Medical Faculty Mannheim Translational Medical Research – Master
Translational Medical Research considers research conducted at the frontiers between the bench (lab-based experiments), the bedside (clinical research and patient management) and the healthcare system (broad implementation and health economics) with the aim of improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation play a key role in effective Translational Medical Research.
Facts & Formalities
| Degree | Master of Science, Double Degree |
| Type of programme | Consecutive |
| Start of programme | Winter semester only |
| Standard period of study | 2 semesters |
| Language(s) of instruction | English |
| Fees and contributions | 161.10 € / Semester |
| Application procedure | Consecutive master’s programmes with access restriction |
| Application deadlines | Information about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program. |
| Can be completed entirely in English | Yes |
| International degree program | Yes |
| Start of Courses | Courses start on September 1 |
Course Outline
The Master’s degree programme in Translational Medical Research (TMR) focusses on the transfer of knowledge derived from basic molecular and cellular research into new approaches for the diagnosis and therapy of disease, and on the translation of unmet clinical needs into basic research questions that can be addressed through experimentation. The importance of innovation and entrepreneurship for effective translation is also considered. Accordingly, the Master’s degree programme provides students in the interdisciplinary field of translational medical research with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in research at the frontiers between fundamental laboratory-based experimentation, clinical research and commercial exploitation.
Graduates of the Master’s degree programme in Translational Medical Research:
- have a thorough understanding of disease processes at the molecular and cellular levels, and possess up-to-date knowledge of the latest research in the fields of molecular and cellular biology relating to medical disorders
- have a good overview of clinical study design, drug development, and ethical issues and formalities relating to medical research, and of the cutting-edge methods and current problems in the diagnosis and therapy of medical disorders
- have an understanding of the players involved in the translational process, and how intellectual property can be protected and commercialised, for example in a start-up company
- are able to apply knowledge about the principles of translational research techniques to a broad range of medical questions.
They have acquired the ability to:
- write review articles, create a research proposal and evaluate proposals from others
- present and defend their research orally using a variety of different media
- independently formulate research projects in translational medicine, including identification of a research question, development of a methodology for its solution, and analysis of the impact of results on practice and policy.
- work autonomously on a specific research project in a laboratory or clinical setting and participate actively in lab routines such as journal clubs, progress reports and academic discussions.
Course Structure
The Master’s degree programme in Translational Medical Research is a one-year programme which consists in two semesters of study.
During the first semester, students take four modules which reflect the concept “from bench to bedside and back”:
- Module 1 concerns the basis of medical disorders and disease processes at the molecular and cellular level.
- Module 2 equips students with knowledge about current methods and challenges in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of disease, including the research approaches employed in these areas.
- Module 3 empowers students with skills in project design, research proposal writing and data analysis (including biostatistics, R programming and bioinformatics).
- Module 4 focusses specifically on translational medicine, including commercial exploitation, the role of stakeholders and clinical studies.
In Modules 1, 2 and 4, students are able to select short practical courses in which they become acquainted with experimentation in the fields of molecular oncology, neurobiology, vascular medicine or other topics.
In the second semester, TMR students carry out original research for their Master’s thesis, write this up, and present their findings orally.
International Version
Students who do not apply directly to the TMR programme but to the Erasmus-funded double degree programme “International Master in Innovative Medicine” (IMIM) study additionally for two semesters at a partner university.
Students taking the TMR course as part of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme “International Master in Innovative Medicine” (IMIM) must summarise the research performed during the second semester in the form of a written report or paper, as well as presenting their data orally.
The TMR degree is only awarded after successful completion of the entire IMIM degree programme, including a successful and recognised Master's thesis in the 2nd year (at the partner university).
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