DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY - Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών · The Department of Biology belongs to the School of Sciences of the University ... Ecotoxicology. ... lecture notes,

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

General Information

The Department of Biology belongs to the School of Sciences of the University

of Patras and was founded in 1967. After the Framework-Law 1268 of 1982, the

Department is subdivided in three Sections: Animal Biology, Plant Biology, and

Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology. Also, the following Laboratories and

Museums belong officially to the Department of Biology: Biology Lab., Botany Lab.,

Zoology Lab., Genetics Lab., Botanical Museum, Zoological Museum, Electronic

Microscopy Lab., Histological Cultures Lab., Laboratory Animals Lab., Animal and

Human Physiology Lab., and Plant Physiology Lab. There is also a Library and

Reading Room, as well as a Computer Centre.

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: Ptychio (four-year degree Bachelor Degree)

Post-Graduate: M.Sc., Ph.D.

CHAIRPERSON

Professor Theodoros Georgiadis

Telephone: +30-2610-969206, 997438

Fax: +30-2610-969254

E-mail: [email protected]

ECTS DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATOR:

Assistant Professor Spyros Sfenthourakis

Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras,

265 00 Patras, Greece

Tel./Fax : +30-2610-969268


SECRETARIAT

Telephone: +30-2610-969200, 969201, 969203, 969204, 969205

Fax: +30-2610-991606


FACULTY MEMBERS

SECTION OF ANIMAL BIOLOGY

Director: Associate Professor Panagiotis Giompres

Professors

Iliopoulou-Georgudakis Joanna

Associate Professors

Chondropoulos Basil

Dermon Catherine

Fraguedakis-Tsolis Stella

Giagia-Athanasopoulou Eva

Giompres Panagiotis

Kaspiris Panagiotis

Koutsicopoulos Constantin

Matsokis Nikolaos

Assistant Professors

Fragopoulu Nina

Sfenthourakis Spyros

Lecturers

Anastassopoulou-Kapogianni Theoni

Giokas Sinos

Klossa-Kilia Elena

Koumoundouros George

Margarity Marigoula

Panagopoulos Nikolaos

Stamatopoulos Constantinos

Somarakis Stelios

Research Assistants

Vertsiotis Andreas

Technical Staff

Gaitani Aspasia

Gartzoni Chrysanthi

Marselis Sotirios

Bakas Andreas

Sikali Andriana

SECTION OF PLANT BIOLOGY

Director: Professor Dimitrios Christodoulakis

Professors

Christodoulakis Dimitrios

Georgiadis Theodoros

Kamari Georgia

Manetas Yiannis

Psaras George

Tzanoudakis Dimitrios


Artelari Panoraia

Iatrou Gregory


Angelopoulos Konstantinos

Georgiou Ourania

Grammatikopoulos George

Petropoulou Yiola

Livaniou-Tiniakou Argyro

Lecturers

Papastergiadou Evanthia

Technical Staff

Zouridi Ismini

Katravas Charalambos

Kotsikogianni-Kotti Aikaterini

Lampropoulos Panagiotis

Bareka Eleftheria-Perdiko

SECTION OF GENETICS, CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Director: Professor George Dimitriadis

Professors

Alahiotis Stamatis

Dimitriadis George

Dimopoulos Nikolaos

Giannopoulos George

Stefanou Georgia

Zagris Nikolaos

Zacharopoulou Antigoni


Aggelis George

Flytzanis Constantinos

Georgiou Christos

Katsoris Panagiotis

Lambropoulou Maria

Mintzas Anastasios


Chrysanthis George

Kaliafas Argyrios

Kilias George

Stamatis Nikolaos

Lecturers

Kefaliakou Marina

Special Research and Educational Staff

Tsakas Sotirios

Technical Staff

Lotsari Anastasia

Bouchagier Spyridon

Panagopoulou Eirini Christopoulou Argyri

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The research activities of the faculty members of the Department are mainly

concentrated in the following topics:

Section of Animal Biology

Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Life and Evolution, Spencer, Bergson.

(Anastassopoulou-Kapogianni Th.)

Systematics, zoogeography, behavior and cytogenetics of vertebrates (especially

mammals). Use of biometric methods in the study of rodents. Phyloneny of

mammals using immunobiological, biometric and molecular data. Structure of

terrestrial ecosystems. Biodiversity of Greece. (Chondropoulos B., Fraguedakis-

Tsolis S., Giagia-Athanasopoulou E., Stamatopoulos C.)

Marine biology. Ecology of zooplankton (taxonomy, distribution, population

dynamics in relation to hydrological conditions). Productivity of marine

ecosystems. (Fragopoulu N.)

Neurobiology, neurochemistry-neurotransmission. Physiology of the Central

Neural System. Neurotransmission in pathophysiological conditions. Effects of

thyroid hormones in brain development and function. Interactions between thyroid

hormones and neurotransmission systems. Mechanisms of neuronal degeneration

and neuroprotection. (Giompres P., Matsokis N., Margariry M., Panagopoulos N.)

Environmental pollution. Environmental management. Ecotoxicology.

Environmental Impact Assessment. Biospeleology and management of caves.

(Iliopoulou-Georgudakis J.)

Fish biology. Marine and estuarine fishes. Geographical distribution of fishes.

Aquaculture. Management of estuarine ecosystems. Ontogenetic plasticity,

functional morphology and morpho-anatomical deformations in fishes. Fish

cultures. Mesocosms. Testing, improvement and certification of cultured fishes.

(Kaspiris P., Koumoundouros G.)

Genetic structure of fish populations. Inference of phylogenetic relationships

using enzyme and mt–DNA polymorphisms. (Klossa-Kilia E.)

Structure and dynamics of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Fisheries

oceanography, dynamics and management of fisheries stocks. Models of

population dynamics and ecosystems. Fish population assessment using

ichthyoplanktonic methods. Interactions between fisheries and environment.

(Koutsikopoulos C., Somarakis S.)

Macroecology and island biogeography. Terrestrial invertebrates‟ systematics and

ecology. Speciation in terrestrial isopods and land mollusks. Phylogenetic analysis

of isopod and snail species. Ecology of terrestrial ecosystems. (Sfenthourakis S.,

Giokas S.)

Section of Plant Biology

Crop Physiology with emphasis on ecological agriculture. Biomass production for

energy use. Agriculture and environment. Management of agricultural

ecosystems. (Angelopoulos K.)

Urban Ecosystems from botanical and ecological point of view.

Dendroclimatology. (Christodoulakis D.)

Vegetation, Ecology, Structure and Management of terrestrial and wetland

ecosystems. Management of protected areas and habitat types. Biodiversity and

application of the 92/43/EU Directive in Greece. Environmental Education.

Environmental Impact Assesment. Biomonitoring. (Georgiadis Th.,

Christodoulakis D., Tiniakou A., Papastergiadou E.)

Monitoring of the biodiversity of the Greek Flora, with emphasis on the endemic,

rare, endangered and threatened plants of the Greek Flora. Palynology.

Meliferous-Aromatic plants (Iatrou G.)

Caryosystematics, Biosystematics, Biogeography, Biodiversity and Evolution of

higher plants of the Greek Flora. Endemism of the Greek Flora. Flora and

Vegetation of Terrestrial and Insular Ecosystems. Conservation of species and

habitats. Geobotany. (Kamari G., Georgiadis Th., Tzanoudakis D.,

Christodoulakis D., Iatrou G., Artelari P., Georgiou O., Tiniakou A.)

Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology with emphasis on: Adaptations of

Mediterranean plants to environmental stress and climate. Water relations of

Mediterranean plants. Secondary changes on chemical defense and concurrence

among plants. Photoprotection of the photosynthetic machinery and the role of

anthocyanins. Stem photosynthesis. Ecophysiology of anthesis and pollination.

(Manetas Y., Grammatikopoulos G., Petropoulou Y.)

Structure and Dynamics of wetland ecosystems in Greece: hydrobiological

parameters, food chains, species concurrence, biogeochemical cycles,

macrophytes as bioindicators. Monitoring and Management of Water Quality.

(Papastergiadou E.)

Plant Genetic Resources: evaluation and conservation (Tzanoudakis D.)

Functional Plant Anatomy/Microscopy. (Psaras G.)

Section of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology

Modelling of microbial growth and activities of industrial concern. Production of

metabolic products and enzymes from micro-organisms. Microbial populations

dynamics. Bio-degradation of agro-industrial waste. Glucose, glycerol, methanol

and lipid metabolism. Nitro-fixation by free-living bacteria of the genus

Azospirillum. (Aggelis G.)

Population and evolutionary genetics (population structure using allozymes,

proteins, mt-DNA). Speciation. Adaptation of populations under different

environmental conditions. Studies on sexual isolation - genetic distance -

phylogenetic trees. (Alahiotis S., Kilias G.)

Study of the genetic effects of different physical and chemical environmental

factors, such as radiation, pharmaceutical compounds, atmospheric pollutants etc, by

using in vitro and in vivo experimental procedures with classical and molecular

approaches. (Demopoulos N.A., Stephanou G.)

Mechanisms of cell differentiation. Structure of chromatin. Methylation of DNA and

carcinogenesis. Development of diagnostic methods for cancer of haemopoitic

system. Production of proteins with genetic engineering. Molecular basis of fish

diseases and development of vaccines for field applications. (Dimitriadis G.)

Gene regulation in the primary embryonic stages of sea-urchins. Study of the

ontogenetic function of transcriptional factors belonging in the family of nuclear

receptors. (Flytzanis C.)

Biochemistry of reactive oxygen species and its relation to the metabolism and

pathogeny. Role of oxygen free radicals on microbial development and

differentiation. Differentiation and its relation to oxidizing stress: differentiation and

phytopathogeny of fungi. (Georgiou Ch.)

Developmental biology of insects. Studies on insect morphology and biochemistry.

Biological control of insects. Entomopathogenic Fungi. Genetic engineering for the

biological control of the Medfly C. capitata. Environmental Microbiology: Water,

Food and Industrial Microbiology. Bioethanol Production: Fermentation Technology

and Industrial Applications. Ethanol and Wine Making by the Use of Immobilized

Cells on Organic and Inorganic Materials. Ethanol Bioreactors. Collection of Yeast

Strains from Greek Microflora for Scientific and Industrial Applications. (Kaliafas

A., Chrysanthis G.)

Insect immunology: cellular and chemical immunity. Signal transduction in blood

and fat body cells in the Medfly C. capitata. (Katsoris P.)

Cell and evolutionary biology. Immunology. The use of immunological properties

of proteins for the study of phylogeny by applying the immunological technique of

Micro-Complement Fixation. Immunological identification of microbial strains.

(Kefaliakou M.)

Cell-mediated immunity in insects. Comparison to mammalian macrophages. LPS

signal transduction pathways and haemocyte attachment, spreading, release of

immune proteins and phagocytosis. (Lambropoulou M.)

Genetic analysis. Transposable genetic elements (TGEs) in the fruitly Drosophila

melanogaster (function and properties). Host and environmental factors affecting

the function of TGEs. Induction, isolation and analysis of insertional mutations.

Position - effect variegation. (Yannopoulos G., Stamatis N.)

Structure and function of male-specific and heatshock genes of the Medfly Ceratitis

capitata. Molecular mechanisms of gene expression by the steroid hormone

ecdysone in the Medfly. Genetic, cytogenetic maps. Construction of balancer

chromosomes in the Medfly Ceratitis capitata. Development of genetic engineering

methods for biological control in C. capitata. (Zacharopoulou A., Mintzas A.)

Developmental biology, developmental genetics, pattern formation, extracellular

matrix, gene regulation. Ovogenetic signals and embryonic genome activation.

Morphoregulatory molecules – integrins, glucoproteins, proteoglycanes - their

expression and role in the organization of the early embryo. (Zagris N.)

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

General information

The education system in Greece is based on semesters. There are two

semesters per academic year, the fall and spring semesters. A student formally needs

8 semesters (4 years) of studying in order to graduate, that is to obtain the Diploma

(Ptychion, in Greek or Bachelor‟s Degree) in Biology that certifies also the

specialization in one of the following two areas: (a) Biodiversity, Ecology and

Environment, or (b) Genetics, Cellular - Molecular Biology & Physiology. Each

student must select one of these two specializations at the beginning of the 6th

semester (spring semester of 3rd

year of study). The specializations are defined by the

corresponding elective courses (see Program Plan).

During each semester a student has to follow ca. 6 courses that can be

consisted of lectures only or of lectures and laboratory work, and in certain courses

educational field work is also needed.

The courses offered in our Department are grouped in semesters; however, this

is indicative for the students who can actually choose at will any courses from any of

the fall or spring semesters. In ant case, the way these courses appear in the Course

Summary Table indicate the sequence (model study plan) a normal student should

follow in order to avoid choosing courses whose background material has not been

studied before.

Our curriculum consists of compulsory courses which every one student must

take and elective courses which can be chosen by the students according to their

special preferences. The elective courses are treated exactly like the compulsory ones

in relation to attendance and exams. There is no quota of students for the elective

courses, although in some cases where less than three students opt for a particular

course, this might be suspended for the respective semester and students advised to

opt for a different choice.

In most courses there is no formal assessment throughout the semester (but

this not always so). Assessment of courses usually consists of written exams at the

end of the semester (and, in case of failure, also in September), in conjunction with

practical (laboratory) exams, and/or oral presentations / written reports by students,

especially in courses with educational field work. Courses are only offered in the

Greek language. Lecturers teach the related material based on Greek textbooks or

lecture notes, which are all offered free by the Greek State. These textbooks are

usually based on the corresponding most broadly used English books. Thus the

content and the level of these Greek textbooks are similar to the corresponding

English ones. For an ERASMUS student whose native language is not Greek and

his/her Greek is not good enough to be able to study from a Greek textbook, an

English textbook with similar content to that his/her fellow Greek students use can

always be easily found. These textbooks are offered on loan by our departmental or

institutional (central) library. Within the fourth year of studies, in addition to the

courses they follow, the students may choose to carry out a short research project,

called Diploma thesis, under the supervision of a member of the academic staff. At

the end of this work students have to provide a written account of their results and

present them orally in front of a three-member committee. A grade is then assigned to

the student by the committee reflecting the overall performance of the student.

The number of Greek educational credits (not to be confused with ECTS

credits) that is assigned to each course is dictated by a regulation of the Greek

Framework Law for Higher Education (1268/82) which states that 1 Greek credit

corresponds to 1 hr lecture per week per semester, whereas to the rest of educational

work (e.g. seminars and labs), 1 credit corresponds to 1-3 hr per week per semester.

Then each Department, through its General Assembly, defines the number of credits

assigned to this other educational work. Thus, in Patras, 1 credit corresponds to 2 or 3

hrs lab work per week per semester. The Diploma thesis is credited with 12 credits.

The credits the students collect during their study period in the Greek Universities,

and the associated grades, are taken into account for the calculation of their final

mark. For this calculation, another factor has been introduced by Law which is called

"weighing" factor. According to this factor, courses associated with 1-2 credits have a

factor of 1.0, courses associated with 3-4 credits have the factor 1.5 and courses with

more than 4 credits take the highest factor 2.0. Thus, the final grade with which a

student is graduated is the mean value of grades obtained for each course multiplied

by the associated weighing factor.

PROGRAM PLAN

Undergraduate Studies

Abbreviation used in the following table, are: L, lectures (h/w); F, field work (if Yes);

L/Y, laboratory (h/w).

FIRST YEAR

Fall Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11AY01 General Chemistry 3 - 3 6

11AY02 Zoology I 2 - 3 7

11AY03 Mathematics 4 - 0 5

11AY04 Organic Chemistry 3 - 3 6

11AY05 Physics 3 - 3 6

Spring Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11BY01 Biostatistics 3 - 0 5

11BY02 Biochemistry I 3 - 3 8

11BY03 Zoology II 2 - 3 7

11BY04 Plant Morphology 3 - 3 8

Elective courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11BY05 English language 2 - 0 2

11BY06 French language 2 - 0 2

11BY07 German language 2 - 0 2

11BY08 Italian language 2 - 0 2

11BY09 Russian language 2 - 0 2

SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11CY01 Cell Biology I 3 - 3 7

11CY02 Zoology III 3 - 3 7

11CY03 Systematic Botany 2 - 3 7

11CY04 Biochemistry II 3 - 0 4

11ZY02 Microbiology 3 - 3 5

Spring Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11DY01 Cell Biology II 3 - 3 7

11DY02 Molecular Biology I 3 - 2 7

11DY03 Genetics I 3 - 3 7

11DY04 Taxonomy of Spermatophytes 2 - 3 7

Elective courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11DE01 Introduction to Computers 2 - 0 2

11DE03 Introduction to the Didactics of

Science 2 - 0 2

THIRD YEAR

Fall Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11EY01 Genetics II 3 - 3 7

11EY03 Animal Physiology I 3 - 3 7

11EY04 Plant Physiology 3 - 3 7

11EY05 Molecular Biology II 3 - 2 7

Elective courses

A’ cycle: Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11CE03 Cognitive Psychology 2 - 0 2

11EA2 Computer Applications in Biology 2 - 0 2

11AE01 Philosophy of Science 2 - 0 2

11EE01 Anthropology 2 - 2 4

11EA4 Elements of Geology and

Palaeontology 2 Y 2 4

11EA5 Edaphology 2 - 0 2

B’ cycle: Genetics, Cell-Molecular Biology and Physiology

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11CE03 Cognitive Psychology 2 - 0 2

11EA2 Computer Applications in Biology 2 - 0 2

11AE01 Philosophy of Science 2 - 0 2

11CE04 Food Chemistry and Technology 3 - 4 4

11CE06 Physical Chemistry 3 - 0 3

Spring Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11STY1 Developmental Biology 3 - 3 7

11STY3 Ecology I 3 Y 2 6

11STY4 Animal Physiology II 3 - 3 6

11STY5 Evolution 3 - 0 5

Elective courses


ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11ZA1 Marine Ecology 3 - 3 2

11STE5 Plant Ecophysiology 2 - 3 4

11HE17 Flora of Greece 2 Y 2 4

11HE16 Fauna of Greece 2 Y 1 4

11STA1 Didactics of Biology 2 - 0 2

11STA2 Mental and Social Ecology 2 - 0 2


ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11STE2 Clinical Chemistry 2 - 3 4

11STB2 Radiobiology 2 - 0 2

11STA1 Didactics of Biology 2 - 0 2

FOURTH YEAR

Fall Semester

Compulsory courses

ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11ZY03 Ecology II 3 Y 2 6

Elective courses


ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11XAPT Mapping – Remote Sensing 2 - 0 3

11EE02 Ichthyology 2 Y 3 6

11ZA2 Environmental Animal Physiology 2 - 0 4

11ZE06 Phylogeny of the Higher Plants 2 - 0 4

11ZE08 Diploma Thesis* - - - 14

11BIO1 Bioethics & Technology Ethics 3 - 0 3

11HE11 Animal Phylogeny 2 - 0 4


ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11BIO1 Bioethics & Technology Ethics 3 - 0 3

11ZE01 Immunobiology 2 - 3 5

11ZB2 Special Topics of Cell and

Molecular Biology 3 - 0 4

11ZE02 Special Courses in Human

Physiology 3 - 0 4

11CE02 Instrumental Methods of Analysis

of Biomolecules 3 - 0 4

11ZE03 Neurobiology 2 - 2 4


* Diploma thesis lasts for two semesters (4th

year) and can be credited in both.

Spring Semester

Elective courses


ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11DE02 Entomology 2 Y 3 5

11HE12 Ethology 2 - 0 3

11HE09 Vegetation Ecology 2 Y 3 5

11STE3 Crop Physiology 2 - 3 5

11HE15 Environmental Pollution 2 - 2 5

11HE18 Aquaculture 3 - 0 3

11HA2 Zoogeography 2 Y 2 5

11STE1 Geobotany 2 Y 2 5

11HA1 Philosophy of Life and

Environmental Ethics 3 - 0 3



ECTS

Course Code Title

Hours/week ECTS

credits L F L/Y

11ΖΔ2 Bioinformatics 3 - 0 3

11HE14 Biotechnology 2 - 2 6

11HB2 Human Genetics – Clinical

Genetics 3 - 0 4

11HE05 Applied Microbiology 2 - 3 5

11HE08 Environmental Mutagenesis 2 - 0 4

11HB3 Experimental Animal Physiology 2 - 0 4

11HE10 Current Topics in Cellular

Differentiation 2 - 0 5

11HE20 Photosynthesis 2 - 0 4

11HA1 Philosophy of Life and

Environmental Ethics 3 - 0 3


* Diploma thesis lasts for two semesters (4th

year) and can be credited in both.

INFORMATION ON COURSES

Course title Animal Phylogeny

Course code 11ΖΔ11

Type of course Elective

Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Sfenthourakis S., Assistant Professor

Giokas S., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to Zoology and knowledge of the first animal

phyla.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Species concepts. Character analysis. Phylogenetic

relationships. Monophyletic, paraphyletic and polyphyletic

groups. Cladograms and dendrograms. Methods of

phylogenetic analysis. Major phylogenetic events in the

Animal kingdom.

Recommended reading 1. Lecture notes.

2. Felsenstein J 2004. Inferring Phylogenies. Sinauer

Associates.

3. Nielsen C 2001. Animal Evolution. Interrelationships of

the Living Phyla. Oxford University Press.

Teaching methods Lectures, Practical application of phylogenetic tools.

Assessment methods Written exams at the end of semester

Language of instruction Greek

Course title Animal Physiology I

Course code 11ΔΤΟ3

Type of course Compulsory

Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Giompres P., Associate Professor

Dermon C., Associate Professor

Matsokis N., Associate Professor

Margarity M., Lecturer

Panagopoulos N., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Principles and mechanisms of animal function.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Cellular membranes and transmembrane transport. Resting

membrane potentials. Action potentials. Synaptic

transmission. Membrane receptors. Signal transduction

pathways. Organization of the nervous system. The general

sensory, motor, autonomous nervous system. Higher

functions of the nervous system. Molecular basis of

contraction. Blood and hemostasis.

Recommended reading Berne RM & Levy MN 1996. Principles of Physiology Vol Η

& ΗΗ. Mosby-Year Book

Teaching methods Lectures, Laboratory exercises

Assessment methods Written and laboratory exams at the end of semester


Course title Animal Physiology II

Course code 11SΣΤ4


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 6






Objectives of the course Principles and mechanisms of animal function.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Electrical activity of the heart. Central and peripheral

control of cardiac output. An overview of the respiratory

system. Control of breathing. Mobility of gastrointestinal

tract. Gastrointestinal secretions. Digestion and

absorption. Elements of renal function. General

principles of endocrine physiology.

Recommended reading Berne RM & Levy MN 1996. Principles of Physiology

Vol Η & ΗΗ. Mosby-Year Book




Course title Anthropology

Course code 11ΔΔ01


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Stamatopoulos C., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to anthropological science.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Anthropological sciences. Human nature and free will.

Principles of human genetics and evolution.

Encephalization, bipedalism.

Recommended reading 1. Dawkins R 1986. The Blind Watchmaker. WW Norton

(re-issue 1996).

2. Plotkin H 1994. The Nature of Knowledge. Penguin

Books.

3. Wilson EO 1998. Consilience. The Unity of

Knowledge. A.Knopf.

4. Johnson G 1992. In the Palaces of Memory. Vintage

Books.

5. Jones S, Martin R & Pilbeam D 1995. The Cambridge

Encyclopedia of Human Evolution. CUP.

6. Campbell BG 1976. Human Evolution. An

Introduction to Man’s Adaptations. Aldine Publ. Co.

7. Mayr E 1998. This is Biology. Belknap.

8. Futuyma D 1997. Evolutionary Biology. 3rd

edition.

Sinauer Associates.

Teaching methods Lectures



Course title Applications of Computers in Biology

Course code 11ΔΑ2


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer Koutsikopoulos C., Associate Professor

Sfenthourakis S., Assistant Professor

Somarakis S., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Practical courses on basic software applications in the

biological sciences

Prerequisites None

Course contents Software of statistical analysis. Use and creation of data

bases for biological data. Software for ecological data

processing. Use of GIS in biodiversity analysis. Biological-

ecological modeling.

Recommended reading Notes and instructions for software use and applications.

Teaching methods Practical courses

Assessment methods Practical exams


Course title Applied Microbiology

Course code 11HE05


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Aggelis G., Associate Professor

Kaliafas A., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Micro-organisms and current biotechnology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Micro-organisms and current biotechnology. Micro-

organisms in industrial production. Improvement of

microbial cells. Cloning methods of genetic

improvement. Theory and practice of mutations.

Mutagens. Recombinant DNA and RNA technology.

Interventions in microbial metabolism. Alternate

metabolic pathways. Methods of product recovery and

purification. Fermentation. Bioreactors. Microbiology of

food and drinks. Use of immobilised cells and enzymes.

Microbial protein production. Other uses of micro-

organisms.

Recommended reading «Ευαρμοσμένη Μικροβιολογία» ηοσ Α. Καλιάθα




Course title Aquaculture



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 3

Name of lecturer Kaspiris P., Associate Professor

Koumoundouros G., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to principles and methods of acquaculture.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction. Aquaculture systems. Methods in

aquaculture. Culture in fresh- and marine waters.

Hatcheries. The biological basis of aquaculture.

Management of cultured populations. Current issues in

Greek fish culture.


2. Southgate P & Lucas J (eds) 2003. Aquaculture:

Farming Aquatic Animals and Plants. Blackwell

Publishing.




Course title Biochemistry I

Course code 11ΒΤ02


Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 8

Name of lecturer Georgiou Ch., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to Biomolecules.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Biological micro- and macromolecules. Amino acids and

proteins. Ampholitic properties. Protein structure and

function. Protein characterization and purification.

Protein conformation, dynamics and function. Enzymes.

Mechanisms of enzyme action. Control of enzymatic

activity. Coenzymes and cofactors. Carbohydrates.

Lipids. Nucleic acids. Biological redox systems.

Bioenergetics and biochemical reactions. Oxidative

phosphorylation.

Recommended reading «Βiochemistry Ι and II» by: J.Berg, J Tymoczko and L.

Stryer

Teaching methods Lectures, Laboratory exercises,



Course title Biochemistry II

Course code 11CΤ04


Year of study 2

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Georgiou Ch., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Metabolic pathways

Prerequisites None

Course contents Membrane transport systems. Citric acid cycle,

Carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis,

pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen metabolism). Fatty

acid metabolism. Amino acid metabolism (synthesis,

degradation, urea cycle). Porphyrin biosythesis.

Nucleotide metabolism. Integration of metabolism.

Recommended reading «Βiochemistry Ι and II» by: J.Berg, J Tymoczko and L.

Stryer




Course title Bioethics and Technology Ethics

Course code 11BIO1


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 3

Name of lecturer Alahiotis S., Professor

Georgiou Ch., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course The foundations of bioethics

Prerequisites None

Course contents Selected items of the biological view of modern

philosophy and technology. Clones, genes and the

genetic revolution. Environmental risks by the releases of

transgenic plants and animals. The use of the new

technology and the social cost.

Recommended reading «Bioethics», S. Alahiotis (in Greek).




Course title Bioinformatics

Course code 11ΖΔ2


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 3

Name of lecturer

Objectives of the course Use of informatics in biological research.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction. Collection, storage and comparison of

sequences. Search for similar sequences in data bases –

phylogenetic trees. Classification of proteins and

prediction of structure. Genome analysis.

Recommended reading




Course title Biostatistics



Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Piperigou B., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Statistical methods in Biology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction. Attributes, measurements, parameters.

Probability and test of significance. Normal distribution.

Binomial distribution. Poisson distribution. Comparison

of two samples. τ2 Distribution. Correlation. Regression.

Analysis of variance.

Recommended reading “Statistics for Biology”, O. Bishop

Teaching methods Lectures.



Course title Biotechnology

Course code 11HE14


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 6

Name of lecturer Aggelis G., Associate Professor

Dimitriadis G., Professor

Georgiou Ch., Associate Professor

Kaliafas A., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Bioreactors. Genetic engineering. Applications.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Bioreactors. Genetic engineering: Expression in E. coli

of cloned DNA molecules, Correct translational reading

frame, Construction of expression vectors, Expression of

native proteins, Secretion of foreign proteins Stability of

foreign proteins in E. coli. Applications. Applications of

the principles of enzymology to biotechnology: The

biotechnology of biocatalyst isolation and purification,

Biocatalysts, Immobilization of biocatalysts, Application

of immobilized enzymes, Immobilized cells and

biochemical reactors in biotechnology.

Recommended reading “Manual of industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology”

A. Demain, N. Solomon.




Course title Cell Biology I

Course code 11CΤ01


Year of study 2

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Katsoris P., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Structure and organization of the cell.

Prerequisites None

Course contents The genetic material: Structure and topology of nucleic

acids. Organization of procaryotic and eucaryotic

genome: Repetitive and non repetitive DNA. Structure of

genes. Role of introns. Chromatin and chromosomes:

The packaging of DNA. Nucleosomes. Active and non-

active chromatin. Methylation of DNA. DNA replication:

Replication in Procaryotes and Eucaryotes Mechanisms

of replication. Initiation, elongation and termination

process. Genetic engineering: Restriction enzymes.

Plasmids and phages as cloning vectors. Construction of

DNA and genomic libraries.

Recommended reading Molecular biology of the cell. Alberts et al.




Course title Cell Biology IΗ

Course code 11DΤ01


Year of study 2

Semester Spring

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Lambropoulou M., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Structure and organization of the cell

Prerequisites None

Course contents Cytoskeleton and cellular movements. The nucleus.

Structure and function of nucleolus. Nuclear matrix.

Nuclear envelope. Cell growth and division. Phases of

cell cycle. Regulation of growth and division. Cell death.

The Cancer cell. The genetic basis of oncogenesis. The

cellular basis of immunity. Malfunctions of immune

system.

Recommended reading Molecular biology of the cell. (H Lodish, et al.)

Cell (Lewin)




Course title Clinical Chemistry

Course code 11SΣΔ2


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Karamanos N., Professor

Theocharis A., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on clinical chemistry

Prerequisites None

Course contents Quantitative estimation of proteins, enzymes,

macromolecules and drugs: immunoenzymic methods,

enzyme kinetics, chromatographic analyses. Use of

automatic analyzers. Qualitative laboratory control.

Recommended reading Γεωργάηζοσ Η & Αρζόγλοσ Π 1999. Αρχές κλινικής

Χημείας. Πανεπιζηημιακές εκδόζεις Θεζζαλονίκης




Course title Cognitive and Social Ecology

Course code 11SΣΑ2


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer Anastassopoulou-Kapogianni Th., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to the ecological perception of the world.

Prerequisites None

Course contents a) Cognitive subject and world: reason and nature, liberty

and action according to Rationalism, Phenomenology,

Existentialism and Critical Theory. b) Towards an

ecology of mind: the notions of “information”, “self-

evolutionary systems”, “organization” and “autonomy”.

c) Ecological and ethical crisis. Murray Bookchin ‟s

dialectical naturalism and philosophy of social ecology.

Recommended reading 1. Wilden A 1972. System and Structure: Essays on

Communication and Exchange. London, Tavistock.

2. Cassirer E 1944. An Essay on man. An introduction to

a philosophy of human culture.

3. Marcuse H 1964. One-Dimensional Man.

4. Bookchin M 1990. The Philosophy of Social Ecology.

Black Rose Books.




Course title Cognitive Psychology

Course code 11CΔ03


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer Porpodas C., Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to basic issues of Cognitive Psychology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Learning and knowledge acquisition. Definition and

principles of Cognitive Psychology. Cognitive

mechanisms and functions for perception, process,

storage and retrieval of information. The cognitive

processes of perception and memory. Language as a

means of communication, learning and acquisition of

knowledge. Factors of language acquisition. The

cognitive function of thought. Language and thought.

Problem solving. The cognitive process of reading. The

relations of oral and written language. The cognitive

process of reading. Text reading comprehension.

Memory of text reading. Dyslexia, as a specific difficulty

in learning to read and write.

Recommended reading Learning and its difficulties (cognitive approach

προσέγγιση). Porpodas (in Greek)

Reading. Porpodas (in Greek)




Course title Crop Physiology



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Angelopoulos K., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Physiology of cultivated species in stands and orchards

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction to the principles of crop physiology and

horticulture - About agriculture and agricultural

ecosystems – Alternative farming methods –

Microclimate parameters and crop productivity - Plant

and crop growth - Growth indices and its measurements -

Canopy structure and radiation interception – Crop

photosynthesis and productivity – Crop

evapotranspiration - Water deficiency and its effect on

crop growth and productivity. Soil fertility and inorganic

crop nutrition.

Recommended reading 1. Gardner FP, Pearce RB & Mitchell RL Physiology of

crop plants. Iowa Stete University Press

2. Hay RKM & Walker AJ An introduction to the

physiology of crop yield. Longman Scientific& Technical




Course title Current Topics in Cellular Differentiation

Course code 11HE10


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Zagris N., Professor

Objectives of the course Special emphasis on current topics in development

systems.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Special emphasis on gene regulation in developing

systems. The molecular blueprint for form and pattern

from Drosophila to mouse. The cell cycle-growth control

and cancer. Transgenic organisms.

Recommended reading Developmental Biology, S. Gilbert.




Course title Developmental Biology



Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Zagris N., Professor

Objectives of the course Organization and development of early embryo.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Germ cells. Oogenesis. Spermatogenesis. Fertilization.

Activation of egg metabolism. Mechanisms of cleavage. Early

development. Maternal mRNA. Embryo genome activation.

Cytoplasmic determinants. Cell commitment and

differentiation. Genes and gastrulation. Molecular regulators

of development. Embryonic axes specification: anterior/

posterior- and dorsal/ventral- polarity in invertebrates and

vertebrates. Neurulation. Cell adhesion molecules.

Extracellular matrix. Cellular interactions and migrations.

Morphogens and morphogenetic fields. Regeneration.

Apoptosis. Plant development. Transgenic organisms.

Recommended reading Developmental Biology, S. Gilbert.




Course title Didactics of Biology

Course code 11SΣΑ1


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer Zogza V., Professor

Objectives of the course Learning and teaching Biology science.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Research findings about teaching and learning of Biology

concepts in Secondary Education, students‟ mental

representations and mental models and their change after

teaching. Training of future teachers to organize teaching

activities on biological topics using the theoretical tools

provided.

Recommended reading 1. Lawson A 1995. Science Teaching and the

Development of Thinking. International Thomson

Publishing

2. Trends in Biology Education Research in the New

Biology Era, ERIDOB Proceedings, Patras University

Press.

3. Allen G & Baker J. Biology, Scientific Process and

Social Issues. Fitzgerald Science Press.

4. Textbooks of Science Education in Greek by Ravanis

K., Vlachos J., Kokkotas, P.

Teaching methods Lectures and group-work of students

Assessment methods Written and oral exams at the end of semester


Course title Diploma thesis

Course code 11ΕΔ08


Year of study 4

Semester Fall-Spring

Number of credits 14

Name of lecturer Supervisor in charge.

Objectives of the course Completion of a research project.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Depending on the selected subject.

Recommended reading Depending on the selected subject

Teaching methods -

Assessment methods Written thesis and presentation in front of a three-

member assessment committee.


Course title Ecology I



Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 6



Objectives of the course Introduction to, and basic principles of ecology.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introductory principles of Ecology. Adaptations of

organisms to their environment. Population ecology.

Ecological niche and relations of organisms to their

environment. Methods of sampling and analysis in

ecology. Management of terrestrial, freshwater and marine

ecosystems. Effects of environmental stress on the

structure and function of ecosystems. Environmental

impact assessment. Ecological monitoring.

Recommended reading 1. Lykakis Η 1996. Ecology. Symmetria ed. (in Greek)

2. Ricklefs RΔ & Miller GL 2000. Ecology. 4th edition.

W.H. Freeman and Company.

Teaching methods Lectures, Laboratory exercises, Field work



Course title Ecology II

Course code 11ΕΤ03


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 6

Name of lecturer Georgiadis Th., Professor

Papastergiadou E., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Principles of ecosystems, flux of matter and energy and

ecological succession.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Biological communities and ecosystems. Principles of

the systems theory. Biodiversity. Dominance. Primary

productivity. The flux of energy through communities.

The flux of matter through communities. Ecological

yield.Trophic levels. Biogeochemical cycles.

Ecological succession. Pollution Ecology.

Recommended reading 1. Emberlin JC 1983. Introduction to Ecology. M & E

Handbooks, Estover, Plymouth

2. Molles MC 2006. Ecology. 3rd edition. Mc Graw

Hill.

3. Begon M, Harper J & Townsend C 1996. Ecology:

Individuals, Populations and Communities (3rd

Edit.)

Blackwell.

4. Krebs CJ 1994. Ecology: the experimental analysis of

distribution and abundance. Harper & Row, New York.

5. Odum E 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology. Saunders,

Philadelphia.

Teaching methods Lectures, Laboratory exercises, Educational field-work,

Multimedia displays



Course title Edaphology

Course code 11ΔΑ5


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer Varnavas S., Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to the study of the soil

Prerequisites None

Course contents Geomorphological processes and factors. Physical

weathering. Chemical weathering. Physical and chemical

processes leading to soil formation. Soil horizons – soil

profile. Factors controlling the soil formation. Chemical

and mineral composition of soils. Organic material in the

soil and its importance. Classification of soils. Methods

of soil sampling. Laboratory methods for chemical

analysis of soils.

Recommended reading Lecture notes




Course title Elements of Geology and Paleontology

Course code 11ΔΑ4


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer

Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on Geology and Paleontology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Elements and dynamics of the Earth. Geomorphology.

Geological time and geochronology. Fossils and

evolution. General review of the temporal distribution of

animal and plant phyla. Palaeogeography,

palaeoenvironments and palaeoclimate.

Recommended reading




Course title Entomology

Course code 11DΔ02


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Sfenthourakis S., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to the biology of insects

Prerequisites None

Course contents Origins and evolution of the insects. External and

internal organization of the insects. Systems and sensory

organs. Reproduction and ontogeny of the insects. Insect

systematics. Applied entomology.


2. Grimaldi D & Engel MS 2005. Evolution of the

Insects. Cambridge University Press.


Assessment methods Written exams at the end of semester and homework

assignment


Course title Environmental Mutagenesis

Course code 11HE08


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Demopoulos N., Professor

Objectives of the course Environmental mutagens and test systems. Chemical

mutagens

Prerequisites None

Course contents Historical review of mutagenesis. Environmental

mutagens and test systems. Radiation (Ionizing radiation,

Ultra-violet radiation, Visible radiation). Chemical

mutagens (alkylating agents, acridines, pesticides,

insecticides, antibiotics, analysis of chemical structure -

genetic activity). Repair mechanisms.

Recommended reading Environmental Mutagenesis, By D. Phillips and S. Venitt




Course title Environmental Physiology of Animals

Course code 11ΕΑ2


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Matsokis N., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on the effects of the environment on

animals.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Physiological and biochemical bases of adaptation.

Biological rhythms (Biorhythms). Biometeorology.

Temperature and humidity. The altitude. Aviation,

Acceleration and space. Deep sea diving physiology.

Radiation. Magnetobiology. Toxicology with emphasis

to Human pathophysiology. Presentation of a topic.





Course title Environmental Pollution



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Iliopoulou-Georgudaki J., Professor

Objectives of the course Basic principles of environmental pollution.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Aquatic pollution. Measurement of basic ecological

parameters (BOD, COD, Biological Indicators).

Bioaccumulation of pollutants. Heavy metals in aquatic

environments. Mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity (Hg,

Cb, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn). Oceanic hydrocarbon pollution.

Detergent pollution. Radioactive pollution. Estuaries.

Eutrophism. Assessing pollution in the Mediterranean

Sea. Ecotoxicological effects on man. Waste water

treatment.

Recommended reading 1. Hill MK 2004. Understanding Environmental

Pollution: A Primer (2nd Edition). CUP.

2. Rana SVS 2006. Environmental Pollution: Health and

Toxicology. Alpha Science International Ltd.

3. Freedman B 1995. Environmental Ecology, Second

Edition: The Ecological Effects of Pollution, Disturbance,

and Other Stresses. Academic Press.




Course title Ethology



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 3

Name of lecturer Stamatopoulos C., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to the study of behavior

Prerequisites None

Course contents Methods for the study of behavior. Ecology and

behavior. Evolution and ontogeny of behavior. Social

behavior. Case studies.

Recommended reading 1. Martin P & Bateson P 1993. Measuring Behaviour.

CUP.

2. Hinde R 1983. Ethology: Its Nature and Relations with

Other Sciences. OUP.




Course title Evolution



Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5


Kilias G., Assistant Professor

Stamatis N., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to evolutionary theory

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction to evolutionary theory. Genes in

populations. Changes in population structure. Genetic

diversity and natural selection. The origin of species.

Molecular evolution and phylogeny. Palaeobiology and

macroevolution. The evolutionary history of man.

Extensions of evolutionary theory.

Recommended reading “Evolution-An Introduction” S.Steams and R. Hoekstra




Course title Experimental Animal Physiology

Course code 11ΖΒ3


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4


Objectives of the course Introduction to the experimental study of animal physiology.

Prerequisites None

Course contents The experimental animal. Determinations of biological

substrates. Ultracentifugation. Electrophysiology: general

aspects. Measurements of physiological parameters in

human. The use of radioactive substances in Physiology.

Radioimmunoassay of hormones. Quantitative

autoradiography: imaging and quantification of receptors,

enzymes, transporters and systems of second messengers.

Presentation of a topic in Physiology.





Course title Fauna of Greece



Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Iliopoulou-Georgudakis J., Professor

Giagia-Athanasopoulou E., Associate Professor

Chondropoulos B., Associate Professor

Fraguedakis-Tsolis S., Associate Professor


Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on the most important elements of

Greek fauna.

Prerequisites None

Course contents The richness of Greek fauna. The effects of geology,

palaeogeography and palaeoclimatology on the origin

and evolution of the Greek fauna. Endemism. Speciation

in Greece. Patterns of horizontal and vertical distribution

of animal taxa in Greece. The influence of environmental

conditions. The present status and the future of the Greek

fauna and conservation issues. Presentation of the best-

studied taxa of the Greek terrestrial vertebrates and

invertebrates.


2. Karandeinos M (ed.) 1992. The Red Data Book of

Threatened Vertebrates of Greece. Hellenic Zoological

Society – Hellenic Ornithological Society.




Course title Flora of Greece

Course code 11HE17


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Kamari G., Professor

Tzanoudakis D., Professor

Artelari P., Associate Professor

Iatrou G., Associate Professor

Christodoulakis D., Professor

Georgiou O., Assistant Professor

Livaniou-Tiniakou A., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Special characteristics of the Greek flora.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Greek Flora. Biodiversity and historical evolution of the

Greek flora. Analysis of the floristic elements of Greece.

Endemism in the Greek flora. Rare and threatened

species of the Greek flora. Important plant taxa (families,

genera, species) as representatives of the Greek flora.

Insular, mountain, wetland, coastal and urban flora. Plant

species which characterise the different vegetation belts

of Greece.



Multimedia displays



Course title Food Chemistry and Technology

Course code 11CΔ04


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Koutinas A., Professor

Kanellaki M., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on the chemistry and technology of

food processing.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Food industry. Production of sugar containing syrups.

Sugar and molasses production. Industry of glucose and

starch. Orange juice industry. Fats and oil industry. Meat

industry and technology. Milk technology. Potable

alcohol production. Alcoholic beverages. Beer

production. Wine making: industrial production of some

kinds of wine, thermal treatment of must, aging of wines,

volatile byproducts, bioreactors in ethanol fermentation.

Laboratory exercises in food analysis and wine

preparation. Food microbiology and preservation.

Recommended reading 1. Food Chemistry and Technology ', A.A.Koutinas-

M.Kanellaki,Edition 2005 (in Greek)

2. Food Chemistry', Belitz and Grosch




Course title Foreign language: English

Course code 11BY05

Type of course Compulsory (one foreign language)

Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer

Objectives of the course Scientific terminology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Scientific terminology

Recommended reading



Language of instruction English

Course title Foreign language: French

Course code 11BY06


Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer


Prerequisites None


Recommended reading



Language of instruction French

Course title Foreign language: German

Course code 11BY07


Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer


Prerequisites None


Recommended reading



Language of instruction German

Course title Foreign language: Italian

Course code 11BY08


Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer


Prerequisites None


Recommended reading



Language of instruction Italian

Course title Foreign language: Russian

Course code 11BY09


Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer


Prerequisites None


Recommended reading



Language of instruction Russian

Course title General Chemistry

Course code 11AY01


Year of study 1

Semester Fall

Number of credits 6

Name of lecturer Sotiropoulos D., Assistant Professor

Soupioni M., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to General Chemistry

Prerequisites None

Course contents Atoms and Molecules. Chemical calculations. The

properties of gases. Chemical reactions and energy. The

Quantum theory and the hydrogen atom. Electronic

structure and periodic properties of atoms. Ionic

compounds. Lewis formulas. The shapes of molecules.

Bonding in molecules. Liquids and solids. The chemistry

of water. Solutions. Chemical equilibrium. Rates and

mechanisms of chemical reactions. Acids and bases.

Titrations, buffers and polyprotic acids. Solubility and

precipitation reactions. Electrochemical cells. Entropy and

Gibbs free energy. Transition metal complexes. Complex

compounds. The chemistry of the atmosphere. Experiments

in General and Analytical chemistry.

Recommended reading 1. Γενική Χημεία, Ebbing and Gammon, 6η Έκδοζη

Μετάυραση: Νικόλαος Κλούρας, Δκδοηικός Οίκος Π.

Σρασλός, Αθήνα 2002

2. Γενική Υημεία, Δργαζηηριαές Αζκήζεις για Βιολόγοσς,

Δ. Μάνεζη-Εούπα, Γ. Ράπηης, Πάηρα 2004




Course title Genetics I

Course code 11DΤ03


Year of study 2

Semester Spring

Number of credits 7


Stamatis N., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Mendelian analysis, chromosomal and gene mutations.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Mendelian analysis. Chromosome theory of inheritance.

Extensions to Mendelian analysis. Linkage I: Basic

eukaryotic chromosome mapping. Linkage II: Special

eukaryotic chromosome mapping techniques.

Chromosome mutation: Changes in chromosome number

and structure. Genetics of bacteria and viruses.

Pharmacogenetics.

Recommended reading “Genetics” by P. Russell.




Course title Genetics IΗ

Course code 11ΔΤ01


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7


Yannopoulos G., Professor

Objectives of the course The nature of the gene. DNA function. Gene mutation.

Prerequisites None

Course contents The structure of DNA. The nature of the gene. DNA

function. Recombinant DNA. Applications of

recombinant DNA. Control of gene expression. Gene

mutation, recombination and DNA repair. Transposable

genetic elements. The extranuclear genome. Genetic

control of development. Quantitative genetics.

Pharmacogenetics. Genes and behaviour.

Recommended reading “Introduction to Genetic Analysis” by A. Griffiths et al.




Course title Geobotany



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5


Christodoulakis D., Professor

Objectives of the course Distribution and evolutionary course of the plants from

their first appearance on earth till now in correlation with

the geological history.

Prerequisites None

Course contents I. FLORISTIC GEOBOTANY or PLANT CHOROLOGY:

Geographical plant distribution: forms, values,

presentations, interpretations and factors influencing them.

Endemism: Paleo- and neoendemism. Cytotaxonomical

aspect of endemism. Biodiversity and endemism of the

Greek flora. Phytogeographical relations. Centres of plant

evolution. Floristic kingdoms-regions of the world.

Vegetation types of Greece.

II. HISTORICAL GEOBOTANY: Plant fossils.

Palinology. Interpretation of the floras evolution. Historical

evolution of floras, especially of the Greek flora: Algae-,

Fern-, Gymnosperm- and Angiosperm Era. Climatical

effects on plants.

Recommended reading 1. Phitos D & Kamari G 2006. Geobotany. Patras University

Press.

2. Ehrendorfer F 1991. Geobotanik. In: Strasburger,

Lehrbuch der Botanik. Ulmer, Stuttgart.


Multimedia displays



Course title Human Genetics - Clinical Genetics

Course code 11HB2


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Stephanou G., Professor

Objectives of the course Human genetic diseases

Prerequisites None

Course contents Chromosomes. Numerical and structural chromosomal

aberrations. Genetics of development. Sex determination.

Genetics of blood groups. Hemoglobin genes.

Thalassemias. Metabolism and disease. Inborn errors of

metabolism. Genetics of immunity. Genetic counselling.

Recommended reading “Human Molecular Genetics” by T. Strachan & A. Read

Teaching methods Lectures, Multimedia displays



Course title Ichthyology

Course code 11ΔΔ02


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 6



Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on fish and fisheries biology.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction to Ichthyology. Fish morphology and

anatomy. Movement in water medium, respiration and

growth. Reproduction, feeding, osmoregulation. The fish

fauna of fresh- and marine waters. Greek and

Mediterranean fish fauna. Fisheries and management of

fish fauna. Current issues in fish biology.


2. Moyle PB & Cech JJ 2004. Fishes. An Introduction to

Ichthyology. Fifth edition. Prentice-Hall Inc.

3. Bond CE 1996. Biology of Fishes. 2nd

edition. Thomson

Learning Inc.




Course title Immunobiology



Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Fraguedakis-Tsolis S., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to the principles and methods of

immunobiology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Cells and organs of the immune system. Antigens-

immunologic properties of antigens – factors that

influence the heterogenicity. Immunoglobulin: basic

structure, antigenic determinants on immunoglobulins.

Antigen-antibody interactions. Monoclonal antibodies.

Organization and expression of immunoglobulin genes.

Major histocompatibility complex. T-cell receptors. Cell-

mediate immunity. Immune regulation and tolerance.

The Complement system. Autoimmunity. Immune

response to infection diseases. Viral infections, bacterial

infections, Protozoan diseases, diseases caused by

parasitic worms. The immune system in AIDS.

Recommended reading 1. Abbas AK, Lichtman AH Βασική Ανοσολογία.

Μεηάθραζη Μ. αμάρκος, Ηαηρικές Δκδόζεις

Παζταλίδης

2. Kuby J Immunology 3rd Ed.




Course title Instrumental Analysis of Biomolecules

Course code 11CΔ02


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Mintzas A., Associate Professor

Psarianos K., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Methods of biomolecular analysis

Prerequisites None

Course contents Centrifugation, Electrophoresis, Chromatography,

Spectrophotometry and Genetic Engineering.

Recommended reading 1. “Physical Biochemistry” by: Friefelder D

2. “Gene Cloning” by: Brown TA




Course title Introduction to Didactics of Science

Course code 11DΔ03


Year of study 2

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer

Objectives of the course Principles ad methods of science teaching

Prerequisites None

Course contents Teaching of science as educational and epistemological

choice. The didactic contract. Didactic transposition and

social practices reference. Epistemological and

psychological frames of approach to the representation of

concepts and phenomena in science. The mental

construction of models in science.

Recommended reading




Course title Mapping-Remote Sensing

Course code 11ΥΑΡΣ


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 3

Name of lecturer

Objectives of the course Basic methods of mapping and telemetry.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction to Mapping. Map types. Map- types, colours

and symbols. Classical mapping. Electronic Geographic

Information Systems. Methods and procedures of

mapping. Examples of vegetation mapping. Ecological

information on maps. Vegetation and landscape maps.

Recommended reading




Course title Marine Ecology

Course code 11ΕΑ1


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4


Fragopoulu N., Associate Professor


Objectives of the course Introduction to the ecology of marine ecosystems

Prerequisites None

Course contents Ecological classification of marine environment. Elements

of physical and chemical oceanography. Benthic and

planktonic communities. Necton. Coastal and pelagic

ecosystems. Pelagic productivity. Management of fish

populations.

Recommended reading 1. Nybakken JW 2005. Marine Biology – An Ecological

Approach.

2. Lalli CM & Parsons TR 1977. Biological Oceanography

- An Introduction. 2nd Edition. Butterworth-Heinemann




Course title Mathematics

Course code 11ΑΤ03


Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Arvanitogeorgos A., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to Mathematics

Prerequisites None

Course contents Functions. Limits. Continuity. Differentiation and

derivatives. Exponential and logarithmic functions.

Trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, Mean

value theorem. Rolle‟s theorem. Taylov series. L‟ Hospital‟s

rule. Monotonicity. Stationary points, Riemann integral.

Methods of integration. Ordinary differential equations,

O.D.Es of separated variables. Linear O.D.Es of first order.

Linear O.D.Es of second order homogeneous with constant

coefficients. Initial and boundary value problems.

Recommended reading 1. Sakkalis PG. Calculus and Real Algebra

2. Siafarikas P. Applications of Ordinary Differential

Equations




Course title Microbiology

Course code 11ΕΤ02


Year of study 2

Semester Fall

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Aggelis G., Associate Professor.

Objectives of the course Principles of microbiology

Prerequisites None

Course contents History of Microbiology. Principles of microscopy.

Structure of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.

Microbiological methods. Principles of microbial

taxonomy. Dynamics of microbial growth. Microbial

genetics and metabolism. Representative groups of

micro-organisms.

Recommended reading Microbial Physiology, Albert G. Moat, John W. Foster,

Michael P. Spector.




Course title Molecular Biology I

Course code 11DΤ02


Year of study 2

Semester Spring

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Dimitriadis G., Professor

Katsoris P., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course The genetic material: Structure and topology of nucleic acids.

Genetic engineering

Prerequisites None

Course contents The genetic material: Structure and topology of nucleic acids.

Organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome:

Repetitive and non repetitive DNA. Structure of genes. Role

of introns. Chromatin and chromosomes: The packaging of

DNA. Nucleosomes. Active and non-active chromatin.

Methylation of DNA. DNA replication: Replication in

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Mechanisms of replication.

Initiation, elongation and termination process. Genetic

engineering: Restriction enzymes. Plasmids and phages as

cloning vectors. Construction of DNA and genomic libraries.

Recommended reading Molecular biology of the cell. (H Lodish et al.)




Course title Molecular Biology II

Course code 11EY05


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Mintzas A., Associate Professor

Flytzanis K., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Transcription and translation machinery. Regulation f

gene expression.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Transcription: The transfer of DNA sequence

information to RNA, structure and expression of

prokaryotic genes, RNA processing in prokaryotes,

structure and expression of eukaryotic genes, RNA

processing in eukaryotes, introns and splicing.

Translation: The genetic code, the translation machinery,

mRNA translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Regulation of Gene Expression: Transcriptional - post

transcriptional and translational regulation of gene

expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, structure and

function of regulatory elements and transcription factors

Recommended reading Genes VIII (A & B), B. Lewin




Course title Neurobiology



Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4






Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on Neurobiology.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Neural and glial cells. Synapses. Plasticity of neural

connections. Axonal flow and transport.

Neurotransmission. Neurotransmitters and their

receptors. Development of central nervous system.

Physiology of movement. Higher brain functions.

Biorhythms.

Recommended reading 1. Lecture notes

2. Kandel ER, Schwartz JH & Jessel TM 1995.

Essentials of Neural Science and Behavior. Appleton and

Lange




Course title Organic Chemistry



Year of study 1

Semester Fall

Number of credits 6

Name of lecturer Tsegenidis Th., Professor

Tsivgoulis G., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Prerequisites None

Course contents Families of organic compounds, functional groups and

nomenclature. Atomic structures of the carbon, hydrogen,

oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen atoms. Chemical bonds and

molecular structure. Stereochemistry. Inductive effect and

resonance. Types of reagents, reactions and mechanisms.

Hydrocarbons. Alkyl halides. Alcohols. Ethers. Sulfur

compounds. Amines. Aldehydes and ketones. Carboxylic

acids and derivatives. Heterocyclic compounds.

Carbohydrates. Amino acids and proteins. Nucleotides and

nucleic acids. Lipids.

Recommended reading 1. Odian G & Blei I 1994. THEORY AND PROBLEMS OF

GENERAL ORGANIC AND BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY.

Mc Graw Hill.

2. Taylor G 1978. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 2nd

Ed.

Longman G.L.

3. Mc Murry J 2005. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 6th

Ed.

Brooks / Cole, Cornel.




Course title Philosophy of Life and Environmental Ethics

Course code 11ΖΑ1


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 3


Objectives of the course Basic principles of the philosophy of life and

introduction to environmental ethics.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Man and nature. Geometric and organic conception of

nature. The rupture with cartesian mechanism: the notion

of living being according to evolutionary philosophy.

Life as a “creative evolution”. Life and temporality.

Necessity and contingency. Environmental Ethics and the

“imperative of responsibility”. The rights of nature.

Recommended reading 1. Nash RF 1989. The Rights of Nature. A History of

Environmental Ethics. The University of Wisconsin

Press.

2. Bergson H 1970. L’évolution créatrice. (3e éd.). In

Oeuvres, Paris, P.U.F.

4. Jonas H 1984. The Imperative of Responsibility. The

University of Chicago Press.




Course title Philosophy of Science

Course code 11ΑΔ01


Year of study 2

Semester Fall

Number of credits 2


Objectives of the course Basic principles of philosophy of science and the scientific

method.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Positivism and K. Popper ‟s evolutionary conception of

knowledge. Inductive and deductive method. Principle of

“verification” and principle of “falsification”. Rationality,

objectivity and creative freedom. Critical rationalism

against dogmatism. K. Popper and Th. Kuhn: the conflict

between two types of epistemology.

Recommended reading 1. Popper K 1983. “Epistemology without a knowing

subject”, in Objective Knowledge. An Evolutionary

Approach, Oxford, Clarendon Press.

2. Kuhn T 1987 (2nd ed.). The Structure of Scientific

Revolutions. Chicago, The University of Chicago.

3. Chalmers AF (1978-1992). What is this thing called

Science? An assessment of the nature and status of science

and its methods. Queensland Press.

4. Engel P 1998. La vérité. Réflections sur quelques

truisms. Paris, Hatier.




Course title Photosynthesis



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Manetas Y., Professor

Petropoulou Y., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Photosynthesis

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction: importance of photosynthesis. Structure of

photosynthetic apparatus: organization of biomolecules

in the chloroplastic membranes. Chlorophyll and

carotenoid biosynthesis. Permeability of chloroplastic

membranes, export of biomolecules from the chloroplast.

Other assimilation pathways in the chloroplast. Internal

regulation of photosynthesis, co-ordination and detuning

of photochemical and biochemical reactions. Scavenging

of toxic species of the “light reactions”. Photoinhibition.

Energy redistribution, excitation-energy dissipation,

xanthophyll cycle. The role of photorespiration. Bacterial

photosynthesis. Evolution of photosynthesis.

Recommended reading Plant Physiology Taiz-Zeiger 4th

edition




Course title Phylogeny of the Higher Plants



Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Tzanoudakis D., Professor

Objectives of the course Diversity of plants. Speciation and Phylogeny in plants

Prerequisites None

Course contents Estimating and explaining plant diversity, natural

selection, adaptation, diversity and taxonomy.

Speciation: isolating mechanisms, input and

establishment of a species. Phylogeny: from the lower to

the higher plants. Homology and homologous structures.

Phylogenetic distances and phylogenetic trees.

Establishment of vascular plants

Recommended reading 1. Tzanoudakis D 2006. Evolutionary routes and

phylogenetic relationships of the higher plants. Lecture

notes.

2. Bell P & Woodcoce C 1983. The diversity of green

plants.

3. Hanson ED 1981. Understanding Evolution. Oxford.

4. Stebbins L 1974. Flowering plants, evolution above the

species level.




Course title Physical Chemistry

Course code 11CΔ06


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 3

Name of lecturer Symeopoulos V., Assistant Professor

Papaefthymiou H., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Fundamental principles on Thermodynamics and

Kinetics

Prerequisites None

Course contents Scientific Method

Formulating a theory starting from empirical laws. The

Ideal Gas Law as an outcome of Scientific Method.

Interpretation of empirical laws and predictions of ideal

gas behavior. Real gasses (virial and van der Waals

equations)

Thermodynamics

What is Thermodynamics, Basic definitions needed to

describe thermodynamic systems, Work, Internal energy

and the First Law of Thermodynamics, The principle of

maximum Entropy and the second Law of

Thermodynamics, Equilibrium conditions, spontaneous

changes and equilibrium, Legendre‟s transformations.

Definition and properties of new thermodynamic

functions (F, H and G), Thermodynamic degrees of

freedom, Gibbs-Duhem equation, Phase diagrams of

pure substances and ideal solutions, Applying the ideal

solution model to binary solutions, The freezing point

depression and boiling point elevation, Osmotic pressure,

The temperature composition diagram and fractional

distillation.

Chemical kinetics

Definition of the rate of reaction. Rate laws and rate

constants. Reaction order and molecularity. Temperature

dependence of reaction rates. Collision theory. Activated

complex theory).

Kinetics of enzymic reactions

The Michaelis-Menten mechanism. Factors affecting

rates of enzymic reactions.

Recommended reading “Physical Chemistry” by G. Karaiskakis, eds: P. Travlos,

Athens, 1998 (in Greek).




Course title Physics

Course code 11AY04


Year of study 1

Semester Fall

Number of credits 6

Name of lecturer Vomvas A., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to Physics-Laboratory Courses

Prerequisites None

Course contents Electromagnetism, Electronic Instruments, Light: Nature,

Propagation and Absorption, Reflection – Refraction-

Polarization, Interference-Diffraction, Optical

Instruments, Atoms and Molecules, Interaction of

Radiation and Matter, Radioactivity

Recommended reading Ζ.Young: Physics, Volume Β ΄

Halliday-Resnick: Physics, Volume Β΄

Serway: Physics, Volumes ΗΗΗ and ΗV




Course title Plant Ecophysiology



Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 4



Grammatikopoulos G., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to General Chemistry

Prerequisites None

Course contents Plants and the abiotic environment: biochemical,

physiological and anatomical responses to changes in

light, temperature, salinity, soil chemistry, water

availability and anoxia. Possible impact of air pollution

and climate change on plants. Plants and the biotic

environment: biochemistry and phisiology of defense and

symbioses. Ecophysiology of flowering and pollination.

Recommended reading Larcher W 1995. Physiological Plant Ecology Springer.




Course title Plant Morphology



Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 8



Psaras G., Professor

Objectives of the course Plant cell biology, tissues and organs.

Prerequisites None

Course contents The importance of plants in ecosystems. Cell structure.

Morphology and division ways of the nucleus (mitosis,

amitosis, endomitosis, meiosis). Polyploidy in plant

organisms. The differentiated plant cell. Types of plant

cels and tissues. Morphology and anatomy of plant

organs (stem, root, leaf, flower). Organs and ways of

reproduction

Recommended reading 1. Psaras G, Tiniakou A & Kamari G 2002. Plant

Morphology. Part I: Basic knowledge, Part II: Plants

under microscope. Patras University Press.

2. Aivalakis G, Karabourniotis G & Fasseas K 2005.

General Botany. EMBRYO Press.

3. Mauseth JD 1991. Botany. 2nd

edition. Saunders

College Publishing.

4. Dickinson WC 2000. Integrative Plant Anatomy.

Harcourt Academic Press.

5. Stern KR 1994. Introductory Plant Biology. WCB

Publishers.

Teaching methods Lectures, Laboratory exercises, Multimedia displays



Course title Plant Physiology

Course code 11EY04


Year of study 3

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7



Grammatikopoulos G., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Introduction to Plant Physiology theory and methods

Prerequisites None

Course contents Water relations of cells and the whole plant. Transpiration.

The ascent of sap and translocation of solutes. Photosynthesis:

light reactions and CO2 assimilation. Mineral nutrition.

Growth, development and morphogenesis.

Photomorphogenesis, photoperiodism and the phytochrome

system. Hormonal and environmental control of growth.

Physiological and biochemical ecology. Plant defence and the

ecological relationships of plants with their biotic

environment.

Recommended reading Ridge I. 2005. Plants, Plant Physiology Taiz-Zeiger 4th

edition




Course title Radiobiology

Course code 11SΣΒ2


Year of study 3

Semester Spring

Number of credits 2

Name of lecturer Papaefthymiou H., Assistant Professor

Symeopoulos V., Assistant Professor

Soupioni M., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on the science of Radiobiology

Prerequisites None

Course contents Ionizing radiations – radioisotopes. Effects of ionizing

radiation on biological systems. Dosimetry. Ionizing

radiation counting. Ionizing radiation and biological

systems. Radioprotection. Radio diagnostic -

Radiotherapy.


2. Kiefer J 1985. Biological Radiation Effects. Springer-

Verlag.




Course title Special Course in Human Physiology



Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Margarity M., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Basic knowledge on the physiology of man.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Special aspects of human physiology such as:

Mechanisms of atherosclerosis and protection,

immunological properties of the skin, artificial organs,

pathophysiology of organic systems, regulation of food

intake, diseases related to feeding. Recent developments

in human physiology. Presentation of a topic.





Course title Special Topics of Cell and Molecular Biology

Course code 11ΕΒ2


Year of study 4

Semester Fall

Number of credits 4

Name of lecturer Katsoris P., Associate Professor

Lambropoulou M., Associate Professor

Mintzas A., Associate Professor

Flytzanis K., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course Interactions among cells – Gene regulation

Prerequisites None

Course contents Cell to cell interactions. Cell to ECM interactions. Cell

communications. Signal transduction mechanisms. Antibodies

and their receptors. T-Cell receptors and MHC molecules. The

generation of antibodies diversity. Antigen recognition. Cell

cooperation in the antibody response. Regulation of the

immune response. Vaccination. Immunological techniques.

Transcriptional factors, regulatory elements and gene

regulation. Model systems of gene regulation.

Recommended reading Genes VIII (A & B), B. Lewin




Course title Systematic Botany

Course code 11SΤ03


Year of study 2

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Artelari P., Associate Professor

Georgiou O., Assistant Professor

Objectives of the course Divisions of spore plants, their reproduction and

significance.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Genealogical tree of living creatures and position of the

spore plants (Cryptogams) within it. Grades of

morphological organization of the plants. Reproductive

mechanisms of the spore plants. Taxonomy and

nomenclature. Divisions of spore plants. Significance of

the spore plants from an ecological and economic point

of view.

Recommended reading 1. Phitos D 1998. Systematic Botany. Patras University

Press.

2.Mauseth JD 1995. Botany: An Introduction to Plant

Biology 2nd

edition. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

3. Moore R, Clark WD & Stern KR 1995. Botany.

Toronto Wm. C. Brown publishers.

4. Raven PH, Evert RF & Eichhorn SE 1999. Biology of

plants. 6th

edition. W.H. Freeman and Company/Worth

Publishers.




Course title Taxonomy of Spermatophytes

Course code 11DΤ04


Year of study 2

Semester Spring

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Iatrou G., Associate Professor

Objectives of the course General characters and taxonomy of Spermatophytes,

description of the more important families with medicinal,

economic and biological interest for man.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Principles of plant taxonomy. Spermatophytes. Subdivision

Coniferophytina. General morphological and taxonomic

characters. Subdivision Cycadophytina. Subdivision

Angiospermophytina. Flowers and inflorescences.

Fertilization. Fruits: types, formation. Class Dicotyledoneae.

Selected families with medicinal, economic and biological

interest.

Recommended reading 1. Iatrou G 2006. Systematics of Spermatophytes-Part A΄:

Theory, Part B΄: Identification keys of the Greek plants.

University Academic lectures.

2. Stace CA 1991. Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics.

3. Heywood VH 1993. Flowering Plants of the World.


Multimedia displays



Course title Vegetation Ecology



Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Georgiadis Th., Professor


Papastergiadou E., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Definition and description of plant units, abiotic-biotic

factors interactions, succession of vegetation, mediterranea

type ecosystems.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction to Ecology and vegetation. The structure and

dynamics of plant communities. Relations between

organisms and their environment. Plant life forms.

Bioclimatic and vegetation belts. Potential plant ecology.

Succesion of Vegetation. Mediterranean type ecosystems

and fire. Phytoecological Mapping.

Recommended reading 1. Γεωργιάδης Θ 2006. Οικολογία Βλάστησης. Δκδόζεις

Παν/μίοσ Παηρών.

2. Barbour M, Burk J & Pitts W 1980. Terrestrial Plant

Ecology. Menlo Park, California.

3. Dobson M & Frid C 1998. Ecology of Aquatic Systems.

Longman Ltd. 215pp.

4. Moss B 1999. Ecology of freshwaters. Blackwell Science,

6th Edition.


Multimedia displays



Course title Zoogeography

Course code 11ΖΑ2


Year of study 4

Semester Spring

Number of credits 5

Name of lecturer Giagia-Athanasopoulou E., Associate Professor


Giokas S., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Principles of historical and ecological zoogeography.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Distributional patterns of animals. Island biogeography.

Ecological and historical zoogeography. Zoogeography

of Greece.


2. Brown JH & Lomolino MV 1998. Biogeography.

Second Edition. Sinauer Associates.

3. Whittaker R. 1998. Island Biogeography. Oxford

University Press.


Assessment methods Homework assignment and written exams at the end of

semester


Course title Zoology I



Year of study 1

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Giagia-Athanasopoulou E., Associate Professor

Fragopoulu N., Assistant Professor


Klossa-Kilia E., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Introduction to Zoology and knowledge of Protozoa and

the first animal phyla.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Introduction to Zoology. Nomenclature of animals.

Animal reproduction and ontogeny. Animal tissues.

External morphology, organization, systematics and

evolution of „Protozoa‟, Porifera, Cnidaria,

Platyhelminthes and Pseudocoelomate phyla.

Recommended reading Hickman CP, Roberts LS & Larson A. (2001) Integrated

Principles of Zoology, 11th

edition. McGraw-Hill.




Course title Zoology II



Year of study 1

Semester Spring

Number of credits 7

Name of lecturer Fragopoulu N., Assistant Professor

Giokas S., Lecturer

Klossa-Kilia E., Lecturer


Objectives of the course Knowledge of most invertebrate phyla.

Prerequisites None

Course contents External morphology, organization, systematics and

evolution of Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda,

Lophophorate phyla and Echinodermata.

Recommended reading Hickman CP, Roberts LS & Larson A 2001. Integrated

Principles of Zoology, 11th

edition. McGraw-Hill.




Course title Zoology III

Course code 11CΤ02


Year of study 2

Semester Fall

Number of credits 7


Chondropoulos B., Associate Professor

Fraguedakis-Tsolis S., Associate Professor


Stamatopoulos C., Lecturer

Objectives of the course Knowledge of Chordata.

Prerequisites None

Course contents Morphological characteristics of the phylum Chordata

(chordates). Evolutionary differentiation from the non-

chordate animals. External morphology and internal

structure. Life history and taxonomy of the subphyla

Urochordata (urochordates, tunicates) and

Cephalochordata (cephalochordates, acranians).

Morphological characteristics and evolutionary

differentiation of their organic systems of the subphylum

Vertebrata (vertebrates). External morphology and

internal structure. Life history and taxonomy of the

classes Agnatha (agnathans, jawless fish),

Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish), Osteichthyes (bony

fish), Amphibia (amphibians), Reptilia (reptiles), Aves

(birds) and Mammalia (mammals). Phylogenetic

relationships.

Recommended reading 1. Hickman CP, Roberts LS & Larson A 2001.

Integrated Principles of Zoology, 11th

edition. McGraw-

Hill.

2. Liem KF, Bemis WE, Walker WF & Grande L 2001.

Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates. An Evolutionary

Perspective. 3rd

Ed. Thomson, Brooks/Cole, USA

3. Pough H, Janis CM & Heiser JB 2005. Vertebrate

Life. 7th

Ed. Pearson, Prentice Hall




Access to further studies

Students graduating from the Department of Biology can continue with post-

graduate studies in all fields related to the biological sciences. Our Department offers

a post-graduate program leading to a Master‟s degree either in Ecology –

Management and Conservation of the Natural Environment or in Biological

Technology. Both degrees demand two semesters with courses plus a minimum of one

year research project.

In addition, our Department participates in three more post-graduate programs,

two of which within the University of Patras, offering a Master‟s degree in

Environmental Sciences and Bioinformatics, respectively, and the third in

collaboration with the University of Ioannina, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, offering a Master‟s degree in Sustainable

Management of Protected Areas.

Students with these Master‟s degrees can also continue their post-graduate

studies for a doctoral thesis (PhD) in Biology with reference to the specific topic of

the theses. In exceptional cases, students have also the possibility to start their studies

for a PhD directly, following also a number of the post-graduate program courses.

Admission requirements

Students with a diploma in Biology or other related scientific field from either

Greece or other country can apply for the post-graduate studies‟ program leading to a

Master thesis once a year (around August-September) after the publication of the

respective call. Applicants are asked for an interview in front of the responsible

department‟s committee (around the first week of October). The criteria used for the

final ranking of applicants include the following:

The Department and the University of undergraduate studies.

Diploma‟s grade and time of graduation.

Grades in courses related to the subject of the respective post-graduate

program.

The conclusion of a diploma thesis within the topics included in the

respective post-graduate program.

The possible research activity of the applicant.

Knowledge of at least one foreign language for Greek applicants (preferably

English) or knowledge of Greek language for foreigners.

The skilfulness in apprehension and translation of a scientific text on a

biological topic written in a foreign language.

The overall results of the interview.

Letters of recommendation.

The calls for PhD theses are announced twice a year.

The postgraduate studies‟ program for a Master thesis lasts for a minimum of 4

and a maximum of 6 semesters. The minimum duration of a PhD thesis research is 3

years and the maximum is 8 years.

During the first two semesters, the students have to follow advanced courses

that may include laboratory and field work, for a total of 240 teaching hours. Students

coming from departments other than biological may be asked to follow also certain

undergraduate courses to a maximum number of 50% of those included in the

postgraduate program.

During the second year (semesters 3 and 4), each student has to conduct an

original research project under the surveillance of a faculty member (supervisor). The

resulting thesis is assessed by a 3-members committee that includes the supervisor.

Students directly starting their research for a PhD thesis must choose to follow 5

post-graduate courses. These are selected together with the 3-members advisory

committee that is appointed by the General Assembly of the Department. Students

coming from departments other than Biology, may be asked to follow also up to 4

additional undergraduate courses.

There are two exam periods for each course (the first at the end of each semester

and the second in September). In case of failure, the student must follow the respective

courses during the next semester. In case of a second failure the student is expelled

from the postgraduate program.

All PhD theses are presented in front of a 7-members committee appointed by

the General Assembly of the Department.

The final grade of the Master‟s diploma is determined as the sum of the grades

in each course plus 5 times the grade of the research project.

The maximum annual number of postgraduate students (Master degree) is 20

and 10 for a PhD thesis.

Courses offered:

A. Ecology – Management and Conservation of the Natural Environment

Semester 1

Compulsory courses

Sampling design and analysis of environmental data (Koutsikopoulos, Somarakis) -

26hrs, 6 ECTS credits

Biogeography (Iatrou, Kamari, Christodoulakis, Sfenthourakis, Chondropoulos,

Giagia-Athanasopoulou) – 32hrs, 6 ECTS credits

Pollution and Ecotoxicology (Iliopoulou-Georgudakis) – 26hrs, 6 ECTS credits

Elective courses (all 26hrs, 6 ECTS credits)

Economics of natural resources and the environment (Skouras)

Population dynamics of fishes and fisheries management (Koutsikopoulos,

Somarakis)

Ecological models (Koutsikopoulos)

Environmental physiology of animals (Matsokis, Giompres, Margarity, Dermon)

Agriculture and environment – alternative cultivation methods (Angelopoulos)

Semester 2

Compulsory courses

Biological diversity (Artelari, Georgiou, Iatrou, Kamari, Tiniakou, Tzanoudakis,

Christodoulakis, Papastergiadou, Chondropoulos, Giagia-Athanasopoulou,

Fraguedakis-Tsolis) – 39hrs, 7 ECTS credits

Ecology and management of natural areas (Artelari, Georgiadis, Georgiou,

Papastergiadou, Tiniakou, Tzanoudakis, Fragopoulu) – 39hrs, 7 ECTS credits

Environmental impact assessment (Iliopoulou-Georgudakis) – 26hrs, 6 ECTS

credits


Management of liquid and solid waste (Tsonis)

Environmental laws (Nikolopoulos)

Global climate change and its impact on plants (Grammatikopoulos, Manetas,

Petropoulou, Psaras, Levizou)

Aquaculture (Kaspiris, Koumoundouros)

Semesters 3 & 4

Research project (30 ECTS credits per semester, total 60)

B. Biological Technology

Semester 1

Compulsory courses

Topics in molecular biology (Mintzas,Flytzanis) – 35hrs, 8 ECTS credits

Molecular genetics (Giannopoulos, Stamatis) – 20hrs, 5 ECTS credits

Genetic analysis and applications (Alahiotis, Dimopoulos, Kilias, Stefanou) –

15hrs, 4 ECTS credits

Microbial biotechnology (Kaliafas, Aggelis) – 15hrs, 4 ECTS credits

Rotations (in both semesters) – 45hrs, 5 ECTS credits in each semester (total 10)


Biochemistry of oxidization stress (Georgiou)

Molecular developmental biology (Zagris)

Applications of genetics in the control of parasitic insects (Mintzas)

Genetic toxicology (Dimopoulos, Stefanou)

Semester 2

Compulsory courses

Topics in cell biology (Lambropoulou, Katsoris) – 35hrs, 7 ECTS credits

Molecular physiology and neurobiology (Matsokis, Giompres, Margarity, Dermon,

Panagopoulos) – 30hrs, 5 ECTS credits

Gene therapy (Dimitriadis, Sotiropoulou) – 15hrs, 3 ECTS credits


Special topics in evolutionary biology (Alahiotis, Giannopoulos, Kefaliakou, Kilias)

Diagnostic methods and therapeutic perspectives in neurobiology (Matsokis,

Giompres, Margarity, Dermon, Panagopoulos)

Immunoresponse (Mouzaki)

Semesters 3 & 4

Research project (30 ECTS credits per semester, total 60)

Documents

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY - Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών · The Department of Biology belongs to the School of Sciences of the University ... Ecotoxicology. ... lecture notes,