Introduction to the Biology Department's Practical Training Program

The Practical Training Program at the University of Patras' Biology Department was first implemented during the academic year. This program is a crucial activity that attracts the interest of many students in the department, serving as a bridge between tertiary education and the job market. It offers students their first significant work experience in a field related to their scientific interests.

Program Details

• The Practical Training is an institutionalized course in the Biology Department's curriculum, with a course regulation and codes _ for the 7th semester and _ for the 8th semester.
• It is an elective course, equivalent to six (6) ECTS, lasting two (2) months, and participates in the degree award.
• The Practical Training takes place in specified periods set by the department, specifically during the winter semester as part of the course Practical Training I (code _) or during the spring semester as part of the course Practical Training II (code _), up to September 30th.
• For students of the Biology Department, the Practical Training is an elective course of the 7th or 8th semester of studies with 6 ECTS.
• Students who have completed at least 120 Credit Units and are in their 4th year of studies or are final-year students can participate in the Practical Training.

Selection Process for the Practical Training Program

• The selection of students is based on the regulation of the Practical Training of the Biology Department.
• After the selection, the responsible person from the University's Practical Training Office informs the students about the objectives of the Practical Training, their rights and obligations, as well as any requirements or peculiarities of the host organizations.
• The Evaluation Committee for student applications for Practical Training is formed by the Biology Department, as is the Appeals Committee.
• The Committee examines all candidatures in detail and selects based on the evaluation criteria of the department's Practical Training regulation.

Criteria for Selection

1. Number of Courses () that the student has passed successfully and the Total Number of Courses () for degree completion.
2. Average Grade () of the courses the student has passed successfully and the Maximum Average Grade () that can be achieved.

The algorithm applied is: Selection Score = ( * 100 / ) / 2 + ( * 100 / ) / 2

In case of a tie, the criterion of the highest Average Grade prevails; if the tie continues, the student with the higher number of passed courses is selected, and if the tie persists, a draw is made.

Monitoring and Evaluation of the Practical Training

• The monitoring of the students' progress during the Practical Training is done in collaboration with the Practical Training Office, the Scientific Responsible of the Department, and the supervising member of the Department's Educational Staff.
• The process involves:
  • Assigning a member of the Educational Staff as a supervisor for the trainee student.
  • During the Practical Training, the student is advised and monitored by the supervising member of the Educational Staff.
  • Students keep a "Practical Training Diary" summarizing their duties at the host organization. The host's supervisor evaluates the trainee, emphasizing consistency, knowledge adequacy, collaboration ability, willingness to learn, problem-solving skills, and overall professional behavior.
  • The supervising member of the Educational Staff evaluates and grades the trainee.

Conclusion on the Practical Training Program

The Practical Training Program at the University of Patras' Biology Department has been highly successful in achieving its goal of connecting biological education with the job market. Students who participated in the program were highly evaluated by their supervisors in terms of knowledge, willingness to learn, and professional behavior. The program provided students with the opportunity to gain experience related to their field of study, preparing them for their future professional careers.

Appendices

• Practical Training Announcement
• Temporary Results of the Selection for Practical Training
• Final Results of the Selection for Practical Training
• Application for Practical Training (PDF)
• Archives of Previous Years' Announcements