Passed the acid test: One semester of biomedical data science completed

Very good. That’s how Marie Mikuteit, Adrian Schulz and Julia Winkler liked the first semester of the Master’s programme in Biomedical Data Science – both the content and the manner.
Together with their fellow students, they were able to delve into topics such as ‘Introduction to Data Science’, ‘Basics of Informatics’ and ‘Clinical Studies and Biobanking’, for example. “The course is well structured and has many practical examples,” reports Julia Winkler. What was new for many was the way of studying. Because instead of lessons on site, daily laboratory routine and internships on wards – which was familiar from previous medical or natural science degree programmes – everyone now learns at times of their own choosing, from home and online. “I like that because it allows me to coordinate my studies well with my work at the MHH,” says Marie Mikuteit. For others, it’s practical because they don’t live in Hanover. The small group of 18 people is also new and popular, for example for Adrian Schulz: “I like that everyone knows each other and teamwork is very much encouraged.”

Dealing at eye level
The students are particularly enthusiastic about the lecturers and coordinators. They find them just as committed, respectful and cooperative as they are flexible and accommodating. “You can tell that the lecturers are keen to teach us something. They think it’s relevant that people study something like this and interact with us at eye level,” Marie Mikuteit tells us. “You get a quick answer to your questions and it’s a real togetherness,” agrees Julia Winkler. The fact that the study programme is still in its infancy is noticeable in individual points – for example, there were times when the assignments were too extensive, but they were adjusted after feedback. “They are genuinely interested in our opinion and our feedback. We can help shape this new degree programme – and I want to live up to my responsibility,” Adrian Schulz says. The Corona restrictions were hardly noticeable in the study programme, as most of the appointments were planned online from the outset. It was important for everyone to get to know each other during a week of attendance at the beginning of the programme.

The students are looking forward to the next three semesters – as well as to the time afterwards. Adrian Schulz is excited about the topics of artificial intelligence, big data and biostatistics. He can imagine working in the field of data science later on. Marie Mikuteit would like to work at a university as a doctor and researcher later on, but also finds it important to be able to evaluate large data sets when working exclusively clinically. And Julia Winkler had a job in the field of clinical studies in mind when she started her studies. But now she knows: The spectrum of knowledge she is acquiring with this degree is much broader and offers many more possibilities than she thought.

Start of applications for the coming winter semester
From 30 April 2022, interested students can apply for the Master’s programme in Biomedical Data Science, which was developed within the RESIST Cluster of Excellence with significant participation of the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics at MHH and TU Braunschweig. The application deadline is 15 July 2022. More information can be found on the homepage at: www.mhh.de/master-biomeddat. The contact person is Dr. Melina Celik, telephone: (0511) 532-5700, e-mail: master.biomeddat@mh-hannover.de.

The photo shows Julia Winkler, Adrian Schulz and Marie Mikuteit (from left) in the MHH building J1.