10 Reasons To Study Epidemiology - Lmu

10 REASONSTO CHENPSPHPETTENKOFER SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

WHAT ISEPIDEMIOLOGY ?Epidemiology examines which factors protect,maintain or improve the health of individualsand populations, and which factors are harmful and cause disease.As socioeconomic and environmentalconditions are evolving worldwide, newhealth risks are gaining relevance in different populations.It is therefore particularly important to recognise emerging health or disease trends aswell as the factors driving those.Epidemiological knowledge enables a betterunderstanding of the dynamics of diseasesand ill-health conditions and provides a solidscientific basis for health measures.

YOUR CAREERAS EPIDEMIOLOGISTA master's degree in epidemiology opensup career opportunities in many differentareas. Our students acquire solid theoretical and practical skills that qualify themfor a career in science, but also in industry.After graduating, some of our alumni decideto pursue a PhD diploma or continue working in research.Other graduates work in the pharmaceutical sector, in consulting, at health insurancecompanies, clinical research organisationsand in governmental and non-governmental organizations.

10 REASONSTO STUDYEPIDEMIOLOGYWITH US1One of the fewmaster s programmesin epidemiology inGermanyIndeed, it is one of the fewprogrammes here and, above all, one that is stronglymethod-oriented. This makes the course quite unique.You can learn advancedand innovative epidemiological and statistical methods,quantitative and qualitativemethods, how to deal withcomplex issues – and more.

234Expertise in clinical,genetic, environmental, occupationalepidemiologyStudy at a Universityof ExcellenceLecturers withprofound expertiseLMU Munich stands forinnovative research andoutstanding teaching. It isone of the few universitiesin Germany to be regularlyawarded the title of "University of Excellence".We cooperate closely withnumerous relevant local,national and internationalorganizations, which alsobenefits our students. Lectures are held by expertsfrom different fields withextensive experience inscience and practice.The courses, internshipsand additional events enable students to experience awide range of research andwork opportunities in various fields.

567International andinterdisciplinaryclassmatesGain hands-onexperienceLive in one of themost vibrantEuropean citiesOur programme is amongthe most diverse in theuniversity: approximately75 % of our students comefrom abroad. Each of themcontributes to the intercultural and interdisciplinaryexchange in classes and beyond.Through the two mandatoryinternships in our programme, students gain relevantpractical experience prior tograduating.In the heart of Europe, Munich is among the most vibrant, diverse and popularcities to live in. In international rankings it is regularlyconsidered to be one of themost liveable cities

8910A customizableprogrammeIntegrated mentoring programmeOpportunitiesfor networkingAside from the mandatorycore modules, our studentscan largely customize theirstudies according to theirinterests by selecting froma variety of specialisations,elective modules, internship opportunities and master s thesis topics.Student in our programmecan be assigned to a mentor, if wanted – a professional in their field of interest.Mentors and mentees canmeet throughout the whole course of the programmeand discuss relevant topicsaround studies and careeropportunities.The study programme, internships and events organised for students providenumerous opportunitiesfor everyone to connectwith professionals fromvarious fields of epidemiology research and practice.

OURPROGRAMMEThe programme offers students the chanceto learn how to analyse different problemsin health-related fields and how to plan, execute, and interpret studies.Over the course of two years, studentslearn about the relationships between diseases and the risk factors that lead to illhealth as well as how to recognise diseases trends, to apply health prevention andpromotion approaches, and to determinethe prognostic value and the influence oftherapeutics on patient quality of life. Students also study the relationship betweendiseases, an individual’s genetic predisposition, and influential environmental factors.In the second and third semester studentsgain practical experience through twomandatory internships.

The programme is structured in accordancewith the Bologna Process. A total of 120 ECTScredits must be acquired over four semesters.All lectures, courses and seminars are held inEnglish. In the electives, students also have theopportunity to choose courses in German.CORE MODULES (72 ECTS)ELECTIVES (12 ECTS) Quantitative Methods Epidemiology and Research Design Public Health Practice and Research Research Skills Internships Master Colloquium Master s Thesis Advanced Quantitative Methods Recent Developments in Biostatistics Applied Statistics in Epidemiology Qualitative Methods Health Communication Prevention and Health Promotion Social and Behavioural Sciences Global Public Health Public Mental Health Health Services Research and Health Economics Epidemiology of Diet and Lifestyle FactorsSPECIALISATIONS (36 ECTS) Clinical Epidemiology Epidemiology (Advanced Methods inEpidemiology, Applied Epidemiology) Genetic Epidemiology Environmental, Occupationaland Radiation Epidemiology Advanced Biometry4 SEMESTERS / 2 YEARS120 ECTS

Admissions requirementsHOWTO APPLY Completed university degree (bachelor’sdegree or equivalent) in a health-relateddiscipline such as: medicine, pharmacy,natural sciences, psychology, social sciences, statistics, sport science, economicsand business administration, law andcommunication scienceAdvanced competency in EnglishGood knowledge of mathematics andstatisticsFormal application including curriculumvitae and certificatesPassed written and oral entry exam (inEnglish)APPLICATION: MAY 15SEMESTER START: MID-OCTOBER

Written examOral examThe written exam lasts 90 minutes, in whichwe test the applicants’ knowledge of andabilities in the following topics: Basic knowledge of mathematics andstatistics Critical interpretation of scientific literature and information in the media Principles of scientific work Important basic concepts in epidemiology and Public Health Current issues relevant to epidemiologyThe oral exam is conducted in the form of a30-minute admission interview. The followingtopics will be discussed to assess the abilitiesof the applicant: Knowledge in mathematics and statistics Motivation for the master’s programme Realistic perception of career prospects Ability to outline how the master’s programme will complement the knowledgeand skills obtained in previous studies Problem solving and decision making abilities Ability to critically evaluate scientific findings Communicative competencesBOTH THE WRITTEN AND THE ORAL PART OFTHE EXAM CAN BE DONE ONLINE

FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS1What is theteaching languageof the programme?All courses and lectures ofthe core modules and thecorresponding exams areheld in English. Thus goodEnglish language skills area prerequisite. Please notethat certificates have to besubmitted with the application. Find more informationhere:bit.ly/LMU-admission-info

234Are German language skills required?Does LMU offerlanguage courses?Knowledge of the Germanlanguage is not requiredbut strongly recommended, as you can choosemore courses – and it makes living in Germany muchmore enjoyable.LMU offers German coursesfor various levels of proficiency. Find more informationhere:Is work experiencerequired beforeapplying for theprogramme?bit.ly/LMU-language-coursesWork experience is an asset,but not a requirement foradmission to the programme.

567How much is thetuition fee persemester?What is the deadlinefor applications?Can I apply online?LMU Munich charges a semester fee of approximatively 130 EUR per semester. Find more informationon the fee here:bit.ly/LMU-feeThe deadline for applications is May 15. The writtenexam takes place in May/June. All candidates whosuccessfully pass the written exam are invited for anoral exam, which takes place in June/July. Informationon the application procedure and the current deadlines can be found on ourwebsite.No, you cannot apply online. All documents need tobe provided as hard copies.All information about theapplication documents canbe found on our website:www.psph-munich.de

8910How many studentsare being admittedto the programmeevery year?Can I enroll as a parttime student?How is the weeklyschedule set up?No, our study programmeis a full time programmeonlyYour timetable dependsmainly on your choice ofelectives.Approximately 30-40 students start every year.

111213Can I finish thestudy in one yearby taking extracourses?What type of Visashould I apply for?Can I work whilebeing enrolled in theprogramme if I amstaying in Germanyon a student visa?No, this is a 2-year programme, which cannot becompleted in one year.Students from most countries outside the EU willrequire a student visa. Westrongly advise you to contactthe German embassy and/orconsulate in your countryof residence to ensure thatyou apply for the correcttype of visa specific to yoursituation. Please make sureto check well in advancewhat the exact entry permit regulations applicableto your nationality are.Work permit regulationsmay vary depending onyour nationality and/or visastatus. For further information on how to access theGerman labour market foryou, please contact eitherthe German embassy orthe consulate responsiblefor issuing your visa.

1415How can I find astudent job?How can I findaccommodation?You can find a list of studentassistant jobs here:Findingaccommodationin Munich can be difficult,especially in September,October and November,when most new studentsarrive in the city. Therefore,it is advisable to start looking for accommodation assoon as possible. Most students live in private roomsor apartments. Rooms instudents’ halls of residenceusually have long waitinglists.bit.ly/LMU-student-jobsFurther job opportunitiesas well as opportunities forfurther qualifications can befound on the website of theLMU Career Service:bit.ly/LMU-career-serviceMost of these rooms aremanaged by “Studentenwerk München”. For furtherinformation and advice forstudents looking for accommodation in Munich, pleaseconsult:www.studentenwerkmuenchen.de/en/

OUR UNIVERSITY:LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITÄTLMU MUNICHOUR INSTITUTE:INSTITUTE FOR MEDICALINFORMATION PROCESSING,BIOMETRY AND EPIDEMIOLOGYIBEOUR SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH:PETTENKOFER SCHOOLOF PUBLIC HEALTHPSPHFounded in 1472, the LMU Munich is amajor German public university. It has along-standing record of excellence, whichculminated in its recognition by the German government’s highly prestigious Excellence Initiative. As one of the largestGerman universities, the LMU Munich ismarked by a vibrant and diverse academic life and research culture.The University has been actively promoting interdisciplinary research in thehealth sciences, in particular through theMunich Centre of Health Sciences andthe Pettenkofer School of Public Health.Both of these platforms for conductinghealth research and translating researchinto policy and practice were co-initiatedby the IBE.

The Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE)has broad-ranging methodological expertisein conducting observational studies and randomized controlled trials and in advancingand applying innovative epidemiological andstatistical techniques. Notably, researchers atthe IBE are involved with international effortsto adapt systematic review methodology tocomplex interventions.The IBE engages with a variety of national aswell as international partnerships, includingthe Cochrane Collaboration and the WorldHealth Organization (WHO). As part of thePettenkofer School of Public Health the IBEcooperates with the Bavarian Health andFood Safety Authority (LGL) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU).Professor Dr. Ulrich MansmannDirector of the IBE