1. Why should I choose the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus for my first degree?
The Undergraduate Programme of Studies (P.P.S.) of the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus provides students with all the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a successful career in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Through courses and workshops, students are taught all the necessary techniques and technologies for the design, development and management of digital systems and services. The undergraduate programme emphasizes programming, information systems, databases, telecommunication systems and networks, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computer systems and web services such as e-learning, e-health and e-government. The Department’s research laboratories undertake a large number of European and national projects and experienced faculty members of the Department transfer research knowledge to the courses of the programme
2. What is the duration of studies ?
Studies have a duration of eight (8) semesters and corresponds to 240 credits of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
3. Are there any majors ?
Yes, at the beginning of the third year of studies and after having completed 22 core courses, students choose one of the following 3 majors:
- Telecommunications & Networks
- Software & Data Systems
- Computational Infrastructures & Services
Each major consists of 5 compulsory courses taught from the 5th to the 8th semester, which delve deeper into the specific scientific field. There are also 8 elective courses which can be selected from the compulsory and elective courses of all majors. Some electives delve deeper into the 2 cross-cutting fields of study below listed below:
- Security
- Pedagogical & Teaching Skills
6 courses from the Pedagogical & Teaching Skills major give Pedagogical and Teaching Competency to graduates of the Department of Digital Systems.
4. Which courses will I take in the Department?
The courses taught in the Department are divided into three categories:
General core courses – A set of 29 compulsory courses for all students covering basic knowledge and skills in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
Compulsory elective courses – A set of 5 compulsory courses for all students in each of the provided majors.
Free choice courses – A set of 8 courses offered to students in each of the provided majors.
Thesis – Undertaken during the 7th and 8th semesters and is equivalent to two courses.
According to the law, the Department’s curriculum is updated every academic year to incorporate new courses and workshops in cutting-edge technologies.
5. Who are the members of the Teaching – Research Staff of the Department?
The Department currently employs 24 faculty members (Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors) who are involved in various fields of ICT. Indicative subjects of the faculty members of the Department are: Information Systems, Databases, Software Engineering, Network Centric Information Systems, Distributed Systems, Information Systems and Network Security, Web Services Systems, Intelligent Multimedia Systems, High Speed Networks and Intelligent Networks, Digital Communication Systems, Satellite and Wireless Communications, Broadband Communication Systems, Mobile Communication Networks, Virtual Learning and Teaching Environments, e-Health Systems on the Web.
6. Are modern and innovative educational methods used in the teaching of the course?
The Department uses modern and innovative pedagogical and teaching methods that fully exploit the potential of new information and communication technologies. In particular, all courses have an electronic page in the Department’s e-class where articles, audiovisual material of lectures and web addresses for useful information as well as exercises for students’ practice are posted in electronic form. Case studies, example problems and methods of solving them are also presented.
7. Does the Department have adequate laboratory facilities and equipment for students’ practical training?
The Department is housed in a privately owned building of the University of Piraeus at 150 Androutsou Street. In this building there are three (3) educational laboratories with a capacity of about ninety (90) workstations. The laboratories of the Department have the appropriate software and hardware and are accessible to all students of the Department when classes are not in session.
8. What professional prospects are offered to the graduates of the Department?
Graduates of the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Piraeus specialize in various areas of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and are employed across both the public and private sectors, in Greece and internationally.
9. Are postgraduate studies offered by the Department?
The Department offers the following Postgraduate Programs (MSc):
- MSc in Information Systems and Services (Gov. Gazette 3273/B’ /08-08-2018, Approval No. 20184240), which awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) equivalent to 90 ECTS credits and includes three specializations:
- Advanced Information Systems
- Big Data and Analytics
- IT Governance
- MSc in e-Learning (Gov. Gazette 2505/B’ /29-06-2018, Approval No. 20183530), which awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.
- MSc in Cybersecurity and AI Technologies (Gov. Gazette 3126/B’ /31-07-2018, Approval No. 20184255), which awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.
- MSc in Law and Information and Communication Technologies (Gov. Gazette 2077/B’ /30-05-2020), which awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.
- MSc in Climate Crisis and Information and Communication Technologies (Gov. Gazette 3047/B’ /22-07-2020), which awards a Master’s Degree (MSc) equivalent to 90 ECTS credits.
- The Department of Digital Systems and the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT) of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” jointly organize and operate the Interinstitutional MSc Program in Artificial Intelligence since the academic year 2019–2020 (Gov. Gazette 2924/B’ /12-07-2017).
- The Department of Digital Systems participates in the Interinstitutional MSc Program in Health Services Management – Health Informatics, organized by the Departments of Nursing and Economics of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the Departments of Digital Systems, Informatics, and Industrial Management & Technology of the University of Piraeus.
- The Department of Digital Systems also participates in the Interinstitutional MSc Program in Digital Health Services and Analytics, organized by the Department of Informatics of the Ionian University and the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus.