UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
  

The Department of Environment was founded in 1985 with the objective of gathering the various scientific fields related to environmental issues under one roof. The term “environment” is thematically multifaceted and multidimensional, and thus the best approach to environmental questions requires holistic interdisciplinary knowledge.
The scientific framework within which the Department functions is based on the sciences of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Economics, as well as on newer scientific fields such as Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Land planning, Cartography, Sociology and Environmental Education. 

Through their studies, graduates of the Department of Environment acquire knowledge and experience that allows them to deal professionally with subjects such as environmental pollution, the management of ecosystems, management of natural resources, waste management and treatment, renewable energy sources, environmental policy, regional development and environmental education. At the same time, they have the right to carry out land planning and environmental studies, as determined by law. 

After a long process of strict evaluation and radical redevelopment of offered courses, the new undergraduate Pilot Program of Study (PPS) began operating in 2004  – 2005. The revised PPS is characterized by a flexible approach to multifaceted environmental problems, while simultaneously maintaining the original proven interdisciplinary approach. The program permits in-depth study in specific aspects of environmental science but also promotes and strengthens the need for a holistic approach to each environmental question. It includes courses with new modern approaches, such as scientific methodology, interdisciplinary courses, and directed work courses in which students deal with concrete examples of environmental issues.
The PPS consists of two course cycles: The A Cycle (first and second year) is made up of obligatory courses which give students the necessary general background for the continuation of studies. In the B Cycle (third and fourth year), students specialize their studies while maintaining a balanced development. This is achieved via the careful selection of courses by the student in collaboration with the Study Advisor. The courses in the Department of Environment are organised into three groups:

• Environmental Sciences Courses 

• Applied Environmental Sciences and Environmental Technology

• CoursesEnvironmental Management Courses

Degree Requirements
To receive a degree from the Department of Environment, students must successfully complete at least 48 courses (25 compulsory and 23 electives) from the program of study as well as their undergraduate thesis, which is one of the compulsory courses. The students must also complete a total of at least 120 credits. The duration of study cannot be smaller than eight semesters. 

The overall undergraduate program of studies is shown below by semester:
 

Prerequisites courses

The General Assembly of the Department determines the prerequisite courses. For the courses taught by other departments, the determination of the prerequisites comes from the respective department. 
 

Academic Schedule

The academic year runs from September 1 to August 31. Each semester includes 14 complete weeks of class time. The winter semester begins mid September and the spring semester begins in the first fortnight of February. The precise dates are determined by the Senate each academic year.

The winter semester examining period is in January-February and spans three weeks. The spring semester examining period is in June over two weeks. The repeat examining period for the two semesters occurs in September for three weeks.
 

Course Registration  

Students must register for courses at the beginning of the semester by the deadline set by the Department Administration. Students may not register for courses which require prerequisites before those prerequisites are completed. Students can take up to eight (8) courses per semester. It is recommended that students consult their Study Advisor when determining their program of study.
 

Course Timetable

The course timetable is drawn up at the beginning of each semester and is announced to the students by the Department Administration.
 

Degree - Grades  – Graduation

Students in the Department of Environment who successfully complete their program of study are granted a degree. The degree certifies the successful completion of studies of the student and it contains the grade up to two decimal points. The grades are as follows: excellent: 8.50 -10.00, very good: 6.5 - 8.49, and good: 5.00 - 6.49. The degree grade is calculated according to the existing regulations (following), with the condition that the student fulfills the minimal required number of courses and credits, as described above.

In order to receive their degrees, students that have completed their studies are put under oath in the presence of the University Rector and the Department Head. While this graduation ceremony is not a necessary component of the successful completion of studies, it is essential for the issuing of the degree and so the attendance of graduates is obligatory. Graduation ceremonies occur after each examining period, the day and place being fixed by the Rector.

Before the graduation ceremony, students can acquire certification from the Department Administration that all the conditions for the awarding of the degree have been fulfilled.

The degree is signed by the Rector, the Department Head and the Department Administration and is stamped with the seal of the University.

The eligible graduate receives:

A. Two (2) copies of the above degree

B. A (1) copy of the certificate of academic standing 

C. A (1) certificate of grades

A and B are granted at the graduation ceremony. C is granted within a month thereafter. 
 

Calculation of degree grade

The calculation of the degree grade, as set by the Ministerial Decision Φ141/Β3/2166, (ΦΕΚ 308 τ.β. 18. 6.1987), is standard for all the Higher Education Institutions in Greece. The grade of each course is multiplied with the respective course weighing factor. The products of all courses with their respective weighing factors are summed up and then divided with the sum of the corresponding course weighing factors. This quotient is the final grade.

Each course is worth a certain number of credits. One credit corresponds to one lecture hour and one to three hours of laboratory time per week.

The weighing factors range from 1.0 to 2.0 and are calculated as follows:

A course that has one or two credits is assigned a weighing factor of one (1).

Courses that have three or four credits are assigned a weighing factor of one and a half (1.5).

Courses with more than four credits, including the bachelor’s thesis, are assigned a weighing factor of two (2).   

If a student has completed more courses than the minimum course and credit requirements, the student may exclude any of the elective courses for the calculation of the degree grade as long as the minimum number of courses and credits is maintained. 
 

Educational Process

The syllabus of each course is determined by the lecturer. Depending on the course, the syllabus may include lectures, laboratories, applications and educational fieldtrips. 

Each course is examined either at the end of the semester with written or oral examinations or with assigned projects during the semester, or with a combination of the two. In the case of failure, a second examining period exists in September of the same year. 

In the case of failure in an obligatory course, the student must repeat the course in a following semester. In the case of failure in an elective course, the student must either repeat the course in a following semester or replace it with another elective course.  Preparation for final examinations involves the study of the course textbook(s), lecture notes and readings provided by the lecturer. 
 

Study Advisor 

The Study Advisor provides students with the necessary support for coping with the requirements of studying at the University. This support involves the monitoring of particular interests of students so that their scientific and professional specialisation is adapted gradually to their personalities and abilities. The Study Advisor also supports students with personal difficulties or problems that emerge during their studies.

Faculty members may be assigned as Study Advisors (for up to 15 students). For the students in the 1st and 2nd semester of their studies, the Study Advisor is assigned by the General Assembly of the Department. The remainder of the students is free to select their Advisor by submitting a relative statement along with their course registration at the beginning of the winter semester. The Study Advisor must have frequent contact with the students. 

The Study Advisor must:

• Monitor particular interests of students and guide them to suitable areas of studies  

• Assist students in composing their programs of study  

• Provide information and advice to students with professional orientations  

• Provide information and help with postgraduate studies, scholarships and study abroad  

• Provide information and advice regarding participation in seminars, conferences, research programs and off-campus courses

• Facilitate contact between students and academic authorities when judged advisable
   

Seminars - Lectures  – Conferences

Alongside the main program of courses is a program of free seminars that aims to provide opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge in their subjects and to interact with a wider number of Greek and foreign scientists. These seminars are organised with the initiative and responsibility of the teaching staff and may include seminars which supplement course material, project presentations of teaching staff or students, and seminars given by professors of Greek and foreign universities, distinguished scientists and various executives whose experiences are deemed useful for the general education of students. The Seminar Program is announced in the beginning of each semester.

In accordance with the objectives of the University of the Aegean, the Department of Environment hosts conferences on subjects concerning modern methods and technologies for the analysis and management of the environment.
 

Summer Practicum

The Department of Environment of the University of the Aegean runs Summer Practicums (SP) for its students in collaboration with various institutions (private businesses, local government offices, institutes, research centres, environmental organisations etc.). The SP is an optional ninth course offered every summer semester in the undergraduate program of the Department. It may only taken once. Professor K. Skanavi is currently in charge of the program.

Depending on their placements, the students participate in activities such as recording the processes of production and decision-making, participating in analyses, measurements, recordings, data collection and analysis and in all actions involved in the collaboration of the University with the SP program institution. At the end of the practicum, the students submit a report which includes: 

• The type of activities of the institution  

• The subject of the SP and its general importance  

• The methodology used  

• The results  

• The conclusions  

• The bibliography used  

The objective of the program is that all students of the Department of Environment participate in the SP at least once during their studies. The participation of students in this program allows them to better comprehend the real working conditions of environmental organisations and to experience the professional aspect of environmental science. This professional contact gives the students self-confidence and teaches them to apply the scientific knowledge acquired in the University so that they can give realistic solutions to various environmental problems. The program also improves communication between the University and local enterprises and encourages collaboration on an educational and research level. Finally, the enterprises become familiar with the type and level of knowledge that is provided in the Department of Environment, so that they can offer employment to the graduates of the Department.

Each student is supervised by a faculty member and a professional from the practicum placement. The two supervisors cooperate in setting up the work project and provide the student with all the necessary information (bibliography etc.). 

The professional from the practicum placement supervises the student during the SP and provides a performance evaluation with a standardised form. This evaluation concerns mainly the type and duration of employment of the student and is sent to the supervising faculty member. The faculty member assigns the final grade based on both the assessment of the placement supervisor and the student’s report.

SP students receive a monthly stipend.  Travel expenses to and from Mytilene (location of the Department) as well as accident insurance are covered.
 

I.A.E.S.T.E.

The Department of Environment of the University of the Aegean is an active member of the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (I.A.E.S.T.E.) since 1992. This association is an international non-governmental independent organisation that conducts Student Exchange Programs during the summer months, so that students can acquire technical experience. Since 1992 the Department of Environment has participated in exchanges of students with the following countries: Russia, Germany, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Great Britain, Jordan, and Estonia.

Educational Collaboration Programs with European Universities

From its foundation, the Department of Environment has developed long-lasting collaborations with universities of the European Union through the SOCRATES program

The collaborating universities include among others the Université de Paris IV Sorbonne  and the Université de Provence-Aix  from France, the University of Reading, the University of Wales/Swansea and Cardiff, Oxford Brookes, the University of Hertfordshire, the University of Glasgow and the University of Coventry from the UK, TFH Berlin from Germany, the University of Cork from Ireland, the Vrije Universitario di Architettura di Venezia, Politecnico di Torino from Italy and Politecnic de Madrid/Escuela Tecnica Superior di Arquitectura, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, and the E.T.S de las Palmas de Gran Canaria from Spain. These collaborations are based on their supplementary programs of study and are focused on the following thematic units: environmental management and sciences, environment, tourism and geography, environmental planning and urban planning, regional science and land planning.

Each year, 15-20 postgraduate and first-class undergraduates students study for 1 - 2 semesters in European universities, while a corresponding number of European students studies in Mytilene. Their studies, which count as part of their degree program, include participation in courses, seminars and supervised work in selected topics.

Educational Fieldtrips and Visits

In order to achieve course objectives, various educational fieldtrips and visits are programmed to natural and manmade ecosystems, protected regions, environmental organisations, industries, small enterprises, public services and other institutions related to environmental management. The goal of these visits is the integration of theoretical knowledge and the particular practices and needs in the environment sector. Among these trips are the two multi-day fieldtrips in other regions of Greece programmed each year:

• The Educational Fieldtrip of the Ecosystem Management Sector familiarizes students with natural and rural ecosystems, the flora and fauna of Greece as well as public and non - governmental institutions involved with the preservation of the natural environment and the primary sector of production (agriculture, livestock-farming, sylviculture).  

• The Educational Fieldtrip of Environmental Engineering Sector includes visits to large industries related with environmental issues  (sewage treatment, treatment of potable water, sanitary waste disposal areas etc.).