Postgraduate Programmes of Studies

Postgraduate Programmes of Studies

The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics offers its graduates the opportunity to continue their studies at the postgraduate level leading to the award of a Master’s Degree (MSc). Graduates are also given the opportunity to pursue further studies towards the completion of a doctoral dissertation and the award of a Doctoral Degree (PhD)

At present, it offers three recognized and distinct Postgraduate Programmes of Studies (PPS): “Mathematics and Its Applications”, “Applied and Computational Mathematics”, and “Mathematics and Education.” It also participates in the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programme of Studies “Optics and Vision in collaboration with the School of Medicine and the Department of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete, as well as in the Inter-institutional Postgraduate Programme of Studies “Data Analysis and Statistical Machine Learning in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science of the University of Crete and the Institutes of Computational Mathematics and Informatics of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH).

“Applied and Computational Mathematics” (GG B 3470/31-01-2013)

The Postgraduate Programme of Studies (PPS) focuses on Applied and Computational Mathematics. The aim of the Programme is to provide specialization in areas of Applied and Computational Mathematics, so that holders of the awarded Master’s Degree (MSc) acquire enhanced qualifications in their respective fields of specialization, while also contributing to the development of research-oriented scientists capable of advancing research, technology, and higher education in the field of Applied and Computational Mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics operates in close collaboration with the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) and other recognized Research Centers. Postgraduate students of the Programme may participate in research projects of FORTH and other recognized Research Centers, with the aim of receiving training in specialized topics and conducting research work related to the preparation of a master’s thesis.

The Postgraduate Programme of Studies awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Applied and Computational Mathematics, with the following specializations:

  1. Scientific Computing
  2. Modelling and Analysis in Science and Technology
  3. Statistics and Stochastic Analysis

The Programme admits graduates of Departments of Schools of Natural Sciences, Engineering Schools, and Schools of Economics of Greek universities, as well as graduates of equivalent and recognized institutions abroad, in addition to graduates of other University Departments and Technological Educational Institutes (TEI) in related fields. The duration of studies for the award of the Master’s Degree is defined as four (4) academic semesters.

To obtain the Master’s Degree, students are required to attend and successfully complete at least six (6) courses and to prepare a master’s thesis in their area of specialization, which carries 40 ECTS credits. Alternatively, instead of preparing a master’s thesis, students may attend and successfully complete additional courses corresponding to a total of 40 ECTS credits. Students may also be assigned auxiliary teaching duties (Teaching Assistant, TA), which are credited with 2 ECTS credits per semester-long course, for up to two teaching semesters.

The curriculum consists of Core (or Compulsory) Courses as well as Elective Courses. In each specialization, students are required to successfully complete at least four core specialization courses. In addition to postgraduate courses, PPS students may, as part of their studies, participate in Thematic Activities (TA), fulfilling the corresponding requirements, as specified in the Programme Regulations.

The model curriculum, the list of core specialization and research specialization courses, as well as an indicative list of thematic activities, are specified in Government Gazette (GG) B 1498/02-05-2018, concerning the re-establishment of the Programme.

“Mathematics and Education” (GG B 1524/04-05-2018)

The Postgraduate Programme of Studies (PPS) focuses on Mathematics and Education. Its aim is to promote knowledge in areas of Mathematics related to Education—primarily secondary education—as well as in the Didactics of Mathematics. Holders of the awarded Master’s Degree (MSc) are expected to have a high level of training in Mathematics Education and the Didactics of Mathematics, enabling them, on the one hand, to continue their studies towards the completion of a doctoral dissertation and, on the other hand, to pursue employment as professionals in education, educational organizations, public services, private enterprises, and other organizations.

The Programme admits graduates of Departments of Schools of Natural Sciences, Engineering Schools, and Schools of Education of Greek universities, as well as graduates of equivalent and recognized institutions abroad, in addition to graduates of other University Departments and Technological Educational Institutes (TEI) in related fields. The duration of studies for the award of the Master’s Degree is defined as two (2) academic semesters.

To obtain the Master’s Degree, students are required to attend and successfully complete at least six (6) courses, or at least five (5) courses and prepare a master’s thesis. The curriculum consists of Core Courses as well as Free Elective Courses. Students are required to successfully complete at least four Core Courses.

The model curriculum, the list of core courses and elective courses, are specified in Government Gazette (GG) B 1524/04-05-2018, concerning the establishment of the Programme.

Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programme of Studies “Optics and Vision” (GG B 2588/03-07-2018)

The School of Medicine and the Departments of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete collaborate in the organization and operation of the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programme of Studies “Optics and Vision.” The Programme operates in close collaboration with the Institute of Computational Mathematics (ICM) and the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), as well as with the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University General Hospital of Heraklion.

The Programme focuses on the study of optics and vision and aims to enrich students’ knowledge in the following areas:

  • physiological optics,
  • anatomy and physiology of vision and the visual pathways,
  • advanced optics and materials technology,
  • applications of mathematics in the field of optics and vision,
  • applications of physics in the field of optics and vision, and biostatistics.

The objective of the Programme is to equip students with the ability to address contemporary problems related to the human visual system and its diseases. Through the Programme, the training of highly qualified professionals is expected, capable of pursuing careers in hospitals, medical centers, private companies involved in the design, development, or maintenance of devices in the fields of vision sciences, as well as in Universities and Research Centers as scientific, technical, and research staff.

Inter-institutional Postgraduate Programme of Studies “Data Analysis and Machine Statistical Learning” (GG B 4799/12-09-2022)

The Departments of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Crete, together with the Institute of Computational Mathematics (ICM) and the Institute of Computer Science (ICS) of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), organize and operate the Inter-institutional Postgraduate Programme of Studies (IPPS) “Data Analysis and Statistical Machine Learning.”

The aim of the proposed Postgraduate Programme of Studies is to provide high-level education in Data Analysis and Statistical Machine Learning, as well as to strengthen basic and applied scientific research through the preparation of master’s theses and research projects. The main objective of the Programme is to train graduates—primarily from science and technology disciplines—in the areas of data analysis and machine learning. Students of the Programme will be trained both in the mathematical foundations of data science and in its computational aspects. In addition, they will have the opportunity to actively participate either in research projects conducted by the Programme’s faculty members or in projects carried out in collaboration with public- or private-sector organizations and companies.

The Programme admits graduates of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Greece or of equivalent and recognized institutions abroad who wish to obtain a Master’s Degree (MSc) in the subject area of the Programme. The Programme is addressed to both Greek and international students. Knowledge of the Greek language is not required for successful attendance.

To obtain the Master’s Degree, students must accumulate at least 90 ECTS credits (1 credit corresponding to 1 unit under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System – ECTS), of which:
(a) at least 70 ECTS credits must be earned through the successful completion of courses, series of specialized lectures, and corresponding coursework; and
(b) 20 ECTS credits must be earned through the preparation of a master’s thesis (Master project).

The model curriculum, as well as the list of core courses and elective courses, are specified in Government Gazette (GG) B 4799/12-09-2022, concerning the establishment of the Programme.