Curriculum Structure
Course Duration
Minimum duration for the completion of the MSc Program is set at three (3) academic semesters, that is, two (2) semesters of courses and one (1) semester dedicated to the preparation of the postgraduate diploma thesis (MSc Thesis). Implementation of the Thesis could be extended, under specific circumstances, up to a second semester, this the maximum duration of study, starting from the initial registration, is two (2) years.
Postgraduate students (PS) who exceed the maximum study duration without having completed their academic obligations are automatically dismissed from the MSc ESAS. Dismissed students are notified by the Secretariat and should withdraw from the program. However, they can receive a certificate of attendance for the courses that they have attended and successfully completed.
Study Extension
An extension of studies is generally not permitted. By exception, in special cases and after a justified request by the postgraduate student and the approval of the Steering Committee (SC), the absolutely necessary extension may be granted by decision of the Program Studies Committee (PSC) for reasons of force majeure, e.g. serious illness, etc..
Study Suspension
Postgraduate students are granted the possibility of temporarily suspending their studies, for a period of time that cannot exceed a total of two academic semesters. To this purpose, it is required the submission of a justified request to the PSC by the student and the consent of the SC. The suspension period is not counted in the total time of studies.
Part-time Study
Exceptionally the possibility of part-time study based on the provisions set by Law 4957/2022 can be provided, upon request of the student and the approval of the Program Studies Committee.
Course Instruction
Courses in each semester last 13 weeks. The remaining time of each academic semester will be dedicated to students’ preparation and examinations.
Teaching courses are conducted over three days per week, lasting for a total of 15 hours per week (3 hours per course × 5 courses). Lectures and technical visits last an additional 3 hours.
Physical attendance by professors, instructors and students is mandatory during course instruction. In the event of an exceptional case, e.g. due to Covid-related measures, or invited speakers from abroad, teleconferencing will be employed. Extensive use of audiovisual teaching aids is foreseen (PowerPoint, videos, etc.), as well as references to relevant laws, books, essays, scientific articles, etc.
In the event of lost instructional hours, rescheduling of the lecture shall be arranged by mutual agreement between the course instructors and the postgraduate students, under the coordination of the Secretariat of the MSc. The rescheduled lecture shall take place within the current academic period.
Language of Instruction
In the context of training new scientists and professionals who are expected to work in an international environment, the languages of instruction and examination for the courses are Greek and English. The language of the postgraduate diploma thesis is English. The dissertation should include an extensive summary in Greek.
Exams and Assessment
Course grades are assigned on a scale of 0-10, without fractional points, with a minimum passing grade of 5.
The final course grade results from a combination of the final written examination and the exercises/ assignments conducted during the semester. Their relative weight is determined for every course by the responsible instructor, approved by the Program Studies Committee, and communicated to the students in a timely manner.
The final exam is conducted at the end of the semester, during a two-week examination period, in accordance with the Unified Academic Calendar for Postgraduate Studies of NTUA. Only students who have not exceeded the maximum number of allowed absences per course are eligible to participate in the examinations.
The results are issued by the lecturers within two weeks after the final examination and are announced to the students.
Graduation/ Grade of MSc Diploma
The Diplomas of Postgraduate Studies are issued under the responsibility of the Director of the PIPP–ESAS, with the administrative support of the School of Chemical Engineering and the NTUA Digital Governance Unit. For the Diploma to be awarded, PS must obtain passing grades in all courses and the Diploma Thesis, i.e. the accumulation of 90 ECTS credits, in accordance with the Program’s study requirements. If this is not achieved, the postgraduate student receives only a certificate of attendance for the courses in which a passing grade was obtained and withdraws from the program.
Calculation of Overall Grade
The overall grade for the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies is calculated as the weighted average of the grades of the postgraduate courses and the Thesis, where the latter is considered equivalent to the ECTS of an entire semester. Thus, the Diploma Grade is equal to the Sum of grades of ten (10) postgraduate courses plus five times the Thesis grade divided by 15 The original title of the MSc does not indicate the diploma grade numerically but only the scale “Good”, “Very Good” or “Excellent”, which will be issued depending on the final grade obtained. As for the scales, those applicable to undergraduate studies are applied, namely Excellent (9 to 10), Very Good (7 to 8.99), Good (5 to 6.99).
The Diploma is accompanied by a certificate listing all courses of the program (with the corresponding grades) and the overall numerical grade of the Diploma, if the PS wishes for. The topic and grade of the Master’s Thesis are particularly highlighted. The diploma and the certificate are issued in Greek and in an English translation, in accordance with current regulations.
Graduation
The postgraduate students, to be awarded with the diploma, must submit to the Secretariat of the MSc Program ESAS certificates from the NTUA Library confirming a) that they have submitted their Postgraduate Diploma Thesis, and b) that they have no outstanding obligations to the library. A summary of the thesis in Greek and English in electronic form is also required.
There are three graduation periods: February, June, and October. Once a year, the Secretariat of the program compiles a list of graduates successfully completing all degree requirements in the previous academic period. These graduates receive their diploma in a formal ceremony organized by the School of Chemical Engineering and coordinated by the Secretariat of the Program.