Translational Medical Research (MScTMR)
| Degree: | Master of Science |
| Application: | mandatory |
| Course start: | winter semester only (1 September) |
| Course duration: | 1 year full-time (60 ECTS) |
| Study options: | full-time |
| Target Group: | Graduates in medicine/health sciences/life sciences with a 1st degree equivalent to 240 ECTS |
| Areas of study: | Molecular Biology; Clinical Research |
| Language requirements: | English |
| Language of instruction: | English |
Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim
Course outline
Translational medical research is a two-way process. On one hand it concerns the conversion of basic research findings into new approaches for the diagnosis and therapy of disease, be that in the clinic or through commercial development. On the other hand it involves the conversion of clinical observations into basic research questions that can be addressed through experimentation.
The Master of Science in Translational Medical Research (MSc TMR) programme systematically provides students having a medical or bioscience background with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the frontier of translational medical research.
Aims
Translational medical research aims to transfer knowledge, mechanisms and techniques of basic molecular and cellular research into new approaches for the diagnosis and therapy of disease, and also to translate clinical observations into experimental research. Accordingly, the TMR Masters programme aims to educate students in the interdisciplinary field of translational medical research by training them how to bridge the interfaces between fundamental laboratory-based experimentation, clinical research and commercial exploitation.
Career perspectives
The importance of translational medical research has been recognized globally by numerous international research organizations, and has also been repeatedly emphasized by national organisations such as the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft = German Research Foundation) and by the European Union.
MScTMR graduates will therefore have attractive academic career prospects, for example at/in
- basic molecular and medical research centres
- interdisciplinary translational Comprehensive Cancer Centres
- clinical study centres and teaching hospitals
- biotech and pharmaceutical industries
Course structure
The Master course „Translational Medical Research” is divided into 4 modules which follow the concept “from bench to bedside and back” during Semester 1:
Module 1 concerns the basis of medical disorders and disease processes at the molecular and cellular level. In Module 2 students acquire knowledge about current methods and challenges in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of disease, including the research approaches employed in these areas. Module 3 comprises an individual laboratory project. Module 4 focuses specifically on translational medicine, including commercial exploitation. In Modules 1, 2 and 4 students can choose practical courses in which they become acquainted with experimentation in the fields of molecular oncology, neurobiology, vascular medicine or other topics.
In Semester 2, TMR students carry out original research for their Masters thesis project, write their Masters thesis, and present their findings orally. Students taking part in the TMR course as part of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme “International Master in Innovative Medicine” (IMIM) will summarize their research work performed during Semester 2 in the form of a written report or paper, which will also be presented orally similar to the TMR master thesis work.
For more details please see the current version of the student Module Handbook.
The setting: Focus on Research/Teaching
Based at the Mannheim Medical Campus, the Medical Faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg provides medical training at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Centre for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM) and other departments, institutes and clinics of the University Hospital (UMM) are strongly committed to the education of tomorrow’s physicians and researchers through an extensive programme that encompasses both teaching and research activities. In addition to pre-clinical and clinical medical training, M.Sc.-level courses specializing in health-related fields, including the MScTMR, are offered. These programmes aim to attract graduate students from a variety of relevant subjects, with a view to forming interdisciplinary teams and fostering mutual learning.
Cooperation partners
The international connectivity of the M.Sc. programme in Translational Medical Research links it with leading institutions in research, education and industry, a fact that contributes greatly to the development of a diverse, globally engaged medical research community. Cooperating institutions in the Rhine-Neckar area include the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), Mannheim, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg. International cooperation partners include Uppsala Universitet (Sweden), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (the Netherlands), several Latin American Universities and Anhui Medical University, China. In addition to carrying out their Masters theses in Mannheim, TMR students have also performed their thesis research at universities in Switzerland, the UK and the USA, as well as in other institutes and universities in Germany.
Accreditation
The M.Sc. programme in Translational Medical research has secured accreditation through September 30, 2023.
Formal requirements
Admission to the Master’s course is restricted. Please consult the Admissions Regulations for detailed information.
Admission prerequisites
- A bachelor degree at least equivalent to a European undergraduate degree of 240 ECTS (usually at least four years) with above-average grades. The degree needs to be in medicine or the life sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology or closely related fields). Bioscientific and/or medical content must make up at least 60% of the curriculum studied.
- Proven record of academic and extra-curricular excellence.
- Documented research experience.
- Strong motivation to pursue a career that incorporates translational, biomedical sciences and research.
- Proven English proficiency in accordance with TMR admission requirements.
Necessary application documents
All documents need to be sent via postal mail (no electronic applications possible!) and need to arrive (!) by the application deadline.
- A completely filled out application form.
- A certified[1] copy of the degree upon which your application is based (your bachelor or master degree), or an official letter stating expected date of graduation
- A certified copy of your transcript of records (including: courses, grades, grading system[2], average grade, and a list of modules still to be completed if not yet graduated)
- Proof of practical experience in basic bioscientific laboratory methods of at least 1 ECTS credit (app. 30h), if this is not clear from your transcript of records. (Please note: if all other requirements are fulfilled, missing laboratory experience may be covered by a one-week course at the Medical Faculty Mannheim prior to the start of the programme.)
If the above mentioned documents are not in English or German, a certified translation needs to be provided
- One of the following tests to prove your English proficiency:
- IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 – no less than 6.0 in each section
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) with an overall score of 92 – no less than 21 in each section
- TOEFL CBT (computer-based test) with an overall score of 237 – no less than 21 in each section
- TOEFL PBT (paper-based test) with an overall score of 580 – no less than 55 in each section
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) / Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)
Please keep in mind
-The test scores cannot be more than two years old (except for the CAE/CPE certificates).
-The modality required is 'academic'.
-You may apply for the TMR degree programme, even though you have not yet taken an English language test, or while your test score is still insufficient. In this case, you may be conditionally admitted, with (one of) the condition(s) for final admission being that you take and pass a (new) test. Please inform the admissions office of the date on which you are planning to take such a test.
-We do not accept institutional TOEFL tests.
Submission of test results
-IELTS: A copy of the score report can be sent with your application. We will verify the score online.
-TOEFL: Please send a copy of your score report with your application and submit a request with ETS to allow us to access your test results in the ETS online database (institution code 6446).
-Cambridge Certificate: Initially, a copy of the score report can be sent. If you are admitted to the course, we will require a certified copy of the certificate.
Exemptions
In principle, all applicants must include proof of proficiency in English with their application. Only applicants that meet either of the following requirements are exempt from proving proficiency in English:
- Applicants who are native English speakers, and who have completed secondary education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia·
- Applicants who have completed their bachelor education in any one of the following countries: Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia
- Your Curriculum Vitae in English
- A motivation letter in English describing why the applicant wishes to study the MSc programme Translational Medical Research, how the MSc will impact on the applicant’s desired career path, and what experience and qualifications the applicant brings to the programme.
- Two academic references from former supervisors or employers, preferably university professors or similar should be included in sealed envelopes to you application. Seperately sent references will only be accepted in exceptional cases and before the application deadline.
Applications
Please note: only complete applications including all required documents will be processed. Application deadline: 15 March 2019 for the course starting in September 2019. All applications need to be sent in paper form and must arrive on or before 15 March 2019. Please take into account the time required for shipping.
Examination regulations / Study regulations
Fees
Tuition fees at Heidelberg University are payable at the beginning of each semester.
Tuition fees for international students.
[1] Documents can usually be certified by your university, a notary or the German embassy and have to have an official stamp and original signature
[2] Grading system can also be explained in an additional document if not included in the transcript
Contact
Programme Director
Prof. Dr. Jonathan P. Sleeman
European Center for Angioscience
Sektion MBIO, Tridomus C
Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 13-17
D – 68167 Mannheim
Academic Advisor
Dr. Susanne Hausselt
European Center for Angioscience
Sektion MBIO, Tridomus C
Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 13-17
D – 68167 Mannheim
e-mail: susanne.hausselt@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Administration Office
Anja Käppele
European Center for Angioscience
Sektion MBIO, Tridomus C
Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 13-17
D – 68167 Mannheim
e-mail: anja.kaeppele@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
phone: +49(0) 621 3839954
fax: +49(0) 621 3839961
e-mail: msctmr@medma.uni-heidelberg.de