Master’s Degree in Occupational Health

General Objectives of the Course

This cycle of studies has, as main general objectives, to promote the acquisition of specialized scientific and technical training in the different areas of Occupational Health, providing the students (with distinct previous specific backgrounds) with a high common academic reference and allowing their differentiation and qualification for future interventions of technical and scientific nature in this field, namely integrating multidisciplinary teams and acquiring knowledge, methodologies and strategies that allow them to solve problems in real occupational settings.
These objectives are common to the National Health Plan, National Occupational Health Plan and National Strategy for Occupational Health and Safety, promoting the value of health and quality of life at work, supporting the identification and control of the main occupational risks and stimulating the development of safe and healthy work environments.

Admission Requirements

a) Students holding a graduate degree, master or legal equivalent in Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, Engineering, Health Technologies, Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health, Occupational Safety. Exceptionally, after consideration by the scientific body of the higher education school, candidates from other areas may be admitted.
b) Students holding a 1st cycle graduate degree structured according to the principles stipulated in the Bologna process, obtained in a country that signed the Bologna Declaration.
c) Students holding a foreign graduate degree, which meets the standards, as set by the relevant scientific body of the higher education school in which they want to enrol.
d) Students with an educational, scientific or professional curriculum, attesting to their capacity to complete this study cycle, as set by the relevant scientific body of the higher education school in which they want to enrol.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The holders of the Masters in Occupational Health have a solid training in the area of Health, Hygiene and Safety at Work, which enables them to quickly integrate specialised activities in this field, as well as integrate multidisciplinary teams in different sectors of work. Depending on the previous background (Health, Engineering, Occupational Safety, Psychology, Ergonomics, Technologies) they are able to perform better in the diverse aspects of Occupational Health. They may also develop and / or integrate research projects or pursue an academic pathway in the area of teaching, as well as present future applications for doctoral programs.

Mode of Study

Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever assessment includes more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according to a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

- Acquire a comprehensive scientific knowledge in multiple areas of Occupational Health (applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ergonomics and Physiology, Toxicology, Occupational Pathology, Occupational Health and Safety, Legislation, Occupational Psychology, Environmental Engineering, Organizational and Administrative aspects);
- Identify and prioritize the main risk factors in the occupational environment and propose and implement strategies, projects and programs for their elimination or significant reduction;
- To disseminate and promote high quality scientific knowledge in this area;
- Understand and interpret correctly the European and national legislation;
- Understand the role and attributions of the various Institutions with responsibilities in the area of Occupational Health;
- Develop skills and competences for teaching and training in Occupational Health;
- To carry out and / or collaborate in research projects of national or international scope in the area of Occupational Health, contributing to its development at the highest level.

Course Coordinator(s)

António Jorge Correia Gouveia Ferreira
uc15954@uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ricardo José David Costa Vieira
ricardo.vieira@portugalmail.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law nr 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording

Graduation Requirements

Within the scientific areas, students should select academic disciplines corresponding to 30 ECTS in each semester and make a total of 60 ECTS (two academic semesters) out of 75 ECTS (which should grant them the right to a Specialization Course).With the dissertation/project/internship (two other academic semesters) they will get a total of 120 ECTS and obtain the Master’s degree.

Access to Further Studies

Master's graduates in Occupational Health have increased competences for applying to a PhD programme.

Study Programme

Master's Degree in Occupational Health

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: 6654

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2022-07-31 a 2028-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Ef 1676/2011/AL01; 2018-08-01