Official Website of the Master’s Program: https://hssqe.chem.duth.gr/

History

Since the academic year 2022–2023, the Department of Chemistry at the Democritus University of Thrace has been organizing and operating a Postgraduate Program in “Chemical Industry: Quality, Safety, Security, Health and Environmental Management” (MSc in “Quality, Safety, Security, Health and Environmental Management ), in accordance with the provisions of this decision and Law 4485/2017 (Government Gazette A’ 114).

Scope – Aim of the MSc Program

This interdisciplinary and intersectoral MSc program aims to offer high-level postgraduate education and promote knowledge and research in the scientific domains of Quality, Environmental, Health, Safety, and Protection Management. It seeks to equip future professionals with comprehensive scientific, managerial, and technical training to assume the role of HSSQE Manager—a highly demanding and widespread position across all sectors of economic activity, especially in the chemical industry.

The program provides both theoretical specialization and laboratory training in managing the main support functions of enterprises, namely: Quality Assurance, Environmental Policy, Occupational Health and Safety, and Protection against intentional acts (Security) and natural disasters, as well as Process Safety and Major Accident Hazard prevention, particularly relevant to the chemical industry. The applications of Chemistry to these domains are explicitly included in the program’s knowledge base.

These functions are aligned with the core industrial Standards—namely the ISO 9000, 14000, and 45000 families, which are unified under the “High-Level Structure (HLS)” of ISO standards. They are also directly linked to Enterprise Risk Management frameworks such as ISO 31000:2018, COSO ERM, and IRGC.

A key part of the curriculum involves the in-depth understanding of both scientific and technical principles, as well as the regulatory frameworks, alongside an integrated approach to the knowledge areas of Health & Safety (HS), Security (S), Quality (Q), and Environment (E).

The Program’s Key Objectives are:

  • The advancement of scientific knowledge, research, and technology.
  • The fulfilment of educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs in the support functions of industrial processes across all sectors.
  • The training of high-level scientists capable of contributing both theoretically and practically to the above-mentioned fields and to the interdisciplinary specializations related to Chemistry.
  • The creation and dissemination of new knowledge, methodologies, and research results in these emerging fields.

This MSc is unique and innovative, offering an integrative approach that responds to the increasing demand in the labor market for highly qualified professionals. Students are trained in a holistic manner to manage Quality, Environment, Health & Safety issues, beginning with scientific analysis and expanding into organizational and managerial perspectives.

Graduates Will Be Equipped To:

  • Work in the chemical industry, in both public and private sectors, and in international organizations active in the converging domains of Quality, Environment, Health and Safety.
  • Strengthen the link between research and production units, through the development of specialized human resources and technology transfer.

Specific Goals of the MSc Program:

  • Deliver high-quality postgraduate education in the emerging field of HSSQE.
  • Develop professionals able to contribute to occupational health and safety, infrastructure protection, quality assurance, and environmental management.
  • Train capable scientists with deep knowledge of standards, risk management methodologies, and sustainability practices.
  • Prepare graduates for doctoral studies and lifelong learning by equipping them with critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving competencies.

Postgraduate Diploma Awarded

The program awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) in “Quality, Safety, Security, Health and Environmental Management”.

Eligible Candidates

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from Greek Higher Education Institutions or equivalent recognized institutions abroad. Eligible degrees include those from Sciences, Health, Geotechnical Sciences, Engineering, Law, Political Science and Public Administration, or other relevant fields. Graduates of National School of Public Administration, Military Academies, and Fire and Civil Protection Schools may also apply.

Final-year students may apply provided they complete their undergraduate studies before registration.

Evaluation criteria include degree grade, relevance of previous studies, professional experience, research activity, additional degrees, recommendation letters, and foreign language skills.

MSc Duration

The MSc program lasts three semesters and totals 90 ECTS credits. Students are required to:

  • Complete 12 compulsory courses (6 per semester).
  • Participate in seminars, labs, and field exercises (non-credit-bearing),
  • Submit a Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS).

Teaching and thesis writing can be conducted in Greek and/or English.

Courses Include:

  • Laboratory components in courses such as:
    • XE9: Environmental Pollution Chemistry and Control
    • XE10: Quality Management, Chemometrics, and Metrology

Number of Admissions

Up to 80 students are admitted annually. Members of teaching/research staff (ΕΕΠ, ΕΔΙΠ, ΕΤΕΠ) may enroll as supernumerary students under specific legal conditions.

Teaching Staff

The program is taught by distinguished Professors from Greek and international universities, doctoral researchers, and high-level professionals from public bodies, independent authorities, and the private sector. All instructors possess advanced academic credentials and rich experience in Health & Safety, Security, Quality, Environment, and Logistics, contributing cutting-edge insights from internationally advanced settings.