Postgraduate Master of Science in Epidemiology

The Master of Science in Epidemiology is a postgraduate Master’s programme that offers students an advanced interdisciplinary education to focus their methodological knowledge and expand their competencies in epidemiologic research. The programme is designed for inspired mid-career professionals from the fields of medical and natural sciences, social sciences, IT, or mathematics who want to make a difference in clinical and population health. The extensive collaborations with public health and health policy institutions ensure that coursework reflects current developments in research and scientific professional practice. Classes are taught by experienced faculty from the Charité and partnering institutions such as the Robert Koch Institute, the Max Delbrück Center, the Berlin Institute of Health, Bayer AG, and the Hasso Plattner Institute. Graduates will be qualified to pursue careers as research scientists in clinical trials, outbreak investigation, infection control, or disease monitoring in academia or with government agencies. The MSc Epidemiology consists of five core methods modules, three advanced elective modules, a research project, and a Master's thesis. The aim of the five core methods modules is to ensure that all students have a comprehensive set of theoretical and applied skills in epidemiologic research methods. The core modules comprise five credits each for a total of 25 credits. Both full-time and part-time students should complete them in the first and second semesters of the programme. The programme also offers a variety of elective courses that students can choose from to fulfil the requirements in the advanced elective modules. The advanced elective modules provide room for students to pursue individual interests in 15 credits worth of coursework. The areas of study are roughly grouped under the following headings: applied methods, disease monitoring, and applied epidemiology. The intent of the electives is to impart specialised methodological skills in various fields of application. The Master's thesis is an independent scientific research project and makes up one third of the MSc Epidemiology degree. Students receive 20 credits for the completion of the two connected courses, Module 9 – Master's project and Module 10 – Master's thesis. Module 9 is designed to provide room for finding and preparing an independent research project that is suitable for completion in the final Module 10 – Master's thesis. Each student will work with two academic advisers from the programme's faculty or related research institutions. The Master's thesis gives students the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained throughout the programme to a practical research project. It is also a chance to get to know potential employers! All courses have the character of a seminar. In addition to imparting knowledge, they are designed to promote interaction and exchange between students so that the knowledge they bring from their original discipline or work experience can be built upon and shared. Full-time students complete the programme in one year (12 months) and part-time students complete the programme in two years (four semesters). The programme’s flexible structure makes it possible for students to create individual course plans should they need more time to complete the programme. PDF Download