University of Thessaly - Greece

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MSc in Public Health and
Maritime Transport

MSc in Public Health and Maritime Transport

(MSc, 4 Semesters)

Start date September 2023
Programme title Public Health and Maritime Transport
Awarding body University of Thessaly (UTH), Greece
Faculty Faculty of Medicine
Teaching institution Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology
Academic staff The MSc will be instructed by academic staff from universities in Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Norway, Sweden. In addition, guest lecturers from both industry and public health institutions will share their experience and best practices from the field.
Length of programme Full time: 2 years to max. 4 years
Part time: 3.5 years to max. 5.5 years
Award title MSc in Public Health and Maritime Transport
Level of programme within the European Qualification Framework Masters (MSc) Level 7
Total credits ECTS: 120
Mode of delivery
  • Combination of distance learning and limited (optional) face-to-face learning
  • Distance learning only – start date: September 2023
Language of study The course is instructed and assessed in English

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Programme information

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated more than ever in recent history the importance, significance and necessity of public health across all disciplines and human activities. Extraordinary events can impact the entire transport sector, jeopardizing the distribution of essential goods for human life. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) characterizes the shipping sector as “the essential component of any programme for future sustainable economic growth, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples”. Qualified public health professionals can play a vital role in promoting health, preventing, mitigating and controlling diseases. The MSc in Public Health and Maritime Transport has been designed to offer students the essential skills required to deal with current demands of both the public health and maritime sectors, while simultaneously providing the necessary capacities to get prepared for future challenges.

You will be selecting a top-ranked university, with a Medical Faculty renowned for its academic teaching and research capacity, and whose Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology is recognized internationally, across Europe and nationally for its contribution to public health issues in transport sectors and points of entry (ports, airports, ground crossings).

  • The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Medical Faculty, UTH is designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the International Health Regulations: points of entry.
  • Since 2007, the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology has operated a postgraduate master’s course titled “MSc in Applied Public Health and Environmental Hygiene” with a focus on food and water safety, one of the first MSc courses in Greece in this field.
  • A Public health observatory in means of transport and points of entry was established at the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, with its scope addressing the teaching and research needs in subjects related to public health in means of transport and points of entry.
  • Under the framework of European projects it has coordinated, the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology has several years’ experience in organizing European level training courses.
  • The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology has an established history of coordinating and leading European funded projects and joint actions including:
    • Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action HEALTHY SAILING (Project Nr. 101069764) “Prevention, mitigation, management of infectious disease on cruise ships and passenger ferries” (2022-2025)
    • European Joint Action HEALTHY GATEWAYS (Grant Agreement Nr. 801493) “Preparedness and action at points of entry: ports, airports, ground crossings” (2018-2022)
    • European Service Contract “HADEA/2021/NP/0004 –E-TRAVEL TOOL – HEALTHY GATEWAYS” (2021-2023)
    • European Specific Contract: Organising a training entry – exit screening (2018-2019) – Specific Contract No 2017 72 06: “Evidence-based best practices on entry/exit screening for infectious diseases in humans under the FWC Chafea/2015/Health/05”
    • European Joint Action SHIPSAN ACT (Grant Agreement Nr. 2012 2103) “The impact on maritime transport of health threats due to biological, chemical and radiological agents” (2012-2017)
    • European Project “EU Ship Sanitation Training Network” (2008-2011)
    • The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology participates as a partner in the European EYE project (Economy bY space) and European Union AIRSAN project, and in external evaluation of the European joint action SHARP and European project EPI-South
    • At national level the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology has coordinated national programmes including:
    • Environmental Health Surveillance for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
    • Integrated surveillance and control programme for West Nile virus and malaria in Greece (2012-2013)
  • The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology delivers high-quality research with many doctoral and post-doctoral research studies in various public health fields completed or in progress. The Laboratory’s scientific members have published extensively in high impact factor, international peer reviewed public health journals.
  • Affiliated with the University General Hospital of Larissa as a cross-departmental unit, the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology also functions as a Peripheral Public Health Laboratory under the National Public Health Organization of Greece (NPHO).
  • Fully equipped with cutting edge technological equipment for performing both routine analyses and research projects, the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology meets Biosafety level 2 requirements.

More information about UTH is available here

Distinguished teaching staff from seven universities among five European countries

Teaching staff providing course lectures are recognized leaders in academic fields of applied epidemiology, public health, environmental health and hygiene, chronic and infectious diseases, maritime health, health economics, occupational health including seafarers, human resources management and shipping economics. Guest lecturers include public health professionals with practical experience in maritime public health aspects.

  • The course aim
    The MSc in Public Health and Maritime Transport aims to provide skills for a career in public health, epidemiology, occupational health, environmental health, as well as in the application of those skills in the context of maritime transport.The MSc will suit both those who will follow a career in the health and related sectors and those who will work or already working in the maritime sector.  It is suitable for both medical and non-medical backgrounds who intend to develop their research and technical professional skills.Teaching staff for the MSc Course lecturers are leaders in academic fields of applied epidemiology, public health, environmental health and hygiene, chronic diseases and infectious diseases, maritime health, health economics, occupational health including seafarers, human resources management and shipping economics. Guest lecturers include professionals in the public health sector with applied experience in maritime public health aspects.
  • Learning objectives
    The MSc provides students with three classes of competences as learning outcomes: transferable, subject-specific and research competences.

    Transferable competencies:
    • ability to develop self-directed learning skills to facilitate lifelong learning and continuous professional development
    • ability to demonstrate a high level of critical reflection to develop and apply ideas in a research context
    • ability to employ a systematic conceptual approach to gathering, analyzing and disseminating knowledge
    • ethical sensitivity in the acquisition and application of information
    • synthesis and presentation skills
    • oral and written skills in communicating knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences
    • competence in translating research evidence into practice
    • competence in using new information & communication technologies
    • excellent command of academic English
    • intercultural communication skills

   Subject-specific competencies:

 The MSc aims to train postgraduate students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to meet the challenges of public health through research and practice, with an emphasis on the challenges associated with the maritime transport including the passenger shipping sector.

 Upon completion of the studies, postgraduate students will be able to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of the key disciplines of public health, consisting of statistics, epidemiology, occupational health, health economics, social research, maritime administration, international health regulation and maritime law on real public health events, maritime health and cross-border health threats. In addition, they will be able to:

    • critically evaluate the basic functions of public health
    • demonstrate knowledge and skills in a series of public health and maritime health related subjects
    • participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of appropriate policies on public health issues
    • demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and communicate research data
    • understand the interaction between the environmental health, hygiene and occupational health considering available human resources
    • understand the interaction between the various public health factors, environmental factors, the maritime profession on public health, environmental hygiene and occupational hygiene with an emphasis on shipping, taking into account the available human resources
    • demonstrate familiarity with current research findings and research methods in Public Health with an emphasis in Maritime Transport Sector: Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, Cross border health threats, Preparedness and response to public health events of international concern, Occupational Health and Human Resources, ability to critically evaluate and use scientific literature to ensure public health on board of ships
    • ability to apply theoretical knowledge to analyse and solve concrete problems in Public Health issues related to maritime transport: response and management of public health events in maritime transport, participation in the management of international public health events, public health and environmental hygiene, occupational health and human resources
    • ability to work as a researcher: Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, Occupational Health and Human Resources at research laboratories as well as at Public Health institutions
    • ability to design and implement evidence-based strategies for the prevention and control of health threats in maritime transport sector.


Research competences (knowledge and understanding):

    • understanding of the research process and how it is used to solve problems in new and unfamiliar environments
    • familiarity with current research findings and research methods in Maritime Health
    • ability to critically evaluate and use scientific literature
    • ability to demonstrate a high level of critical reflection to develop and apply ideas in a research context
    • ability to employ a systematic conceptual approach to gathering, analysing and disseminating knowledge

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The below structure outlines the modules for each semester of this MSc.

In the programme and module specifications below the aims and objectives of each module, the subjects to be covered by each module and the methods of assessment is presented.

Download the Programme Specification from here

This programme includes four semesters and is instructed and assessed in English. Students are expected to collect 120 ECTS credits during the four semesters (full time mode of study).

Semesters 1, 2 and 3

The MSc operates on a modular system and includes 13 modules instructed over three semesters. All modules combined amount to 480 teaching hours. Students will have the opportunity to participate in practical training over the course of one week to put theory into practice (optional).

  • 1st semester: 5 modules
  • 2nd semester: 4 modules
  • 3rd semester: 4 modules

Semester 4

Upon successful completion of all mandatory modules, during the 4th semester students will either complete a research-based thesis or partake in an internship placement (where they will also have to submit a final report based on this placement).

Research-based thesis The topic of the research-based thesis is selected during the 4th semester by the student, in close cooperation with their supervisor. A three-member committee (one supervisor and two additional members) is assigned to each student by the Assembly of the Department – following the suggestion of the MSc Director –  with a research field relevant or related to the student’s thesis topic. The supervisor is responsible for following up the postgraduate student’s progress. In addition, the supervisor acknowledges the work project, supports research by suggesting specific research sources, assesses the quality of student work, and in cooperation with the other members of the committee, approves the research-based thesis which the candidate will have to defend publicly. The three-member committee will grade the thesis on a scale from 1 to 10, with 5 being the minimum acceptable grade for the thesis to be accepted as satisfactory. If a student receives a grade below 5, the student will be granted a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 months to make improvements and resubmit.
Internship placement This internship placement with a relevant organization, institute or company will provide an opportunity for students to bridge theory and practice while simultaneously making a positive contribution to their host setting. This hands-on experience will allow students to develop their skills and capabilities while gaining practical insights into public health issues in the maritime sector.  Examples of host organizations for internship placements include port health authorities, ministries of health, transport or maritime or public health institutions, research institutions, international bodies, ship operators, cruise lines and shipping companies. A two-member committee from the MSc teaching staff will be appointed together with a supervisor from the host organization, which will be responsible to follow the student’s progress and assess the internship placement report. The internship placement will be graded on a scale from 1 to 10, with 5 being the minimum acceptable grade for the internship to be accepted as satisfactory. If a student receives a grade below 5, the student will be requested to extend the internship for 3 months, or to undertake a research-based thesis.

1st Semester

Module Type

Module

Hours

ECTS
1 Mandatory Principles in epidemiology and social research 48 8
2 Mandatory Statistics for public health 24 6
3 Mandatory Principles of occupational health 36 7
4 Mandatory Ιntroduction to International Trade and Shipping Management 24 5
5 Mandatory Μaritime law and International Health Regulations 24 4
Total teaching hours and ECTS 156 30

2nd Semester

Module Type

Module

Hours

ECTS
1 Mandatory Topics in public health 36 7
2 Mandatory Crisis management in maritime transport sector 48 8
3 Mandatory Epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases in maritime transport sector 60 8
4 Mandatory Epidemiology and prevention of chronic diseases in maritime transport sector 24 8
Total teaching hours and ECTS 168 30

3rd Semester

Module Type

Module

Hours

ECTS
1 Mandatory Hygiene in maritime transport sector 60 8
2 Mandatory Environment and Shipping 24 6
3 Mandatory Health promotion and risk communication 36 8
4 Mandatory Topics in maritime health 36 8
Total teaching hours and ECTS 156 30

4th Semester – Research Project

Module Title

ECTS
1 Research-based thesis / Internship placement and report 30

Assessment

  • Students are assessed through
    • time-limited examinations,
    • individual module assessments (which may be an essay or other written assignment, short written tests, a groupwork report or presentation, or other method).

    Such tasks are designed to assess, via the most appropriate method, whether learning objectives have been met.

Programme Director
Programme DirectorAssoc. Prof. Barbara Mouchtouri
Position: Associate Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology
Department: Medical School, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Deputy Programme Director
Deputy Programme DirectorProf. Christos Hadjichristodoulou
Position: Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Director of the Laboratory Hygiene and Epidemiology
Department: Laboratory Hygiene and Epidemiology
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Prof.
Prof.Ioannis Boziaris
Position: Professor
Department: Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Assoc. Prof.Nikolaos Christodoulou
Position: Associate Professor Psychiatry
Department: Department Neurology & Sensory Organs
University of Thessaly, Greece
Full CV in EN
Prof.Ioanna Grivea
Position: Professor Pediatrics and Neonatology
Department: Department Mother & Child
University of Thessaly, Greece
Full CV in EN

Assist. Prof.
Assist. Prof.Eleni Malissiova
Position: DVetMed, MSc, MSc, PhD Assistant Professor Quality, Safety & Technology of Food of Animal Origin
Department: Department of Animal Science
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Assist. Prof.
Assist. Prof.Ioannis Pantazopoulos
Position: Pulmonologist – Intensivist Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Department: Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Prof.
Prof.Nikos Papadopoulos
Position: Professor of Applied Entomology
Department: Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Prof.
Prof.Efthimia Petinaki
Position: Professor of Biopathology-Clinical Microbiology,
Department: Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN
Prof.Spyridon Potamianos
Position: Professor Gastroenterology
Department: Department Internal Medicine
University of Thessaly, Greece
Full CV in EN

Professor
ProfessorPanagiotis Prezerakos
Position: Professor of Nursing Services Management – Modules of Nursing Care
Department: Department of Nursing
University of Peloponnese
Short Bio

Assoc. Prof.
Assoc. Prof.Georgios Rachiotis
Position: Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Occupational Hygiene
Department: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Prof.
Prof.Mattheos Speletas
Position: Professor of Medical Immunology, University of Thessaly, Faculty of Medicine
Department: Department of Immunology & Histocompatibility
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN
Prof.Filipos Tryposkiadis
Position: Professor Cardiology
Department: Department Internal Medicine
Full CV in EN

Prof.
Prof.Andreas Tsakalof
Position: Professor of Medical Chemistry (retired)
Department: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology
University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Assoc.Prof.
Assoc.Prof.Assoc. Prof. Nikolaos P. Ventikos
Position: Associate Professor
Department: Laboratory for Maritime Transport, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN
Prof.Elias Zintzaras
Position: Professor Biomathematics-Biometry
Department: Department Clinical and Laboratory Research
University of Thessaly, Greece
Full CV in EN

Dr
DrMichalis Koureas
Position: Environmental engineer & postdoctoral researcher
Department: Medical School, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology University: University of Thessaly, Greece
Short Bio

Assoc. Prof.
Assoc. Prof.Anna-Bettina Haidich
Position: Associate Professor of Medical Statistics-Epidemiology
Department: Department of Hygiene, Social-Preventive Medicine & Medical Statistics, School of Medicine
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Short Bio
Full CV in EN
Dr
DrAntonios Michaelakis
Position: Head Research Scientist Department: Laboratory of Insects & Parasites of Medical Importance/Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology
University: Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Greece
Short Bio

Dr
DrConstantine Vardavas
Research associate, University of Crete, Greece
Lecturer, Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
Short Bio

Dr
DrAngelos Menelaou
Position: Head of Department
Department: Department of Maritime Transport and Commerce, School of Business and Law
Frederick University, Cyprus
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Prof.
Prof.Dr. Volker Harth
Position: Director Medical Specialist in Occupational Medicine
Department: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, Germany
University: Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Germany
Short Bio
Full CV in EN
Dr
Dr Marcus Oldenburg
Position: Head of Department Maritime Medicine
Department: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, Germany
University: Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Germany
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Dr
DrJan Heidrich
Position: Senior scientist
Department: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, Germany
University: Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Germany
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Prof.Dr.
Prof.Dr.Jörn Klein
Position: Professor
Department: Faculty of Health and Social Sciences Department of Nursing and Health Sciences & Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences Department of Microsystems
University of South-Eastern-Norway (USN)
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Dr
DrDespoina Andrioti Bygvraa
Position: Senior lecturer
Department: School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department of Medicine
University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Short Bio
Full CV in EN

Under construction

Graduates from the following can receive admission to the MSc :

a) Graduates from all departments of Recognised Foreign Educational Institutions that are relevant to the wider subject matter of the MSc’s content; and

b) Graduates from all departments of Greek Universities and Technological Educations Institutes that are relevant to the wider subject matter of the MSc’s content.

Certificate of proof of very good competency of English language, unless students have completed an academic program (BSc, MA, MSc, MBA) that was instructed and assessed in English.

The Admissions Committee will evaluate the applications and supporting documentation, and will provide an overall rating based on the following criteria:

Criteria Rating %
1 Grade of undergraduate degree 20%
2 English language level 10%
3 Publications or announcements 10%
4 Relevant employment experience 20%
5 letters of recommendation 10%
6 Interview 30%
Total 100%

The tuition fees are 8.000,00 € per student for each study cycle.

There are opportunities for studying free of charge based on socioeconomic criteria.  A prerequisite for granting the right to free attendance due to socioeconomic criteria is the fulfillment of conditions of excellence during the first cycle of studies. The submission of applications for free attendance takes place after the completion of the admission process of students to the Postgraduate Program.

  • Application steps
  1. Check that you meet, or are expecting to meet, the MSc entry requirements
  2. Check the application deadlines (below).
  3. Apply online using the online application form
  4. A list of candidates with complete Master’s degree applications will be compiled and forwarded to the Selection Committee for review. If your application form is considered complete and you are included in the list you will then be contacted via email to notify you for the date and time for an interview.
  5. Await a decision – You will be informed on the decision via email.
  • Application checklist
    Before starting your application, review the list below to ensure you have all the information and documents needed to apply:Information you will need to know for the application:
  • Your complete contact details
  • Your qualification details
  • Your employment details
  • Your referees’ details (full names and email addresses)

Mandatory documents you will need to upload:

  • Copy of your first degree, or certificate of completion of studies
  • Translation of your undergraduate degree in English if your undergraduate degree is NOT in English or any other official language of the EU (see here the EU official languages https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/service-standards-and-principles/commissions-use-languages_en)
  • Academic transcript / Diploma supplements (if available – please see here for further information)
  • CV / resume including a list of publications in scientific journals or announcements
  • Evidence of English language level (validated English language certificate, unless student has completed an academic program (BSc, MA, MSc, MBA) instructed and assessed in English language)
  • Copy of passport (photo page) or EU national ID card
  • Your photograph in colour

Optional documents you will be asked to upload:

  • Copy of other post-graduate studies (if available)
  • Certificates of relevant professional qualifications and research activities (if available)
  • Two letters of recommendation

 

  • Application deadline
    The deadline for applications is 31st of July 2023

Click here to apply online

Receipt of your application

You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application.

We strongly recommend that you check your email settings before applying to ensure that “@uth.gr” email addresses are not blocked or sent to your spam or junk email folders.

Application Decision

The assessment of selection criteria and their grading is carried out by the members of the Selection Committee in accordance with the below described procedures.

  1. Review of application form and supporting documentation

We will be reviewing the application form to ensure that all requested supported documentation has been submitted.

We will contact you if there are any additional information required.

  1. List of candidates with complete Master’s degree applications and interviews

A list of candidates with complete Master’s degree applications will be compiled and forwarded to the Selection Committee for review.

If your application form is considered complete and you are included in the list you will then be contacted via email to notify you for the date and time for an interview.

  1. Application decision

The assessment of selection criteria and their grading is carried out by the members of the Selection Committee in accordance with the below described procedures.

The Selection Committee Members assess separately each candidate and grade him/her with specific units (see selection criteria below). The number of credits the candidate is finally credited with is the average of the credit given by all the Selection Committee Members.

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applications and supporting documentation, and will provide an overall rating based on the following criteria:

Criteria Rating %
1 Grade of undergraduate degree 20%
2 English language level 10%
3 Publications or announcements 10%
4 Relevant employment experience 20%
5 letters of recommendation 10%
6 Interview 30%
Total 100%

In the event that two candidates accumulate the same number of evaluation units in total, priority is given to the candidate with the highest grade in his/her first degree.

Α list including the application form codes of accepted applicants in order of success, will be compiled. Then the list will be reviewed by the MSc’s Selection Committee and submitted to the Department’s Assembly for approval.

  1. Notification of successful candidates

You will be notified of the outcome of your application via email.

Admission status

Closed

Latest News and Announcements

Latest news and announcements of the Master Degree and the University

Contact information

  • mscphm-admin@uth.gr

  • 0030 2410 565055

  • Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology
    Papakyriazi 22, Larissa, 41222, Greece

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