Medical Informatics
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science |
| Application : | mandatory |
| Course commences: | winter semester only |
| Standard course duration: | 6 semesters |
| Focus options: | 100% only |
| Format options: | full-time only |
| Language requirements: | none |
| Languages of instruction: | German, occasionally English |
Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University / Faculty of Informatics, Heilbronn University
Medical Informatics scientists have been trained since 1972 in the context of cooperation between the universities of Heidelberg and Heilbronn. The course is recognised as being one of the best of its kind at an international level.
Course outline
Our society is increasingly challenged by the need to provide efficient, individualised and affordable medical care. Accordingly, if we are to keep pace with medical progress and promote technological and organisational innovation, modern information technologies are urgently needed. The interface between medicine, information science and society involves any number of varied, fascinating and responsible assignments and, at the same time, calls for a large number of well-trained and qualified experts.
The interdisciplinary field of Medical Informatics is multi-faceted and encompasses both methodological developments and software engineering for diagnosis and treatment. It also promotes simulation and modelling for increasingly individualised medical care and the development of new procedures in the areas of e-health and telemedicine. The planning and evaluation of clinical studies is becoming increasingly more important and is now one of the core topics in the course, along with data management and the evaluation of new care strategies and communication technologies in the health system.
Training goals
The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a knowledge of the present application-oriented principles operative in Medical Informatics and to enable them to make appropriate and effective use of them in dealing with development, consulting and management problems arising in different areas of medicine and the health-care system. Furthermore, graduates should be in a position to contribute to the selection and application of systems, methods and information-processing tools in the health system and devise problem-solving strategies of their own.
Application-related university education and training equips successful graduates with all the skills required to take on responsible positions in research institutions, industrial companies, hospitals and software firms.
After successful completion of the course, students can obtain further qualifications by embarking on the M.Sc. course in Medical Informatics.
Course structure
Students of Medical Informatics are enrolled at both Heidelberg University and the University of Heilbronn. The benefits of the higher-education context and the quality of university training are obvious. The two universities are located in attractive surroundings on the Neckar River and offer a broad range of cultural, sports and leisure activities.
The B.Sc. course in Medical Informatics normally takes six semesters and comprises 21 modules focusing on Medicine, Medical Informatics, Software Engineering, Mathematics and Business Management. In their sixth semester, students select one of three elective-compulsory modules enabling them to focus on a topic of special interest for them.
In the sixth semester students also complete their B.Sc. thesis on an issue of significance in Medical Informatics. The thesis should draw upon up-to-date procedures and methods and comply with scientific standards. It is done under supervision. The choice of topic may come either from institutions of the University of Heilbronn or from the whole scientific context of the University of Heidelberg, with institutions such as the University Hospital, the institutes of the Medical Faculty and the German Cancer Research Centre (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ).
For further details on the structure and content of the M.Sc. in Medical Informatics go to the website miandyou.de or consult the Examination and Study Regulations and the Module Handbook (both only available in German).
Formal requirements
Application
There is an admission restriction for the course. Please consult the latest Admission Regulations.
Closing date for applications
15 July for the winter semester
Application procedure
Applications must be addressed to the University of Heilbronn.
Further information
42 students can be admitted per semester.
The prerequisite for admission to the B.Sc. course in Medical Informatics at the University of Heidelberg and the University of Heilbronn is either a general or a relevant subject-specific university entrance qualification.
International applicants
There are special regulations for international applicants. For more information, apply to the International Relations Office of Heidelberg University (Seminarstraße 2).
Further information
Examination regulations
Examination Regulations: B.Sc. (23 May 2016)
Examination Regulations: B.Sc. (12 October 2006, last amended 11 December 2012)
Examination Regulations: B.Sc. (12 October 2006)
Module Handbook
The module handbook (in German language) provides an overview of all modules in the bachelor program medical informatics.
More detailed information about all modules and courses you can find in the extended module handbook (also in German).
Examinations board
Issues arising in connection with examinations, credit transfer and academic credential recognition are dealt with by the relevant examinations board/office. For more information, consult the academic advisor(s) indicated below.
Fees
Fees are payable to Heilbronn University.
Academic advisors
The following instructors will be happy to give you further details and personal advice on the B.Sc. in Medical Informatics.
Christian Haux, M.Sc.
Heidelberg University
Institute of Medical Biometry und Informatics
office hours: by arrangement
phone: +49 (0)6221 56-7634
e-mail: studienberatung-mi@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Dr. Christoph Maier
Heilbronn University
Faculty of Informatics
office hours: by arrangement
phone: +49 (0) 7131 504 355
e-mail: christoph.maier@hs-heilbronn.de
Contact
Heidelberg University
Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics
Department of Medical Informatics
Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3
D-69120 Heidelberg
Secretaries' office
phone: +49 (0)6221 567483
fax: +49 (0)6221 564997
e-mail: Sekretariat.MI@med.uni-heidelberg.de
University of Heilbronn
Faculty of Informatics
Medical Informatics
Max-Planck-Str. 39
D-74081 Heilbronn
Secretaries' office
phone: +49 (0)7131 504416
fax: +49 (0)7131 252470
e-mail: Tina.Ruhfass@hs-heilbronn.de
