Teaching Animal Science in Greece. Prof. George Zervas Agricultural University of Athens Dept. of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding

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1 Teaching Animal Science in Greece Prof. George Zervas Agricultural University of Athens Dept. of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding

2 Courses on Animal Science are offered by: the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) the University of Thessaly (Aquaculture) the Demokritio University (Agriculture) and by 4 Technological Institutions (TEI) of lower academic level (Thessaloniki, Larissa, Florina and Arta)

3 AUA and AUTH offer a five years course specialized on Animal Science The first four semesters are devoted to compulsory science courses (mathematics, statistics, chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, etc). The next two semesters basic to agricultural courses (agronomy, ecology, plant pathology, crop production, viticulture etc).

4 The next 3 semesters to specialized courses (animal physiology, genetics, breeding, nutrition, reproduction, management, health, welfare, animal behaviour, animal housing, products quality, economics-marketing, etc). The final semester is devoted to carry out a special project and prepare a dissertation (experimental work or bibliographical review). A four months practical training is also included in the whole curriculum.

5 The mission of Animal Science Course is to create well-qualified scientists who are capable to contribute significantly to the development of the livestock industry in Greece, by staffing both: the wider Public and the Private Sector (cooperatives, commercial animal and fish farms, feed mills, etc).

6 Further to education, the objectives include the advancement of basic and applied research for the development of know-how and technology that contributes to the profitability and competitiveness of the livestock and aquaculture industry and the quality of animal products with respect to environment and to animal welfare at the same time.

7 The Animal Science Faculties or Departments are part of public Universities, as the other European ones, serving the common good, therefore assert a grand aim: to support, for the benefit of all, the continued development of the culture, society, technology and economy of Greece and Europe.

8 As dynamic institutions, Universities promote excellence and innovation by teaching, research and knowledge transfer and thus contribute crucially to the evolution of the whole society.

9 Post graduate Courses Two MSci courses (of twelve months duration with fees) a. Livestock Farming Systems specialized on Products quality of animal origin, on Farm animals reproduction management and on Feedstuffs technology and Feeding. b. Aquaculture.

10 A joint MSc course (Faculty of Animal Sciences and Aquaculture with the Dept. of Dairy Sciences and Technology) on Integrated Management of milk production and dairy products (twelve months course with fees)

11 The Faculties, and the University as a whole, according to the Greek and European legislation are evaluated by an international Committee every four years. There is, also, an internal annual evaluation process on teaching, academic stuff, research etc.

12 The last evaluation was two years ago with the following main comments: The teaching program and the research activity of the academic stuff are regarded as satisfactory. However, the program includes too many subjects (around 66) leaving limited space for subjects more specialized on animal science and aquaculture.

13 The whole curriculum should be focused more in Animal Sciences with expansion at the same time on Aquaculture. The curriculum should include less compulsory subjects and more elective ones. The students should get more practical training and experience.

14 Last year the Agricultural University of Athens was focused by law to change his structure, and accordingly will modify the Faculties or Depts curricula. Thus, each Dept. has started adapting its curriculum, taking into accound the comments of the External Evaluators Committee.

15 Agricultural University of Athens Faculties of: Agricultural Production, Infrastructure and Environment Food, Biotechnology and Development

16 Faculty of Agricultural Production, Infrastructure and Environment Departments of: Plant Sciences Animal Sciences and Aquaculture Natural Recourses and Agric. Machinery

17 Faculty of Food, Biotechnology and Development Departments of: Food Sciences and Human Nutrition Biotechnology Agricultural Economics and Development

18 Depart. of Animal Sciences and Aquaculture Animal Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene Animal Genetics and Breeding Nutritional Physiology and Feeding Aquaculture

19 Depart. of Animal Sciences and Aquaculture The philosophy of the new proposed program Less subjects (50 vs. 66) focused on Animal Science and Aquaculture. Less hours teaching per week (24 vs. 34) Less compulsory more electives One exam per subject (Theory + practicals) Small projects to students (written and oral presentation)

20 1. Chemistry 2. Physics 3. Biology 4. Biochemistry 5. Computers 6. Botany- Zoology 7. Microbiology 8. Molecular Biology 9. Agric. Ecology 10. Genetics 11. Statistics

21 1.Farm Animal s Anatomy 2.»»»» Physiology 3.»»»» Breeding 4.»»»» Management 5.»»»» Nutrition 6.»»»» Housing 7.»»»» Hygiene 8.»»»» Physiology of lactation, growth and reproduction 9.Feedstuffs Technology 10.Grassland Management 11.Farm Animal Diseases 12.Technology of Products of Animal Origin (milk meat, eggs) 13.Aqua Culture 14.Aquatic Org. Production

22 1. Apiculture and Sericulture 2. Economics of Livestock Farming 3. Safety of Animal Origin Products 4. Marketing of Animal Origin Products 5. Farm Animals Excreta Management 6. Bio-informatics

23 1. Crops for feedstuffs production 2. Companion animals 3. Agricult. Sociology 4. Products Certification 5. Animals welfare 6. Animals Experimentation 7. Livestock Farming Systems 8. Insects Related to Animal Prod. 9. Agricultural Policy 10. Pharmacology