The Department offers the Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) titled “Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture”. This PSP started in the year 2016-17 in the Department of Fisheries Technology – Aquaculture of the TEI of Western Greece. In 2018 a revision of the program was cleared by the Ministry of Education.
The objective of the PSP is to provide postgraduate level education to Life Science with a view to let them achieve a strong scientific background and to expand their experience and know-how on the sustainable production of aquatic organisms while emphasizing on the protection of the environment.
This general topic comprises the search and provision of scientifically sound knowledge concerning sustainable production, the research for the advancement of theoretical knowledge and the development of innovative technological applications. Apart from the techniques of production, the emphasis is on the environmental aspects. The particular subjects covered in the PSP refer to the aquatic ecosystems, the organisms under commercial exploitation, the production systems, the current trends with environment-friendly technologies and to other methodologies for the scientific treatment of the topic.
The PSP has been in operation for three years and is the result of a collective effort by the Departmental Staff members as well as by invited lecturers and professionals from the industry who have contributed in the relevant educational activities.
During the current Academic year (2019-2020) the Director of the PSP is Professor J. Cladas by resolution of our General Assembly.
Aims
The final goal of the program is to offer the fisheries and aquaculture community expert personnel with awareness, perception and skills that satisfactorily meet the modern challenges in the aquatic living resources production within the greater framework of sustainable development strategies.
The specific aims of the program are the following:
- Knowledge and understanding of the principles of aquaculture and of the diversity of the cultured species including the most recent trends in production.
- Understanding and critical appraisal of the development of sustainable techniques for aquatic organism’s production.
- Capability development for critical appraisal of novel production systems with respect to their socio-economic, technical and environmental aspects.
- Capability development for searching and assessing the available information on particular subjects and for synthesis of multi-sourced information.
- Capability development for research planning and analyzing research data utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Ultimate formation of scientists destined for the aquatic living resources industry with skills and knowledge suitable for a career in either the private or the public sector.
- Preparation for doctoral level studies.
Organization
The PSP “Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture” has a duration of three (3) semesters comprising a total of 90 ECTS units, 30 of which correspond to Graduation Thesis. Upon successful completion of studies, the relevant Postgraduate Diploma is awarded. The normal duration of studies is 18 full month, inclusive of the Thesis, and the maximum is 24 months.
Candidates are required to hold a first cycle Diploma from a Higher Education Institution, in Greece or abroad, on the Geotechnical, Polytechnic, and Environmental Science, Exact Sciences, Economic Sciences or other disciplines; foreign HEI Diplomas need to be recognized internationally as such and equivalent to corresponding Greek ones.
The number of students is set at fifteen (15) per year, plus one (1) holding a Greek Public scholarship after the relevant official contest, plus one (1) foreigner holding a State scholarship from Greece.
The candidates submit an application to take part in the selection procedure; undergraduate students may also apply if they have a reasonable chance of completing their studies by the time of the final selection. The candidates are evaluated by the relevant Committee who, after checking their formal requirements, will proceed with individual interviews before compiling the evaluation table which is done according to the following criteria:
- (a) Undergraduate Degree mark (30% of total),
- (b) Undergraduate course units of specific interest for the particular PSP (20%),
- (c) Additional Degrees, scientific Publications and other Academic credentials, if any (10%),
- (d) Possible professional experience (10%), and
- (e) Performance during the oral interview (30%).
The courses treat in-depth matters about fisheries and aquaculture production, in all its dimensions, as well as processing of fishery produce, while focusing on modern production systems, environment-friendly technologies, environmental management of ecosystems, fisheries and aquaculture; biostatistics and data processing are also included. Furthermore, assignments for written essays are given so as the students to become acquainted with current research trends on the topic of the PSP. During the Thesis preparation the students are also trained in bibliography reviewing and in research methodology following which they are individually occupied with particular theoretical or experimental research projects which should lead to the final Dissertation been written up and, finally, been defended publicly in front of a three-member examining committee.
Successful completion of the postgraduate studies and graduation with the corresponding Diploma of Specialization requires the students must study and pass ten (10) obligatory course units, four (4) in the first and six (6) in the second semester, and also to prepare the Thesis and pass the Thesis exam (in the third semester).
Curriculum of Postgraduate studies
