This Diploma Supplement is based on the model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. The purpose of the supplement is to provide sufficient independent data to improve the international ‘transparency’ and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.). It is designed to provide a description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed by the individual named on the original accompanying qualification to which this supplement is appended. It should be free from any value judgments, equivalence statements or suggestions about recognition. Information in all eight sections should be provided. Where information is not provided, an explanation should give the reason why.
1. INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE HOLDER OF THE QUALIFICATION
1.1 Family Name(s):
1.2 Given Name(s):
1.3 Date of Birth (day/month/year), Place, Country of Birth:
1.4 Student identification number or code:
2. INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE QUALIFICATION
2.1 Name of the qualification and (if applicable) title, conferred (in original language): Degree in Agriculture (Ptychio Geoponias)
2.2 Main field(s) of study for the qualification: AGRICULTURE with specialization field: ……………………
2.3 Name and status of awarding institution (in original language): Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης (Α.Π.Θ.), Aristoteleio Panepistimio Thessalonikis-Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.), Public University
2.4 Name and status of institution (in different from 2.3) administering studies (in original language): As in 2.3
2.5 Language(s) of instruction/examination: Greek
3. INFORMATION OF THE LEVEL OF THE QUALIFICATION
3.1 Level of qualification: Integrated master (1st and 2nd Cycle)
3.2 Official length of programme: 10 SEMESTERS, 300 ECTS.
A full academic year is equivalent to 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) units and each semester to 30 ECTS (1 ECTS=25-30 student workload hours). Compliance with the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) regulations started in 2007, when the Greek Legislation was harmonized with the relevant European one (Ministerial Decision no Φ5/89656/Β3, articles 1-3, Hellenic Government Gazette no 1466/2007/Β). Each course is credited with a number of ECTS (>= 2) according to the student’s workload (contact hours, laboratory work, examination etc) and accumulation of credits (ECTS) is accomplished after successful completion of the course.
3.3 Access requirement(s):
Upper secondary degree (6 years of studies). National level examination.
4. INFORMATION OF THE CONTENT AND RESULTS ACHIEVED
4.1 Mode of study: Full-time.
4.2 Programme requirements:
Τo obtain the Higher Diploma (ptychio), the students of the School of Agriculture have to complete their course work (attend and be successfully examined in compulsory or elective courses distributed within ten semesters), internship (between the 8th and 10th semester) and the thesis requirements (5-year curriculum).
The programme of studies is divided into a five semester general agricultural education section and a five semester section in one of the following five areas of specialization: 1) Agricultural economics, 2) Animal production, 3) Hydraulics, Soil Science and Agricultural engineering, 4) Food Science and Technology, 5) Plant Production. All students are required to submit their choice of specializations which they will subsequently follow by the end of the 5th semester of their studies. Each student, before is accepted in a specialization programme of his/her choice, has to successfully pass certain specified courses from the first general agricultural education section of the programme, which are proposed by each specialization as prerequisites. Evaluation of course performance is carried out either by a written or an oral examination, or with any other means adopted by the instructor(s) of each course (e.g. project, assignments and presentations).
The programme of studies of the School of Agriculture aims i) to provide comprehensive agricultural education, covering the entire production chain, from the primary sector to the processing and distribution of agricultural products and agri-food, ii) to establish a strong scientific background in basic and applied agricultural science, iii) to develop analytical and synthetic thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to make informed decisions, iv) to develop digital and innovation skills, with an emphasis on precision agriculture, information systems and modern decision-support tools, v) to educate students capable of responding to the challenges of climate change, food security, environmental protection and sustainable development, vi) to provide specialized knowledge through the five (5) Specializations-Study Areas, in a way that ensures a common strong agricultural background and clear professional profile of the graduate, vii ) in preparing graduates for the exercise of the foreseen professional rights of the Agriculturist, as well as for the continuation of studies in second and third cycle programs. The Study Program aims, finally, at the formation of responsible scientists with professional ethics, social sensitivity and environmental awareness, capable of actively contributing to scientific progress, productive reconstruction and sustainable development of the country.
Graduates of the School of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, after completing the ten (10) semester study program and obtaining a single and indivisible postgraduate degree (Integrated Master), possess a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills and competencies at the level of the National and European Qualifications Framework 7. The learning outcomes are formed by the common core of studies of the first five (5) semesters and by the specialization of the last five (5) semesters in one of the five (5) Specializations. Graduates, regardless of their major, are able to: 1) understand and interpret the basic principles of agricultural science from primary production to food processing and distribution, as well as the socio-economic development of rural areas, 2) design and evaluate plant and animal production systems based on sustainability, sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection, 3) develop and utilize methods, technologies and monitoring and decision support tools for crop and livestock management, as well as for the optimization of production factors and environmental parameters in agricultural production systems, 4) apply modern technologies and methods, such as precision agriculture, digital decision-making tools, etc., 5) analyze field and laboratory data, synthesize results and present them with scientific competence, 6) act with professional ethics, social responsibility and respect for the environment and public health.
Specialization: Agricultural Economics
Graduates of the Specialization of Agricultural Economics have fundamental and comprehensive knowledge necessary for the understanding and systemic consideration of the interactions between agricultural, natural and social systems and the transformations that occur in the agri-food sector, businesses and farms, as well as the rural society and economy. Specifically, graduates of the Specialization of Agricultural Economics are able to:
- Apply tools for economic analysis, accounting monitoring and financial risk assessment in the context of the climate crisis.
- Prepare and evaluate investment plans for agricultural holdings, business plans and predict financial results.
- Combine classical and modern techniques for adopting agricultural knowledge and design programs for disseminating innovation.
- Design field research tools and techniques for business competitiveness and the resilience of rural areas.
- Evaluate socioeconomic data relating to rural society and economy and design and evaluate rural policies and rural development programs.
- Develop market research based on modern needs for the development of new products and new multi-activity services in the countryside.
- Evaluate mentoring and training needs of producers and organize training programs.
- Provide advisory guidance to the operation of groups and manage agricultural cooperatives.
Specialization: Hydraulics, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering
Graduates of the Specialization of Hydraulics, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering are able to manage natural resources for the benefit (quantitative/qualitative) of plant and animal production, within the framework of the circular economy, the reduction of greenhouse gases, green development and environmental protection in general. Specifically, graduates are able to:
- Assess the quality and manage the quantity of water resources (surface and groundwater), considering climate change, design and manage water resources systems and land improvement projects, assess the suitability of urban and industrial wastewater for irrigation, use modern technologies to develop models of water resources systems and precision irrigation.
- Determine the properties related to the physical, chemical and biological state and behavior of soils, evaluate the quality (health) of soils and propose measures to improve them, recommend fertilization for crops based on soil analysis, evaluate plant and animal residues, urban and industrial waste and waste as soil improvers, assess soil degradation / pollution and propose soil restoration / decontamination measures, use modern technologies (spectroscopy and GIS) for soil recording / monitoring and precision agriculture.
- Select, design and evaluate agricultural structures, infrastructure and equipment (greenhouses / livestock buildings) as well as conventional and non-agricultural machinery and equipment for mechanical soil treatment and pre-treatment (drying / post-harvest handling) of agricultural products, as well as automated systems (sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics) for precision agriculture and livestock farming, design and evaluate the use and exploitation of renewable energy sources (biogas, geothermal energy, etc.) in the agricultural sector, select, design and implement appropriate agricultural waste treatment systems for environmental protection and the circular economy.
Specialization: Food Science and Technology
Graduates of the Specialization of Food Science and Technology have comprehensive knowledge in the main axes of Food Science and Technology (Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Processing and Engineering), which constitute the necessary background for understanding the properties, behavior and nutritional value of foods and beverages and are able to:
- Apply appropriate analysis methods and evaluate results to interpret the quality, nutritional value and properties of foods.
- Select the appropriate methods of processing, preserving and packaging food and beverages, recognizing the factors of spoilage and degradation and their effect on quality and nutritional characteristics.
- Implement, evaluate and manage quality and safety systems and carry out quality controls, assess risks and decide on appropriate actions to ensure the safety, hygiene and nutritional quality of food.
- Apply modern production technologies and utilize innovative approaches, based on market needs and current nutritional trends, to design and develop new products with desired quality and nutritional characteristics.
Specialization: Animal Production
Graduates of the Specialization of Animal Production have fundamental and comprehensive knowledge in physiology, breeding, reproduction, nutrition, genetic improvement and welfare of farm animals and aquatic organisms, with the aim of producing livestock products of high nutritional value and are able to:
- Design and implement genetic evaluation in farm animal breeding, modern genetic improvement programs, appropriate feeding regimens, modern biotechnological breeding techniques, gene technology methods and precision livestock farming systems.
- Design and implement modern protocols for integrated management, reproduction, nutrition and genetic improvement of livestock and fish farms.
- Conduct basic sampling and apply methods to evaluate the quality and safety of livestock products and the impacts of farming systems on the environment.
- Design and manage modern animal welfare systems and biosecurity systems in livestock and fish farms to prevent diseases and protect public health.
- Prepare balanced and least-cost rations for all categories of farm animals, taking into account production requirements, the availability of raw materials, and economic and environmental parameters.
- Implement modern nutritional strategies, contributing to increasing productivity, improving the quality of livestock products and developing innovative and functional products, while ensuring animal health, welfare and environmental protection.
Specialization: Plant Production
Graduates of the Specialization of Plant Production are able to:
- Plan, organize and manage cropping systems for arable , horticultural, viticultural, floricultural and horticultural crops.
- Apply modern methods of plant genetic improvement and biotechnology as well as modern genomic technologies for the production of propagation material.
- Manage modern plant nutrition, plant protection and integrated crop management programs.
- Evaluate the influence of climatic and environmental factors on the physiology, metabolism and productivity of plants as well as the quality of bioactive components and produced plant products.
- Implement sustainable management of biodiversity and other resources with the aim of protecting the environment.
- Recognize and distinguish between plant attacks by the main phytopathogenic microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, phytoplasmas), viruses and viroids, and invertebrate animal organisms (insects, mites, nematodes).
- Organize strategies for managing crop pathogens and pests and apply principles of Biometrics and Agricultural experimentation, Biostatistics and data processing.
- Analyze the properties and mode of action of plant protection substances (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc.) on their targets.
- Apply modern methods of landscape architecture, garden design, construction and maintenance, with an emphasis on the creation of planting plans.
- Organize modern techniques for the collection and post-collection preservation of agricultural products.
- Apply modern techniques in bee colony management and the production, evaluation and marketing of beekeeping products.
Overall, the above knowledge, skills and abilities ensure that graduates of the Department of Agriculture:
- they share a strong agricultural background,
- acquire a clear and documented specialization profile per Direction,
- are able to exercise the prescribed professional rights of the Agriculturist and respond to the modern needs of the primary sector, the agri-food sector chain , economy, sustainable development and innovation.
The Faculty of Geotechnical Sciences of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki repealed by P.D.247/04 (Official Government Gazette A΄235/30-11-04) and the School of Agriculture, which was affiliated to it, returned under the status of Law 1268/82, Article 30 paragraph 1 and Law 1351/83, Article 6 paragraph 11. The date of renaming of the School of Agriculture to Faculty of Agriculture is set on July 11, 2005 (A.U.Th. Senate meeting 2770/29-6-05 and Rector΄s Council meeting 1205/27-7-05). Subsequently, the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment has been founded by P.D.98/2013 (Official Government Gazette A΄134/05-6-2013) and now the School of Agriculture belongs to it. The academic operation of the School of Agriculture started at the beginning of the academic year 2013-2014.
4.3 Program details ( e.g. course units or subjects) and the individual Grades /credits received :
Courses that the student has succesfully attended, as well as subjects for which the student has received recognition or exemption (COR = Core, SPCOM = Specialization Compulsory, E = Elective, SPELC = Specialization Elective, OSELC = Other Specialization Elective, FL= Foreign Language, EX = Erasmus Exchange Programme, FRELC= Free Elective, PRT= Practical Training, DIS = Diploma Thesis). Course codes denote the responsible Department, the semester and the serial number:
| Code | Course Title | Course type | ECTS Credits | Grade | Examination Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N001Y | GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N005Y | MATHEMATICS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N007Y | INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N013Y | FARM ANIMAL NUTRITION | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N019Y | AGRICULTURAL POLICY- CAP | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N065Y | METEOROLOGY- CLIMATOLOGY | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N002Y | AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N004Y | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N006Y | STATISTICS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N010Y | ANIMAL HUSBANDRY-REPRODUCTION IN FARM ANIMALS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N014Y | ECOLOGY | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N020Y | POMOLOGY | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N008Y | PLANT ANATOMY AND MORPHOLOGY | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N018Y | VITICULTURE | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N003Y | INFORMATICS | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N017Y | SOIL SCIENCE | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N023Y | MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N012Y | PRINCIPLES OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N016Y | PRINCIPLES OF CROP PRODUCTION | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N022Y | ENTOMOLOGY | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N021Y | PLANT PHYSIOLOGY | COR | 4.0 | ||
| N025Y | VEGETABLE CROPS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N027Y | PLANT PATHOLOGY | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N029Y | FOOD AND NUTRITION | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N067Y | PESTICIDES | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N015Y | AGRICULTURAL HYDRAULICS | COR | 5.0 | ||
| N700Y | INTERNSHIP | PRT | 10.0 | ||
| N0701 | ENGLISH- 1 | FL | 2.0 | ||
| N0702 | ENGLISH- 2 | FL | 2.0 | ||
| The Specialization Compulsory Courses (SPCOM) and the Specialization Elective Courses (SPELC) are listed. | SPCOM | ||||
| SPELC | |||||
| Elective courses (E) are listed. | E |
PROJECT
Diploma Thesis
INTERNSHIP
Institution:
Total ECTS:
Diploma Thesis: ” ……………………………….. “
ECTS grading (A=10%, B=25%, C=30%, D=25%, E=10%) is based on a sample of a minimum of 100 students. If the sample is not sufficient then nothing is noted (according to the Ministerial Decision no Φ.5/89656/Β3, art. 4, Hellenic Government Gazette no 1466/2007/B). The ECTS grading system is based on the Annex 3 of the ECTS Guide, 2009, and on Crocker, L., & Algina, J. (1986). Introduction to classical and modern test theory. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers.
Dissertations or/and Internship projects as well are considered as individual projects and they are not graded based on a previous sample. Τhe same stands for the Erasmus courses for which we accept the grading of the receiving institution and we convert it to the local grade accordingly.
4.4 Grading scheme, and if available, grade distribution guidance:
A scale of 1 to 10 applies to the marks of each subject in the Hellenic Higher Education. The grading scheme is as follows in the qualification Ptychion (Ministerial Decision no 0.1231/B1/425 art.60, Hellenic Government Gazette no 1099/2000/B): Άριστα (Arista) Excellent: 8.50-10.00 Λίαν Καλώς (Lian Kalos) Very Good : 6.50- 8.49 Καλώς (Kalos) Good : 5.00-6.49 Minimum passing grade : 5 «Λίαν Καλώς» (Very Good) 6.86
4.5 Overall classification of the qualification (in original language):
5. INFORMATION ON THE FUNCTION OF THE QUALIFICATION
5.1 Access to further studies: The qualification is a terminal award and allows access to postgraduate studies
5.2 Professional status (if applicable): Additional professional recognition of a state agency is not required as the Graduate Degree awarded from the School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, is sufficient for employment in the public or private sector.
6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
6.1 Additional information: Not applicable
6.2 Further information sources:
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE: https://www.agro.auth.gr
ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI: https://www.auth.gr
GREEK MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS: https://www.minedu.gov.gr
EUROPEAN UNION EDUCATIONAL ISSUES: https://www.europa.eu.int/
EURYDICE: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/index_en.php
7. CERTIFICATION OF THE SUPPLEMENT
7.1 Date:
7.2 Name and Signature: (signature)
7.3 Capacity: On behalf of the Rector, the Head of the Administration Office
7.4 Official Stamp or seal:
This certificate is issued for use in abroad and is signed by the Head of the Administration Office of the School, according to Rector’s Decision No 40528/25-01-2024 (Official Journal of the Hellenic Republic 716/31-1-2024, vol. Β.)