• Duration of Undergraduate studies: five (5) academic years, each divided into two semesters.
• Duration of a semester: typically 13 weeks.
• Total number of semesters: ten (10).
• 'Winter' semesters: five (5) in total; 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th.
• 'Spring' semesters: five (5) in total; 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th.

A course is usually composed of a three-hour background theory and two-hour laboratory exercises or tutorials per week, usually not exceeding a total of 32h per week. The number of courses a student can attend each semester, may not exceed the number of courses defined by the curriculum plus three.
Eligibility to the 5-year degree requires the full participation of a student to the educational process structured by the sequence of curriculum courses. However, a student may extend the total period of study (or delay graduation) by selecting fewer courses than those recommended by curriculum each semester. Attendance of laboratory exercises and tutorials is compulsory; absences cannot exceed 1/5 of the total number of course –guided laboratory exercises or tutorials. Student enrollment in each semester, conducted either electronically or through the Secretariat of the Department, is obligatory. During enrolment, it is required from students to declare which of the ‘selectable’ courses wish to follow each semester. The registration period for the ‘winter’ semester is usually 1 September - 15 October, whereas that for the ‘spring’ semester is 10 - 25 January. Exact dates are promptly announced by the University.

Educational trips, organized by the Department, are part of the training process and are, thus, obligatory. The trips are approved by the Senate, following the proposals of the Department, and take place typically after the end of ‘spring’ semester teaching classes and prior to the June examination period. In exceptional circumstances, educational trips can also be scheduled on particular dates to meet special educational purposes. The cost of the student trip is covered in part by the University.

Three examination periods: January - February, June and September. Exams are conducted after the end of each semester in all taught courses. To take the exams students should have previously filled-in an ‘exam entry form’ (either electronically or through the Secretariat office). Students must indicate the n + 3 exams they intend to participate (n is the number of current semester courses and 3 the courses from previous semesters).
In the September exam period, students may participate in all course exams (theory and laboratory classes) of the last two semesters and, furthermore, up to six theory course exams and six laboratory class exams, from previous semesters. According to the number of successfully concluded theory and laboratory exams, students can take exams for up to twelve theory courses and twelve laboratory classes from previous semesters.
Provisions only for 10th semester and ‘on degree’ students:

• ‘January - February’ examination period: students can participate in all theory course exams and lab class exams of the ‘winter’ semester and additionally in 12 courses (theory and lab class) of the ‘spring’ semester.
• ‘June’ examination period: students can participate in all theory course exams and lab class exams of the ‘spring’ semester and additionally in 12 classes (theory and lab class) of the ‘winter’ semesters.

'September’ examination period: students can sit for exams of all courses (theory and lab class) of the ‘spring’ and the ‘winter’ semester. The theory course exams and the corresponding lab class exams and tutorials are independently treated and the student's performance is evaluated separately. The final grade indicates the average performance in theory and in laboratory or tutorial exams. The grade range falls within 0-10, with ‘five’ (5) as the passing mark.

The ‘Diploma Dissertation’ is an obligatory work required by each student and it should be submitted in electronic format for evaluation by the ‘Advisory and Examining Committee’. The ‘Diploma Dissertation’ can be based on (a) research activity pertaining to experimental laboratory or field work, as part of a research project given by the AUA or other institutions, (2) a technical and agro-economical study on Greek agriculture issues and (3) an in-depth literature review, falling within the Department's undergraduate curriculum.
Primarily the student seeks for and applies to a ‘Diploma Dissertation’ position to any one of the Department of Biotechnology laboratories. Alternatively, the student may apply for a position to other laboratories of the University. The subject of the study, the ‘Supervisor’ and the three-membered ‘Advisory and Examining Committee’ are assigned and approved by the Department General Assembly.
The topic of the ‘Diploma Dissertation’ is assigned to the student once he/she has successfully completed all course exams (theory and laboratory classes) of the first eight semesters. An exception is reserved for students that have failed to a maximum of three courses after accomplishing eight semesters.
‘Diploma Dissertation’ examination takes place in public and not before the student has successfully completed all course exams (theory and laboratory classes) of the curriculum. Examination date and time are set by the ‘Advisory and Examining Committee’, chaired by the ‘Supervisor’, at their discretion. During the examination the student presents his/her work and responds to questions or any issues raised by the committee members. Each member scores the student’s performance separately, the final grade for the ‘Diploma Dissertation’ being the average score of the examiners. The ‘Diploma Dissertation’ is graded successful if the final score is not less than five (5) and at least two examiners have given scores not less than five (5). In case of failure, the student should take a second exam, after correcting the thesis in accordance with the committee suggestions. In case of yet another failure, the student is then obliged to embark in a new ‘Diploma Dissertation’ effort in the same or in a different subject.

The diploma (‘ptichion’) final grade, after having successfully completed the five-year undergraduate curriculum, results as the average of two grades: four fifths (4/5) of all course grades and one fifth (1/5) of the final year ‘Diploma Dissertation’. The student's performance is regarded as one of ‘Distinction’ (grades 9 and 10), ‘Very Good’ (grades 7 and 8) and ‘Pass’ (grades 5 and 6).

A public ceremony of Oath Taking and Degree Awarding is held for those students having fulfilled all their obligations of the curriculum followed (i.e. course examinations, practical training and diploma dissertation). The ceremony takes place in the Hall of Ceremonies of the University. Oath taking is followed by degree awarding by theUniversity Rector and the Chairman of the Department.

‘Practical training’ aims to introduce students to the biotechnology science and/or related agronomy and business-oriented subjects. To endow students with hands-on experience and know-how , training is held in the University laboratories, in relevant State research laboratories, in agricultural, bio-technology or related companies of scientifically competent activities and potential.

- Duration: four (4) months.
- Implementation periods: summer holidays (i.e. July through to the end of September).
- Eligible students: those following semesters 6th, 8th and 10th.

‘Practical training’ is the Department’s responsibility with regard to training sites and student allocation to them according to expressed interests.

Part of the training (up to two months) may take place during the 10th semester. The decision is taken by the Department General Assembly at the request of the student and by the set criteria. Students who have completed the 10th semester but have not started their ‘practical training’ they can take it throughout the year.

At the end of each ‘two-month’ ‘practical training’ period the student is required to submit to the ‘Office of Practical Training Certification’, a ‘Calendar Report’ signed by the person in charge of the training place and also a ‘Task Report’ describing the experiences and knowledge acquired. The Calendar and Task Reports are assessed by the supervising scientific advisor. If ‘practical training’ is ranked unsatisfactory, then the student is obliged to retake it accordingly, without additional financial support by the University.

The Department of Biotechnology of the School of Applied Biology & Biotechnology of the Agricultural University of Athens operates the Postgraduate Programme of Studies (MSc) entitled "Systems Biology".

The objective of the MSc "Systems Biology" is the specialization of graduates in cutting-edge topics of biological science. In addition, the MSc "Systems Biology" aims to familiarize students with a) holistic approaches to biological systems, b) network modelling at gene; protein; functional level, c) bioinformatics and its use in synthetic biology and biotechnology. The programme is complementary to the undergraduate studies offered by the Department of Biotechnology. The MSc offers specialisation, which will meet real and substantial needs and contribute to the upgrading of the Greek educational system. The training in the above mentioned thematic areas of Systems Biology includes the precise formulation of research questions and hypotheses, the development of a research design and research scientific techniques and methodologies, the process of data collection as well as their quantitative and qualitative processing. Finally, it aims at the synthetic processing of biological data through bioinformatics in order to achieve a deeper and more complete knowledge of individual biological processes and systems and biotechnological applications.

Graduates of the Faculties of the Agricultural University of Athens, the Faculties of Science, Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences of universities in Greece and similar recognized institutions abroad, as well as graduates of TEI Departments of related subjects are admitted to the MSc. The maximum number of students admitted to the MSc is set at twenty (20) postgraduate students per year.

The Programme of Studies is characterised as an intensive one (1) year programme (two semesters and summer period) and awards a Master's Degree in Systems Biology.

The website for the program is  http://systems.aua.gr/

The aim of the Career Services Office is to:

• Provide support to AUA students and graduates on Agriculture education & training and Agriculture career opportunities.
• Network the AUA with companies/organizations of the agricultural sector, supporting graduates on their job search.
• Promote the AUA Departments and Degrees in the labor market and provide high school students with information on agricultural studies offered by the AUA.
• Carry out case studies regarding AUA graduates’ employability and the current situation in the labor market within the agricultural sector.
• Undertake the publication and distribution of information booklets, and the organization of seminars and workshops on career issues.
• Organize the “Career Days”, offering job opportunities for AUA graduates through interviews conducted by companies/organizations in the agricultural sector.
• Organize individual or team counseling to students with learning difficulties/disabilities

To this purpose, the specialized experienced staff members of the Career Services Office provide continuous up to date information and guidance on:

• Postgraduate studies in Greece and abroad.
• Scholarships/grants and financial endowments.
• Entrepreneurship programs and funds.
• Events and seminars on agriculture topics.
• Agriculturalist professional rights and labor market trends.
• Companies, unions and organizations within the agricultural field.
• Job vacancies both in the private and the public sector.
• CV and cover letter writing, job interview process, and filling out applications for postgraduate studies or job positions.

The Career Services Office  has been established since March 1997, co-financed initially by the Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training,  2^nd and 3^rd Community Structural Funds, and later by the European Structural and Investment Funds of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs.

In general, the Career Services Offices are addressed to students, graduates, research, teaching and scientific staff of Academic Institutions, production and employment bodies from the labor market, as well as high school students, parents and career counselors from Secondary Education.

Staff

Tsourou Virginia, Tel.: 210-529 4817, fax: 210-529 4884,

webpage: www.career.aua.gr

e-mail: career@aua.gr