Medical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (Ph.D. Program) - University of Munich (LMU)
Applicant criteria
- No specific age required
- Both
Opportunity criteria
The Pettenkofer School of Public Health and the Munich Medical Research School are offering the Ph.D. program - Medical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (Ph.D.-EPH).
This international and interdisciplinary structured Ph.D. program offers talented students research and training opportunities in the following fields:
- Genetic,
- Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology,
- Clinical Trials and Translational Medicine,
- Genomic and Molecular Medicine,
- Preventive Geriatrics,
- Clinical and Evidence-based Prevention,
- Health Services Research,
- Health Economics and Evidence-based Public Health.
Each of the Ph.D. program fellows, in close collaboration with his or her direct supervisor and other members of the Thesis Advisory Committee, define the specific research aims and curriculum content that he or she will follow during the (minimum) three years of study. This individual tailor-made training and supervision concept ensures that the needs of each Ph.D. candidate are met on their way to obtaining their degree.
Admission Requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent in public health, epidemiology, medicine, pharmacy, natural sciences, psychology, social sciences, statistics, economics, sport sciences, law, communication science, or other relevant fields (to be obtained not later than 5 months after the application deadline).
- Very good academic record.
- Proficiency in English (written and oral).
- Good mathematical and statistical skills.
Course Structure
During the Ph.D., each student must acquire 180 ECTS.
Curricular activities cover 30 ECTS and are divided into three modules:
- 17 ECTS - Method Courses - improving knowledge and methodological skills related directly to the Ph.D. project;
- 8 ECTS - Conferences & Retreats;
- 5 ECTS - Transferable Skills;
The remaining credits are achieved within the scope of research work which includes writing the Ph.D. thesis in English (140 ECTS) and the oral thesis defense (10 ECTS).
Courses Overview
MMRS Good Scientific Practice (Mandatory)
Participation in the MMRS lecture series "Good Scientific Practice" is mandatory for all Ph.D. in Medical Research in EPH students.
This course is offered as an online course every semester. Doctoral candidates of the Ph.D. in Medical Research receive 0.5 ECTS for their successful participation.
Ph.D. Journal Club (mandatory)
Once a month all Ph.D. students of the program meet to discuss scientific publications related to various aspects of epidemiology and public health.
Quantitative Methods
The aim of the course is to provide the students with sound knowledge of statistics. The course consists of various elements to ensure that despite potential differences in the educational background all the students can learn something new.
Advanced Methods in Epidemiology
The course on Advanced Methods in Epidemiology aims to provide the participants with the knowledge on planning, funding, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of results in the epidemiological studies. In addition to learning theory, students can test their acquired skills in practical exercises.
Courses in Applied Epidemiology
The Applied Epidemiology Module builds upon the knowledge acquired in the course of Epidemiology and Research Design. In the autonomous units, the participants have an opportunity to get more detailed insight into the practice of epidemiological research in the area of Infectious Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancer, Mental Health, and Pharmacoepidemiology.
Seminar in Advanced Epidemiology
During the seminars on Advanced Epidemiology, students get familiar with the theory and literature-based practice of different advanced study designs, including also ecological study designs and their various applications. Important aspects in the discussion of each study type are sources of biases and potentials to control bias and confounding.
Clinical Epidemiology I – Part 1: Medical Informatics and Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research
The course is divided into two thematic units – medical informatics and regulatory issues in clinical trials. The Medical Informatics part provides an overview of basic information processing, the internet, database, and medical information systems. It covers also topics related to legal foundations of confidentiality and patient privacy as well as security of information.
Clinical Epidemiology I – Part 2: Advanced Methods in Clinical Epidemiology: Design, Evidence Synthesis, Safety and Quality
This course is divided into 15 thematic areas covering topics related to complex study designs, advanced aspects of prognosis and diagnosis studies, as well as studies in health economics, development of treatment guidelines, pharmaceutical safety, quality assurance, and work strategies of organizations investigating benefits and harms of medical interventions (IQWiG and NICE).
Clinical Epidemiology II: Defining and Measuring Endpoints for Clinical Studies and Advanced Statistical methods
The Clinical Epidemiology II module consists of two thematic units:
- Defining and Measuring Endpoints for Clinical Studies, and
- Advanced Statistical Methods.
Recent Developments in Biostatistics
This course provides an insight into the state of the art methods in the research relevant to at least one of the following fields - Epidemiology, Clinical Epidemiology, Genetic Epidemiology, or Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology. During the course, the students learn the rationale for developing new methods and understand the advantage of applying the new methodology.
From Concept to Analysis
The course prepares students for the specializations of the Master of Science of Epidemiology and is compulsory for all students in their 1st semester. The aim of the course is to enable the participants to independently design, implement, interpret and communicate regression analyses. These competencies are often required in internships and research projects for the master theses.
Epidemiology and Research Design
This course is designed to provide students with essential concepts and skills in epidemiology. Students will have the chance to familiarize themselves with different study designs (e.g. cohort study, case-control study), gain insights into statistical methods employed in epidemiological settings, enhance their abilities to connect health data with underlying phenomena, and develop grounded conclusions. On the completion of this course, the students will feel comfortable with subsequent advanced courses and be better prepared for their real-world projects.
Specialization Biometry
Modules Biometry I and II
The course has to be taken as a whole "specialization part I and part II". The Module Biometry is divided into Biometry I “Advanced Biometry” and Biometry II “Seminar Biometry”.
Advanced Biometry
- Statistics for clinical trials (3 ECTS)
- Statistics for diagnostic studies (3 ECTS)
- Longitudinal data analysis (3 ECTS)
- Statistics learning, especially for high-dimensional data (3 ECTS)
- Survival analysis (3 ECTS)
Seminar Biometry
Students take part in a joint seminar for statistics and epidemiology students taking. They have to:
- summarize one or several papers presenting and applying complex statistical methods in an oral presentation (25 minutes), and
- write a short homework summarizing other participants’ presentations.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
The Ph.D. program is free of charge with the exception of the LMU enrolment fee (approx. $147 per semester). The estimated costs of living in Munich are approx. $1,411- $2,115 per month.
Please note that LMU does not provide any scholarships for this program.