The Department of Ecology

The history of the Department

Department of Ecology at Zhytomyr State Technological University was established in September 2004 as a structural unit of the Faculty of Mining and Environment. First head of the department was Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Sergei Nikolaevich Ryzhuk. The main task of the department is improving the quality of theoretical training in “Ecology, environmental protection and balanced environmental management”.

Leadership of the department during 2005-2008 academic years was carried by Candidate of Agricultural Science, Svitlana Volodymyrivna Skrypnichenko.

Since 2009, the department is headed by well-known expert in Radiology field, member of the National Radiation Protection Commission of Ukraine, Honorary forester of Ukraine, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Professor Krasnov V.P.

In September 2008 Department of Ecology began training students by the direction 6.040106 "Ecology, Environmental Protection and balanced environmental management".

In order to implement training and coordination of collaboration for different industries and forms of management educational-scientific-industrial complex (ESIC) "Ecology" was createdat at the Department. The members of ESIC "Ecology" are: Zhytomyr Agrotechnical College, Zhytomyr Technological College, Malyn Forestry College, The State Department of Environmental Protection in Zhytomyr Region, Polissya Branch of UkrRIF&FM. Within UNPK "Ecology" students that have educational qualification level of junior specialist are studying by the short term training.

Head of the Department

Staff

At the Department of Ecology work 14 qualified teachers, including 2 Professors (Dr. of Agricultural and Biological sciences), 8 Associate professors, PhD (2 Candidates of Agricultural Sciences,1 Candidates of Biological Sciences, 1 Candidates of Pedagogical Sciences and 4 Candidates of Technical Sciences), 1 Senior teachers. All teachers work in ZSTU as the main job. In addition there are 3 engineers at the department. Graduation department is managing by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Volodymyr Pavlovych Krasnov.

There is a possibility for postgraduate and doctoral study on specialty 03.00.16 "Ecology". 3 postgraduate students and 1 doctorant from Department of Ecology are studying in full-time education at ZSTU. Read more...

Educational process

Currently, the Department of Ecology is responsible for the professional training of students:

• EQL "Bachelor" in the direction of 6.040106 "Ecology, Environmental Protection and balanced environmental management";
• EQL "Specialist" in the specialty 7.04010601 "Ecology and Environmental Protection";
• Master's Degree in specialty 8.04010601 "Ecology and Environmental Protection";
• Master's Degree in specialty 8.04010605 "Radioecology".

Professors and teaching staff of the Ecology Department provides teaching

• 25 training courses to prepare students educational qualification of "Bachelor";
• 8 - for students educational qualification of "Specialist";
• 9 - for students educational qualification of "Master".

Teachers are providing guidance in course works and projects, educational, industrial practice, preparation and defense of diploma works for Bachelors and Masters. Besides of that, teachers of the Department are involved in educational process of other departments of ZSTU in various fields and specialties, providing teaching normative disciplines "Ecology" and "Life safety".

Important place in work of the Department take an educational work with students. Teachers actively carry out upbringing work. 2 teachers are curators of academic groups and regularly visit hostels conduct various cultural and educational events. Students are actively involved in scientific and public works related to solving environmental problems of the region.

Scientific activity

Research work - one of the most important aspects of modern specialist training that is why its organization and holding is one of the main tasks, which solves scientific and pedagogical staff of the Department of Ecology. Research work of the Ecology Department carried in accordance with developed and approved thematic perspective plans. Research work of the Department of Environment was directed mainly to the activation of the fundamental and exploratory research in priority areas of science, innovative activity at the regional level with ecological orientation, participating of the Department and research laboratories in developing topics on a grant basis, expanding relationships with academic and sectoral institutions, both domestic and foreign. Special attention is given to student involvement in research work. International Relations and Scientific educational mobility are an integral part of the scientific work of the Department. Its effectiveness is verified by participation in international projects, conferences and joint research.

The department has a powerful scientific potential today. There is a thorough material base at the Department, which allows you to conduct research and to process data at a high scientific, methodological and statistical levels. The specificity of the scientific work on the ecology requires a series of studies directly in a production environment with involvement of experts from the relevant disciplines. In this regard, the Department supports and strengthens contacts with many companies, research institutions and universities both in Ukraine and abroad. Prospects for the development of scientific activities of the Ecology Department based on the achievements of scientific schools functioning at the department. Since 2004, together with The Department of Geotechnologies named after Professor Bakka M.T. Scientific School was founded in "Mining and applied ecology." In 2012 a scientific school "Radioecology of forest ecosystems", headed by Dr. of Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Krasnov V.P.

Scientific and teaching staff of the Department of Ecology devotes considerable attention to fundamental and applied research. During the period from 2009 to 2014 teachers of the department participated in the implementation of 9 scientific researches, 7 of which are free. Annually, teachers of the department of ecology publish their findings in specialized editions and collections of scientific papers. Thus, by the staff of the Department in 2009 was published – 11, in 2010 – 14, in 2011 – 27, in 2012 – 29, in 2013 – 17, in 2014 - 14 scientific articles in specialized journals (including 5 papers - in editions included into the database SCOPUS). Teachers of the Department actively participate in international scientific and practical conferences in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria and Moldova. During 2009 - 2014, 126 articles in collections of conferences published by the staff.

Scientific and teaching staff of the Department of Ecology devotes considerable attention to fundamental and applied research. During the period from 2009 to 2014 teachers of the department participated in the implementation of 9 scientific researches, 7 of which are free. Annually, teachers of the department of ecology publish their findings in specialized editions and collections of scientific papers. Thus, by the staff of the Department in 2009 was published – 11, in 2010 – 14, in 2011 – 27, in 2012 – 29, in 2013 – 17, in 2014 - 14 scientific articles in specialized journals (including 5 papers - in editions included into the database SCOPUS). Teachers of the Department actively participate in international scientific and practical conferences in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria and Moldova. During 2009 - 2014, 126 articles in collections of conferences published by the staff.

Much attention is paid by teachers to publication of textbooks and monographs. During 2009 - 2014 p. Scientific Department of Ecology received 1 certificate of registration of copyright to a work, one utility model patent, published two monographs, 2 directory, 6 textbooks (3 - labeled with MES of Ukraine and 2 - approved by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine). In addition, V.P. Krasnov joined the writing team of the National Report "25 years after the Chernobyl disaster. Safety of the Future".

In order to prepare highly qualified specialists at the department operates postgraduate and doctoral studies in the specialty 03.00.16 "Ecology". The best graduates, masters, who got recommendations of the Department of Ecology and HES for Master's degree projects are usually credited to graduate school. Currently, 4 PhD students are studying in this specialty in full-time studies and 1 - the full-time doctoral studies. Postgraduate and doctoral works quite effectively. During the period from 2009 to 2014, 5 theses were defended by graduate students and applicants (2 - in Biological, 1 - in Technical, 1 - in Agricultural and 1 - in Economic sciences), 100% of which - are young scientists under the age of 35 years, and also 1 thesis is ready to be defend. Scientific researches of post-graduate students agreed with the subject of scientific activity of the Department, which makes it possible to carry out research on the ecology under the guidance of experienced teachers of the Department. Graduate students and candidates for a degree, according to the schedule of doctoral and post ZSTU, pass candidate examinations in time.

Ecological Lectures

By the initiative of Ecology Department ZSTU and Department of Education of Zhytomyr City Council Ecological Lectures "Ecology: An Introduction to the speciality" for pupils of 10-11 classes of Zhytomyr secondary schools were begun in 2012.

On the lectures pupils can hear about the latest achievements of national and world science in the field of Ecology, to acquire some skills and develop their educational interests.

One of the most important tasks of the Lectures is to increase ecological literacy of pupils, equipping them with the skills of economical and careful use of natural resources, the formation of ecological culture in pupils, the level of which depends on the quality of ecological education.

Student's scientific work

Teachers of the Department are actively involved in the management of student's scientific work. For the most interested students in 2006 was established scientific circle "Green Guard" at the meetings of which members discuss actual questions of Radiology and environmental safety. Students study environment, monitoring methods, acquire skills to work with scientific literature and laboratory equipment.

Teachers of the Ecology Department and Department of Natural Sciences every year organize Olympiads in Chemistry and Ecology. Also, every year students participate in the Contest of Student's Research Works in "Ecology and environmental protection". Winners of the 1th round of All Ukrainian Student Olympiad and competition of scientific works take part in the second round and traditionally win prizes.

Teaching staff of the Ecology Department has been actively involved in the organization of scientific conferences at various levels with the involvement of the students. Since 2004, the staff of the Department organizes and conducts All Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference of students and graduate students "Modern problems of ecology." The aim of the conference is to highlight the urgent environmental problems and to encourage students to research. Students and young scientists from universities and research institutions of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Poland participate the conferences. University publishes Collection of abstracts by the results of the conference. Since 2011 Interuniversity Scientific Conference of students and young scientists "Ecological development in framework of the European integration" is held annually by forces of students and staff of the Department.

Active scientific work of the Department helps to attract gifted students to research. By the results of researches students prepare reports which are presented on the student scientific conferences. Master students are regular participants of the annual conferences on Ecology which are held by the National Mining University, NTU "Kiev Polytechnic Institute", Odessa State Ecological University, Donetsk National Technical University, etc.

Based on actual data obtained in the course of research, using the methodical, practical and scientific developments in the studied field under the supervision of teaching staff of the Department, Master students write the Theses that are the final stage in formation of Master's degree in Ecology.

In the order to increase radiation protection and to attract students to the research work Radioecological research laboratory was created in ZSTU in the framework of international project between ZSTU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Swedish Radiation Protection Agency. The laboratory is equipped with all necessary equipment for sampling, sample preparation and measurements of radiocesium in samples of environmental. Teaching staff, Doctoral, PhD, Master and Bachelor students can study and work in this laboratory for doing their research.

International cooperation

The Department of Ecology is actively involved in issues relating to the conclusion of new and strengthening existing contacts with foreign colleagues. Considerable attention is paid to collaborative research and work by international grants.

Direct agreements about scientific and academic collaboration with University of Florence (Italy), University of Mittweida (Germany) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden) were signed. As part of these agreements, the joint research, scientific and academic exchanges which involve teachers and students are regularly conducted.

Within 5 years, students of the specialty "Ecology and environment protection" from ZSTU internship at the University of Florence, in accordance with the agreement on scientific and cultural cooperation between ZSTU and the University of Florence.

In 2013-2014, in the framework Government project of Ukraine № 2201250 "Training of students, post-graduate research and teaching staff abroad" students of the specialty "Ecology and environment protection" and teachers of Ecology Department had internships at the Florence University (Italy). During the internship abroad students did part of master's work. Diploma work was performed in English and preliminary defense was held at a partner university.

Since 2012 within the University is carried out the project 530644-TEMPUS-1-2012-1-ES-Tempus-JPCR "Human safety (environment, food, medicine, society) in areas contaminated by radioactive substances". The aim of the project is the development of interdisciplinary master's program of training in the specialty "Radioecology" specialization "Control of food quality" and doctoral programs of PhD - level within the transition to three-level expert training system according to requirements of the Bologna Declaration. By the project money was bought an equipment to create of specialized computer class and an information network on the basis of library ZSTU.

Scientists of Ecology Department which works in direction "Radiation ecology of forest ecosystems" perform international research project № 372 "Finding of ways to reduce 137Cs uptake by plants and mushrooms in forest ecosystems" within the framework of the cooperation agreement between Department of the Swedish Radiation Protection Agency, ZSTU and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The head from Ukraine is Professor of the Ecology Department, Dr. Vinichuk M.M.

Since 2013 ZSTU takes part in the program of the EU Erasmus Mundus 545653-EM-1-2013-1-PL-ERA MUNDUS-EMA21 "Initiative of technical universities of Caucasus and Atlantic regions to ensure high educational standards" (2013-2017). In 2014 student of 5-course specialty "Ecology and environment protection" took part in this project and won a scholarship to study (2014-2015 academic year) at Warsaw Technological University.

Head of the Ecology Department Krasnov V.P. together with scientists of Warmia-Mazury University (Olsztyn, Poland) conducts research to study on the intensity of radioactive contamination of European roe deer in areas contaminated by radionuclides. In December 2014 Professor Krasnov V.P. was invited to Warmia-Mazury University where read 4 lectures on problems of forestry in conditions of radioactive contamination.

Teachers of the Department actively participate in international, intercollegiate conferences, seminars, and set up a further connection with the countries of near and far abroad, publish their work in international publishing houses. Thus, already became traditional annual participation of teachers and post-graduate students in Krakow Conference of Young Scientists (Poland), an international scientific-practical conference "Sustainable Development" (Varna, Bulgaria), an international scientific-practical conference "Recent advances in of European science" (Sofia, Bulgaria).

In 2011 - Senior Lecturer of the Department Korbut M.B. taken part in the International Conference "Innovation and cooperation in the Baltic Region", held at the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences (Stockholm, Sweden).

Associate Professor Kotsyuba I.G. in May 2013 taken part in international Training Course on Climate Change, held in Armenia, where 2 Ukrainian research projects were represented.

Close cooperation with national and international scientific schools in the field of ecology and environmental protection allows students to train on high professional level that allows the Department to improve the quality of educational services and the competitiveness of graduated specialists, and this in turn will help employment of graduates of ecological specialties.

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