic Course Statistics (2 x 4 days):€ 1410,-Reduced Fee:€ 940,-
Biometry I (Days 3 – 6): € 940,-Reduced Fee:€ 625,-

 

If you want to apply, please fill in the application form (in German) (<link file:16151 _blank download file>Anmeldeformular). Note that the number of places available is limited. Participants are demanded to bring a pocket calculator. Certificates of attendance will be provided.

 

Note: The first two days of the course "Biometry I" will provide basic knowledge on statistical testing. People who are familiar with these basics may attend the course from the third day on.

 

Cancellation: If the application is cancelled 14 to 8 days before the course begins, an amount of 25% of the attendance fee is charged. Later cancellations will be fully charged. It is possible to nominate an alternative participant, however.

 

 


Contact / Imprint

 

Are you interested? Please feel free to contact us!

 

Dr. Marietta Kirchner
Phone: 06221-567784
Fax: 06221-564195
master(at)imbi.uni-heidelberg.de


Andrea Wendel
Phone: 06221-564141
Fax: 06221-564195
wendel(at)imbi.uni-heidelberg.de

 


This webpage provides a general overview of the Master’s Programme "Medical Biometry/Biostatistics" in English. More detailed information in German can be found <link>here.

 

Please note that most courses which are offered within the Master’s Degree Program are taught in German. Students should thus have a good knowledge of the German language in both oral and writing skills.

 

For those who are interested only in special topics (and not in the whole Master's programme), it is possible to attend selected single courses (Master's ProgrammeSingle Courses). Some of these courses are taught in English, some are taught in German.