interdisciplinary - practice-oriented - excellent career prospects
M.Sc. Medical Biometry/Biostatistics
The Study Programme
Biostatistics as a science of modelling and analysis of quantifiable biomedical processes and phenomena opens up a wide range of applications from prevention, treatment of environmental risks, consumer protection, health care, research and development, regulatory review and approval to health care reform. National and European laws and directives are creating a growing need. In order to meet this demand, the University of Bremen has established the international Master's programme "Medical Biometry/Biostatistics". The aim of the course is to enable students to independently carry out scientific work in medical biometry, as for example the statistical planning and evaluation of empirical studies and the mathematical modelling of correlations in biology and medicine.
The program is offered each two years in English and deepens the basic knowledge of mathematics and statistics from the previous bachelor's program. It extends the knowledge and skills of the students especially in the field of medical research. It places emphasis on interdisciplinarity and practical relevance. A broad spectrum of knowledge for the professional profile of biostatisticians is acquired. Not only practical skills for planning and evaluating empirical studies are taught, but also methodological and medical basics as well as legal and ethical aspects. An internship is integrated, e.g. in institutes, companies, authorities or clinics, in which the students experience work situations and work requirements in a relevant professional field. Students are familiarised with the current state of research in methodology and application through these offers. Care is taken to ensure that students can exchange information, ideas and problems at a high scientific level in interdisciplinary teams and take responsibility for solutions.
In the courses on ethics and legal regulations, students deal in detail with the ethical aspects relevant to clinical studies. In addition, general aspects and backgrounds of ethical and legal content are discussed. This enables students to reflect on their tasks and to maintain or demand high ethical standards. In addition, personality development is promoted and a sensitisation to the civil society responsibility of one's own actions is achieved.
Fields of activity
Excellent career opportunities are opened up for graduates by the objective of the initiative (training of biostatisticians, in particular for clinical research) in a national and international environment in the following areas
Health authorities, regulatory agencies, etc.
University research institutions
Pharmaceutical industry
Medical technology industry
- CROs (companies that specialize in conducting clinical trials as service providers)
Pharmaceutical research is a classic field of application, but biotechnology and medical technology are becoming increasingly important. The Master of Science degree opens up an interesting occupational field with a high international demand for appropriately trained specialists, but also the opportunity for subsequent doctoral studies. Therefore, the Master's programme gives holders of a foreign Bachelor's degree the opportunity to qualify for a doctorate at a German university. The Master of Science also makes it easier for German students to gain a doctorate at foreign institutes and universities.
Participating institutions
The training is carried out in Faculty 3 (Mathematics and Computer Science) of the University of Bremen in a cooperation between the Competence Center for Clinical Studies Bremen (KKSB) and the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS GmbH with the participation of the Cooperation Center Medicine of the University of Bremen (KOM). The KKSB is a cooperation institution between the University of Bremen and the Klinikum Bremen-Mitte. It consists of two departments: the Biometry Department, which is part of Department 3 of the University of Bremen, and the Pharmacology Department of the Bremen-Mitte Clinic. The BIPS covers the entire cycle of epidemiological research. The methodologically oriented professorial positions of the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS belong to Department 3 of the University of Bremen. The KOM was founded in 2004 and offers a framework for joint research activities between physicians of the Bremen clinics and scientists of the university. The center develops interdisciplinary teaching concepts for university education at all levels as well as for further education and training. It currently has about 100 members, about half each from the Bremen clinics and the university.