FAQ

I am not a student of LMU. Can I still participate in the course?

Yes. PPCR is open to both students and professionals from any academic institution (e.g. Technical University Munich and Max Planck Institutes), research center (e.g. Helmholtz Center) or from the industry.

I have no experience in clinical research yet/I am still a student. Does the course suit me?

PPCR is designed for individuals who wish to gain training in clinical research before embarking onto the field and for those who are already experienced in the field and wish to broaden their knowledge. This allows participants to learn from each other’s experiences whilst interacting with one another. However, it is advisable for participants to have obtained a bachelor’s degree or be in the clinical training component of your medical studies, in order to comfortably grasp the contents of PPCR.

Why do the lectures take place so late in the evening?

In order to ensure interactivity between Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Executive and Continuing Professional Education and the site centers during discussions, Q&A sessions and even in midst of the lectures - a fundamental component of PPCR - it is vital for the lectures to be broadcasted as and when it happens. PPCR lectures are conducted in Boston, every Thursday from 16.00 - 19.00, which is 22.00 - 01.00 in Munich, thereby necessitating lectures to take place late in the evening.

I am regularly on night call. Do I have to be present in the site center in order to attend the videoconferences?

You are required to have 75% of attendance to pass the course. Therefore, you are only allowed to have seven absences. If you are absent at the site center during a lecture, the web-based nature of PPCR allows remote access to lectures, either live or after it has been uploaded onto the PPCR Harvard site (to which you will obtain access to after enrollment).

Can I attend the lectures online while I am on a conference?

Yes, you will receive a link for remote access of weekly lectures, from which you can watch the lecture. However, you will not receive an attendance as you were not present at the site center.

Does the university cover the costs of the course?

Unfortunately, LMU cannot cover the costs of the course. However, we will support students with necessary documentation if they apply for stipends.

What is the workload of the program?

The workload of the program depends on the extent of effort you chose to invest in the program. For further information on workload, please refer to the student evaluation of the PPCR program at http://ppcr.org/ppcr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=225

Would tuition fees be refunded if I had to drop out after enrollment?

Tuition fee refunds are based on when the refund request is made by the participant. All requests for refunds must be made in writing according to the terms below. There will be no exceptions to these terms. The following describes the terms of tuition fee refunds as of the 2017 academic cycle.

• Main course component refunds: Cancellations on or before January 7, 2017, will be issued a refund less a $150 administrative fee per person. Cancellations received between January 13, 2017 and February 9, 2017 will be issued a refund of 50%. After February 9, 2017, no refund will be issued.
• Workshop refunds: Cancellations on or before June 5, 2017 will be issued a refund less a $150 administrative fee per person. Cancellations received between June 6, 2017 and July 3, 2017 will be issued a refund of 50%. After July 3, 2017, no refund will be issued.