The concept of "department" is encountered mainly in higher educational institutions (institutes, universities, academies). A department is a formal association of teachers with similar specializations or qualifications. The main purpose of creating the department is the organization of scientific and research work, as well as the preparation of students or listeners in certain areas of study. Also, the department carries out constant scientific and methodological work, which is an important element of education.
Features
Today, a modern department is not only a structural unit of a higher educational institution, but also an association of teaching staff for the organization of educational work. Quite often, this concept is confused with the concept of "faculty", but in fact there are significant differences, namely:
- The faculty is a subdivision of the university, and the department is the educational and scientific component of the faculty.
- The head and teachers of the department have the right to regulate the dates of tests, exams and certifications, but not the deadlines for defending candidate dissertations or graduation projects, unlike the faculty.
- Head andteachers of the department are people who cannot influence the administrative management and the work of departments in other areas.
Head of Department
So to say, the "little kingdom" has its own hierarchical structure. At the head is the leader (manager), who is elected by voting by the Academic Council of the University for a period of 5 years. The entire teaching staff is under the supervision of the head of the department. Most often, the head of the department is a teacher who has at least 5 years of experience in scientific and pedagogical work, and also has an academic degree and academic title.
The head of the department of the university is directly subordinate to the dean of the faculty or director of the institute, as well as:
- prevents various conflict situations;
- takes part in the formation of the staffing table;
- optimizes the learning process;
- contributes to the organization of courses, additional lessons and seminars in the disciplines taught at the department;
- conducts pedagogical work and scientific research;
- encourages communication and other interaction between teachers, etc.
University Department
A department at a university is an office that is equipped with tables, bookcases and modern computer and office equipment. A university department may, in some cases, have at its disposal a research laboratory or teaching units.
