Contact

Advisor for the promotion of early career researchers in Medicine

Dr Monika Frenzel-Herrmann

+49 (0) 441 798 4859

https://uol.de/en/school6/early-career/team-nachwuchsfoerderung-und-internationales

V03 M-3-331

every 1st Friday of the month, 10-11 a.m. (please pre-register by email up to one week in advance)

Research in the degree programme human medicine

Longitudinal research curriculum (LFC)

A longitudinal research curriculum (LFC) is anchored in the model degree programme in human medicine, which accompanies students in the various phases of their studies. The aim is to guide students in scientific thinking, to teach them techniques of scientific work, to give them insights into active research activities and to inspire them for research.

Students can also find more information about the LFC here (please log in to Stud.IP).

LFC Year 1

As early as in the second semester, students get a first insight into the field of research and scientific work. In the context of a small, clearly defined research project and accompanied by a tutor, the students work on a narrowly defined scientific question in a small group. They learn to answer this using appropriate research methods and to present the results obtained.

This is accompanied by a series of lectures that provide a systematic introduction and cover topics relevant to LFC Year 1, but also to subsequent research projects. These include an introduction to "good scientific practice", legal aspects, experimental design/study design, experimental work, reading scientific texts, scientific writing, and the impact and consequences of science and research on medicine.

LFC Year 2/3

In years 2 and 3, students gain initial insights into different research areas through two one-week research placements (LFC year 2/3). These job shadowing placements are chosen independently by the students according to their interests. The aim is to familiarise them with the research activities and processes of the various institutions as well as the methods used there.

Four block weeks are scheduled for this in the annual plan. Many courses also take place during the semester. Students are also free (depending on the arrangement of their timetable) to complete these internships at other times during the academic year in a compact form or alongside a module. The temporal scope of one working week (~40 hours) should be adhered to. The internship is completed with an internship report.

LFC Year 5

In the fifth year of study, students work independently on a major research project (LFC year 5) from the field of medical or medical-related research within a block of 16 weeks. The topic of the research work is freely selectable. In carrying out the project, particular emphasis is placed on the formulation of a research question and the formulation of testable hypotheses, the critical use of information sources and assessment of their relevance to the student's own research question, methodologically sound experimental design, comprehensible presentation and coherent interpretation of the results, correct conclusions in terms of content and the placement of the student's own work in the context of the relevant research area. Students who wish to pursue a doctorate after completing their studies can work on a topic that builds on the research project of the 5th year.

Accompanying suitable elective seminars are offered as part of the PE Year 5 pathway.

Students can find topics for research papers via the topic exchange in Stud.IP (please log in beforehand).

Research work and research internships at the UMCG in Groningen

The Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen (UMCG) and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of RUG (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) offer a broad research landscape and thus students the opportunity to gain an in-depth insight into medical and medical-related research. Research at the UMCG is characterised by a close integration of basic research and patient-oriented clinical research.

Students from the model study programme in human medicine can also carry out their research work in Groningen or in cooperation with a Groningen research group within the framework of LFC 5. Research work completed in Groningen is credited as an exchange. It is also possible to complete LFC 2/3 research internships or a short visit as part of a "lab visitation".

An overview of the research projects currently on offer can be found on the Junior Scientific Masterclass (JSM) website(www.jsmgroningen.nl). Further information and current project announcements can be found by students of the Model Course of Studies in Human Medicine within Stud.IP in the LFC event.

If you are interested in a research project or a research internship in Groningen, you can find information on or contact the coordinator in Groningen directly.

For financial support, the Erasmus + programme is available.

Epidemiology and biometry

Teaching in the field of epidemiology and biometry (EuB) is the responsibility of the Department of Epidemiology and Biometry (Department of Health Services Research). In the curriculum of the model study programme in human medicine, basic methodological training takes place in the second year via the course Biometry and Epidemiology and the data analysis project. In the fourth year, this is deepened via the "Journal Club" series of events integrated into the clinical modules and the significance of the results of clinical research is discussed. Further information can be found here.

FAQs about the LFC

LFC 1

How do I take part in LFC1?

LFC Year 1 is offered in the summer semester and is integrated into modules 1.3 and 1.4. Students can find more information about LFC Year 1 in Stud.IP in the LFC event. We will invite you in good time to an information event at the end of each winter semester.

LFC 2/3

How do I find a research project within the LFC Year 2/3?

Each semester, projects for the LFC 2/3 are offered via the event directory, the places are distributed via an automated lottery procedure. Current information is announced each semester via the event "Model Study Course Human Medicine Information". Alternatively, students can independently apply directly to research institutions/departments for a placement and are individually supervised by the institution (job shadowing). The timing can be organised in consultation with the supervising institution. You will also find out all the important organisational details in the information meetings for the 2nd year of study, which take place regularly at the end of the summer semester.

LFC 5

How do I find a research project for my research work?

Project offers are announced via the university's topic exchange. Alternatively, take a look at the website of Faculty VI, where you will find an overview of the current research projects in each department. If you are interested, please contact the respective head of department yourself to find out whether research projects are currently offered to students.

How do I register my research work?

The binding registration for the research paper Year 5 takes place by submitting the registration form and all other necessary documents to the Academic Examinations Office. Once admitted to the research paper, the student has 16 weeks to complete the project full-time. An extension of the processing period by a maximum of 6 weeks is possible upon application with meaningful justification.

What criteria must the first and second supervisors fulfil?

At least one of the two reviewers must have a habilitation. If the research project is supervised by an external first supervisor, the second supervisor must be a member of the faculty with a habilitation or a member of the faculty with a habilitation. If a project is to be continued as a doctoral project, the requirements of the doctoral regulations must be observed.

How should the research proposal be structured?

  • A research proposal (RP) serves as a supervision agreement and regulates the scope and procedure of the research project for both sides, the student and the first supervisor Year 5.
  • At the beginning of the work on the research project, the students first prepare an RP independently, under the supervision of the first supervisor, which is submitted to the second supervisor for review.
  • An RP includes the following information:
    • Thematic approach: general background and literature (max. 250 words),
    • Research question and hypotheses: specific classification of the work, problem statement and resulting questions (max. 750 words),
    • Work plan: Design of the study, methods used,
    • time schedule (max. 750 words),
    • Declaration of compliance with ethical and animal protection regulations, as well as regulations on the handling of genetically modified organisms; indication of relevant approvals (max. 250 words),
    • If applicable, differentiation from a later doctoral project.
  • When registering the thesis at the examination office, the RP is also submitted.

What are the tasks of the first supervisor?

In addition to supervising the student working on the project, the first supervisor's tasks also include ensuring compliance with the guidelines for "good scientific practice", especially if the research project needs to be assessed by the medical ethics committee of the faculty. In week 8, formative interim feedback on the research work to date is given by the first supervisor (form is handed out via the examination office when the thesis is registered). The interim evaluation is submitted to the Acad. Examinations Office according to the given deadline.

How do I structure my research project?

  • The results of the research project are written up in the form of a research paper (max. 60 pages).
  • Formal guidelines for the design and submission of the research paper will be issued by the Examinations Office after registration.
  • A research paper usually has the following structure:
    • Title page,
    • Summary/abstract,
    • introduction,
    • Material and methods,
    • Results
    • Discussion (including conclusion and outlook),
    • Bibliography
    • possibly an appendix,
    • Explanation (independent work, aids and sources)

In what form do I have to present my results?

At the end of the research work phase, the results are presented by the student in an oral final colloquium open to the university. In this way, the students should show that they are able to work independently on interdisciplinary and problem-related issues from the field of the corresponding subject on a scientific basis and to present the findings in an understandable way. The final colloquium is taken by the examiners (first and second examiners) and lasts a maximum of 30 minutes. The oral presentation within the framework of the final colloquium is graded and is submitted to the examination office by the examiners.

How is the research paper assessed/graded?

The assessment of the Year 5 research paper takes the form of written reviews by the first and second examiners with appropriate subject expertise and, in terms of professional development, feedback from the first supervisor of the research paper as part of the formative interim feedback and the final oral colloquium. A publication is not a prerequisite for the successful completion of the academic achievement "Research Paper Year 5".

Where can I find support with questions about academic work and writing?

  • The workshop curriculum PE Year 5 - Research and Science Pillar offers the opportunity to deal specifically with topics related to scientific work and to receive further training.
  • The Mixed-Methods Laboratory of the Department of Organisation-Related Health Services Research deals with the qualitative and quantitative methods of empirical social research, and in the associated research workshop you can find support for questions about your own research project.
  • The learning workshop of the ZSKB also offers support with questions about scientific work and especially with difficulties in the writing process.

How do I write my research paper in/about Groningen?

  • If you would like to complete a "research clerkship" in Groningen and also part of the student exchange with Groningen in year 5, you can use the document student manual research clerkship M3 (SMRC, M3) (see event on the model study programme in human medicine in Stud.IP) as a guide.
  • The procedures and regulations described there apply with the following restriction: A research project can be completed at the UMCG, but also at an affiliated hospital (Martini Ziekenhuis Groningen, MCL Leeuwarden, Isala Zwolle, MST Enschede, ZGT Almelo) or abroad, as long as it is not in a German-speaking country.
  • If a research project is completed abroad via Groningen, there must be a supervisor in Groningen in addition to the supervisor abroad (see also regulations in document SMRC, M3).
  • An overview of the research projects currently offered can be found on the Junior Scientific Masterclass (JSM) website(www.jsmgroningen.nl). The website is not always up to date, as project providers often do not remove expired offers. However, it is regularly maintained.
  • Offers are also announced in Nestor (ELearning environment in Groningen), these are also posted online in Oldenburg in Stud.IP in the LFC event.
  • Alternatively, take a look at the UMCG website, where you will find a departmental overview of the current research projects. If you are interested, please contact the respective head of department yourself to find out whether research projects are currently offered to students.
  • Please register at in the Office of the Dean of Studies to obtain access to NESTOR.
  • Information on preparing the Research Proposal and registering the Thesis can be found described in detail in the document SMRC, M3.
  • If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms Bulk/Mrs Vriend via
  • The information about the passed Master's thesis in Groningen will be sent directly to the Office of the Dean of Studies and, after conversion of the grade, we will send it to the Academic Examination Office.

How can I get biometric/statistical advice?

  • To obtain a biometric consultation, you must first complete the application form located at www.medizin.uni.muenster.de/ibfk/beratung (see also next item). This can be sent by fax or e-mail.
  • Requests can be made for advice on all biometric questions, from the planning and implementation to the evaluation of studies.
  • Consultation requests can only be submitted by professors, private lecturers or independent junior research group leaders of Faculty VI. In the case of doctoral theses, the request is made accordingly via the supervisor. If the supervisor of the Year 5 research thesis does not fall into this category, please contact
  • The costs incurred for consultations are borne by Faculty VI as long as they do not exceed the usual scope.

My project incurs costs: Are there financing options?

  • There are various ways in which travel expenses, conference fees or material funding for student projects can be applied for:
    • University funds can be applied for via FliF to finance travel costs and conference fees for students to attend congresses. Information on this can be found via: uol.de/research-at-studium/student-research/.
    • The mentor can also apply for earmarked material funds (procurement of materials, printing costs, etc.) via a faculty research fund for projects chosen by students (one-time/max. 500€ per project). Applications submitted will be approved by the Dean's Office. An informal application with a brief justification and a list of the requested material funds can be submitted via .

Information for lecturers

Within the framework of the LFC, we welcome support from committed teachers in the following areas:

  • For LFC Year 1, we are looking for research projects that are clearly defined and can be worked on within a semester in small groups. A semester-long course (integrated into modules 1.3 and 1.4) of 3 hours per week is planned. LFC Year 1 starts in mid-March and ends in mid-July with a final symposium. As part of the symposium, students present their research findings via a poster and a talk.
  • Placements (job shadowing) and project opportunities (structured practical small group teaching related to research) are sought for LFC Year 2/3, providing students with opportunities to gain insight into a research area or research methodology. The projects can either be offered within the internship weeks provided for in the curriculum or other formats will be developed (e.g. accompanying the semester or as a weekend/block module). A short internship report (e.g. a short paper/description of the research area and/or protocols) should be written about the internship.

The block weeks are scheduled in the following periods::

SoSe 2023:

- LFC 3: 13.03. - 17.03.2023

- LFC 2: 30.05. - 02.06.2023

WiSe 2023/24:

LFC 2: 09.10.-13.10.2023.

LFC 3: 18.12.-22.12.2023

Summer semester 2024:

-LFC 3: 11.03.-15.03.2024

-LFC 2: 03.06.-07.06.2024

  • For LFC Year 5, research projects are sought that students can work on independently, but closely supervised, within the scheduled 16 weeks. The projects should ideally be set up and prepared in such a way that direct entry into the topic is possible. Topics can be suggested by teachers via the Topic Exchange in Stud.IP.
  • For the accompanying curriculum "Research and Science" within the framework of the Professional Development Pathway Year 5, we are continuously looking for new workshop offers. You can find further information here.

If you are interested in getting involved in teaching as part of the LFC, please get in touch via !

(Changed: 20 Jun 2024)  | 
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