Third-semester students were able to vote for the Biomedical Data Analysis Masters program's teaching award for the first time. And they were quite sure, because they decided unanimously. Thus, Dr. Dominik Wolff from the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics (PLRI) as the person responsible for the module "Statistical Machine Learning - AI and Data Analysis", together with the other lecturers of the module Mareike Schulze, Dr. Jan Wolff and Sarah Nee received an award sum of 20,000 euros. "We are very pleased to receive this award and will use the prize money to further enhance the quality of our teaching," says Dr. Wolff. The students were particularly enthusiastic about the commitment of the lecturers. They liked the structure and concept of the module as well as the learning materials, especially the step-by-step programming tutorials. The knowledge was conveyed to them in a concise and understandable manner, and they found the practice exercises appropriate in terms of time and difficulty. They also rated the balance between theory and practice positively. They had a lot of fun while learning, as there were many moments of success and they received continuous feedback.

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 [...]

The first students have started the new Master's programme, which was created as part of RESIST and PLRI. The Corona pandemic has made it clear to us: In medicine, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to handle large amounts of data safely. That is why Hannover Medical School (MHH) is now training experts in this field with the new Master's programme "Biomedical Data Analysis". The course was developed as part of RESIST with significant participation by the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics (PLRI) of the MHH and the TU Braunschweig. The first 18 students have now started their studies. They are graduates of a life science bachelor's degree or a medical degree. In the coming four semesters, they will learn to generate and handle large, heterogeneous and complex amounts of data in a targeted manner and to develop and apply IT solutions. This knowledge is intended to optimise the prevention of diseases, precise diagnoses as well as treatment and therapy decisions. "We are pleased to now be able to start the study programme together with you," said RESIST-speaker Prof. Dr. Thomas Schulz, head of the MHH Institute of Virology, at the opening ceremony on 7 October. He is the spokesperson for the new degree programme, together with Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Marschollek, Managing Director of the PLRI. The lecturers of the PLRI are substantially involved in the teaching of the study programme. The right study programme in the right place at the right time "The [...]

Master's programme at the interface between life sciences, medicine and computer science: Digitalisation is increasing. Hence, it is becoming more and more important in research, diagnostics and therapy to be able to handle large amounts of data – for example, for planning and evaluating clinical studies or complex experiments. But there are still too few experts in this field. The new four-semester Master's programme Biomedical Data Science, accredited in September 2020 and financed by RESIST, will help to remedy this situation. "We are very pleased that the Master's programme can start in the winter semester 2021/2022 with a total of 24 students. The analysis of large amounts of data is indispensable for individualised medicine and thus, for example, for people with a weak immune system," says RESIST speaker Professor Dr. Thomas Schulz, head of the MHH Institute of Virology. Together with Professor Dr. Dr. Michael Marschollek, Director of the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics at MHH, he is responsible for the schedule of the study programme. "The focus of this interdisciplinary and multi-professional study programme is on the collection, maintenance, processing, analysis and communication of data in the field of infection biology. The students learn to generate and handle large, heterogeneous and complex data sets and to develop and apply IT solutions," explains Professor Marschollek. They can work as scientists in research institutions or in (research) companies, biotechnological / clinical laboratories and government agencies – at the interface of life sciences, medicine and computer science. The study [...]