Aim of the Postgraduate Programme

The principal aim of the Postgraduate Programme "MSc in Medical and Surgical Retina Modern Approaches" is to familiarise young physicians and other health scientists with current knowledge and the new techniques used for the diagnosis, treatment and support of patients with retinal diseases. In addition, it provides specialised knowledge of new therapeutic protocols, the latest data and the trends in research on retinal pathology and surgery. It should be emphasised that it is the only postgraduate programme in the Greek and European academic area that approaches these diseases in a multidisciplinary way (epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, conventional, targeted and personalised therapy, supportive measures, research). This is achieved through the participation of distinguished scientists from all fields of the biomedical sciences, both from Greece and abroad, who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease. The Programme aims to educate and train highly specialised scientists, and to promote knowledge, basic research and research on medical retinal diseases, surgical management and gene therapies. The Programme places emphasis on the search for and evaluation of data and on the promotion of educational and research activities. Graduates of the Programme will be able to:

a) staff ophthalmology clinics and laboratories dealing with medical diseases of the eye (e.g. ocular tumours, ocular microbial infections, etc.) and with surgical procedures of the posterior segment of the eye (cataract surgery and management of complications, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, intraocular lens implantation, scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation, management of retinoschisis);

b) contribute to raising the level of medical knowledge in the field of the retina, with specialised training both in Research Methodology and in the teaching of this subject, with the aim of developing professionals able to take on the role of educators in the future, so that they can teach the subject;

c) work in positions that require knowledge of Retinal Pathology and Surgery.

Objectives of the Postgraduate Programme

A) Training in the modern multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to retinal pathology and surgery, and introduction to current research, with emphasis on emerging cutting-edge technologies.

B) Familiarisation with the specialised field of the posterior segment, which includes retinal pathology and surgery, with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases and with emphasis on future techniques for the diagnosis and management of these diseases.

C) Acquisition of knowledge in Research Methodology and biostatistics, internet searching, searching online libraries, analysis of scientific textbooks and articles and, finally, writing scientific articles, with the ultimate goal of familiarising students with research and with the publication of scientific articles related to the field of the Retina.

D) Familiarisation of students with presenting their work, with a view to their participation in conferences as speakers.

The duration of studies leading to the award of the Programme's Postgraduate Diploma (Master's degree) is set at four (4) semesters.

The following are required for the award of the diploma:

• Passing the examinations of each semester: At the end of each semester, students sit written examinations. There is one examination per semester, covering all the theoretical courses of that semester. Only students who have obtained 80% of the credits of each semester are eligible to sit the examinations.
• Passing the oral examination of the Master's thesis: Once written, the thesis is submitted to the Programme Secretariat. For research theses, the submission must be accompanied by proof of submission for publication to an international (non-Greek) journal. The examination is conducted by a three-member committee appointed on the proposal of the thesis supervisor and approved by the Coordinating Committee. The examination is considered successful if two of the examiners agree. The thesis is awarded the grade "Good", "Very Good" or "Excellent" by majority vote of the examiners.

In addition, the thesis is deposited electronically in the "PERGAMOS" Digital Repository, in accordance with the decisions of the NKUA Senate.