Postgraduate Program “Food Packaging Materials”

Inter-Institutional Postgraduate Studies Program «Food Packaging Materials» offered by the Department of Food Science & Technology, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Patras and the Department of Materials Science & Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Ioannina

Study Guide

Object – Aim

The Inter-Institutional Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” aims to enable holders of the relevant Postgraduate Diploma to acquire specialized knowledge in the field of food packaging materials. This will be achieved through the provision of specialized knowledge in Materials Technology and Food Technology. The educational content of the program will reflect its relevance and contribution to the development of the local and national economy. The framework of this curriculum promotes an integrated approach to education, focusing not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on the development of practical skills and on the enhancement of students’ critical thinking and analytical abilities.

This specific Postgraduate Studies Program has the following objectives:

• To meet the needs of candidates who wish to specialize their knowledge in the field of food packaging materials development.
• To provide a curriculum that will offer modern and high-value content using the most up-to-date methods and tools for the synthesis and characterization of Food Packaging Materials.
• To contribute to the education and development of specialized and competent postgraduate level scientists who will be able to meet the modern demands of the food industry.

The subject area that the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” addresses is Food Packaging Materials.

In this way, the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” will constitute an essential tool for the development of students at a professional level and the achievement of successful careers in the competitive sector of the Food Industry.

The duration leading to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma is set at three (3) academic semesters, which also includes the time for the preparation and assessment of the Postgraduate Thesis. The maximum duration of study cannot exceed twice the expected normal duration of study. Therefore, the maximum duration of study is six (6) academic semesters. For part-time postgraduate students, the duration of study is set at a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) academic semesters.

The Postgraduate Studies Program in “Food Packaging Materials” after full and successful completion of the Curriculum leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in “Food Packaging Materials”.

The title will be joint, awarded by the Department of Food Science & Technology of the School of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Patras in collaboration with the Department of Materials Science & Engineering of the School of Engineering of the University of Ioannina.

Educational Structure of the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials”

Duration of Studies

The duration of study at the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” is set at three (3) academic semesters, which also includes the time for preparing the mandatory postgraduate thesis.

Courses – Curriculum

The minimum teaching hours per course are set at 39 teaching hours and concern the mandatory courses of each study program and are related to the regulation that each semester includes at least thirteen (13) full weeks of teaching.

The courses of the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” begin in the winter semester of each academic year and follow the academic calendar of the University of Patras. In case of inability to start in the winter semester, the start of the courses may be transferred to the spring semester, by decision of the Curriculum Committee. To obtain the Postgraduate Diploma in “Food Packaging Materials”, a total of ninety (90) credit units (ECTS) are required. During the studies, postgraduate students are required to: a) attend and successfully pass postgraduate courses, b) attend seminars and c) write a mandatory postgraduate thesis. For the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in “Food Packaging Materials”, successful attendance of ten (10) courses and the writing of a mandatory postgraduate thesis are required. During the first semester of studies, students attend the five (5) compulsory courses of the specific semester. During the second semester of studies, students attend the three (3) compulsory courses of the specific semester, while they must choose and attend two (2) elective courses from the five (5) elective courses offered in the specific semester. During the third semester of studies, students prepare their compulsory postgraduate thesis, which they can undertake if they have successfully passed six of the ten courses of the first two semesters.

The theoretical part of the courses is taught using the “modern distance learning” method in accordance with article 80 par. 3 n of law 4957/2022. Distance learning will be carried out through a special electronic education platform using University identification codes and will be supported by the existing infrastructure of the Department of Food Science & Technology. The laboratory part of the courses will be taught in person, specifically two three-day sessions each semester. In the first three-day session, students will practice in person in as many laboratory exercises as required by the courses taught at the Department of Food Science & Technology of the University of Patras and in the second three-day session, students will practice in person in as many laboratory exercises as required by the courses taught at the Department of Materials Science & Engineering of the University of Ioannina.

The language of instruction of the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” is defined as Greek.

The language of writing the postgraduate thesis is Greek, but the possibility of writing it in English is provided.

Detailed course schedule per semester 

1st Semester                     

Total ECTS of 1^st Semester: 30 ECTS

2^nd Semester

 Total ECTS of 2^nd Semester: 30 ECTS

Elective Courses of 2^nd Semester

3^rd Semester

 Total ECTS of 3^rd Semester: 30 ECTS

To meet the educational needs of the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials”, categories of teaching staff will be employed in accordance with article 83 of Law 4957/2022 (A’ 141), as in force.

The teaching staff has been trained and informed about the technologies and platforms used for distance learning and can exploit the potential of these tools to provide quality educational materials, organize interactive lectures and conduct educational activities. In addition, the teaching staff has experience in distance teaching and can successfully manage two-way communication with students, provide assessment and feedback and support the active participation of students in the learning process. The adaptation and flexibility of the teaching staff to the requirements of distance learning ensures the effectiveness and quality of the Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials”.

The Postgraduate Studies Program “Food Packaging Materials” is a distance learning program and, therefore, does not provide services to students, such as meals, student dormitories, etc.

Επισυναπτόμενα:

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Οδηγός Σπουδών ΔΠΜΣ
Εσωτερικός κανονισμός λειτουργίας
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Κανονισμός διαχείρισης παραπόνων
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