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Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Civil Engineering Faculty of Management Science and Informatics Faculty of Special Engineering Faculty of Science

Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications

Introduction

The Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport was founded in 1953 as one of the former faculties of the College of Railways in Prague, the original name of today’s University of Žilina. The main goal of the Faculty activities is transport and all modes of transport operational technologies. In 1980 the Faculty again changed the name to the Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications in order to recognise another professional orientation for technologies and services in communications. The Faculty works intensively in engineering, technology, business and trade. Reflecting its top interests, the Faculty focuses on preparing future generations of specialists in accredited three-level study programmes for all branches of transport and communications, i. e. for road, urban, railway, air and water transport systems, postal services and telecommunications. In 2000 another Faculty’s orientation started with educational and research activities in economics and management of corporation when lecturing in general economics as well as transport economics is provided.

Faculty’s mission

“High quality education, science and research in the field of engineering, operational, technological and commercial-economic disciplines of transport and communications for prospective careers of our students”.

Courses Taught

The university education offered by the Faculty gives a theoretical basis required for further practical activities. It is offered at three levels: bachelor’s, engineering and doctoral study programmes. In particular branches of study the programmes aim at application of theoretical knowledge in a specific area, e.g. in transport, transport and postal services. On the other hand, the study of economics and management topics helps our students to be well prepared for jobs in economic, financial and social systems of society. The Faculty awards bachelor’s, engineer’s and doctoral degrees.

Bc. Study Programmes

Road Transport, Railway Transport, Air Transport, Air Transport - Professional Pilot, Water Transport, Forwarding Business, Postal Services, Postal Technologies, Electronic Business and Management, Economics and Management of Enterprise

M.Sc. Study Programmes

Road Transport, Railway Transport, Air Transport, Water Transport, Postal Services, Postal Engineering, Economics and Management of Enterprise

PhD. Study Programmes

Economics of Transport, Communications and Services, Economics and Management of Enterprise, Transport Methods and Technology, Postal Technologies, Transport Services, Postal Services

Graduate’s Career Prospects

The graduate in the bachelor’s programme of a particular branch of study is prepared to solve issues of a routine character at a mid level of operational or business management of corresponding corporations and/or institutions. The graduate in the engineering programme (according to the specialization) will feature abilities and skills evolving inventiveness, which can be used in top managerial functions and/or when new procedures, technologies and innovative methods and approaches are looked for. The graduate in the doctoral programme is trained and well prepared either for activities in research and development or for scientific work in a particular area.

Research themes

The Faculty has a long tradition and enjoys reputation for solving scientific and research topics, especially in transport technologies, transport services, postal technologies and services, and economics of transport and communications. An important objective of the Faculty’s scientific and research activities is to enhance the career potential of future graduates in the above mentioned areas and to further develop major industries in Slovakia and abroad.

Recent research activities include the topics such as:

1. Transport and communications policies, searching for the optimum level of public services.
2. Transport and communications systems, intermodality of transport modes.
3. Efficiency and quality in transport and communications.
4. Human factors in transport and personnel licensing.
5. Transport safety issues.
6. Creation of municipal transport systems and city transport.
7. Diagnoses of business communities in transport and communications, development of appropriate diagnostic methods as well as establishing effective therapies in transport and communications enterprises.
8. Interaction between supply and demand in transport, postal services, telecommunications, and information networks in relation to the market and industry structure.
9. Control of transport and communications costs in relation to technology and external effects, and questions regarding internalisation of external effects.
10. Intuitive geometry/packing and covering problems, and combined problems.
11. Harmonization and integration of air traffic control systems of the Slovak Republic.

Departments and their professional profiles

The departments of the Faculty provide the learning at the three level university education in appropriate branches of study and are scientific and research workplaces of relevant scientific branches.

Department of Road and Urban Transport

The Department of Road and Urban Transport is a profiled and guaranteed department for the study area Transport. There are several study programmes for bachelor’s degree for Road Transport and Freight Forwarding and master’s degree for Road Transport, Freight Forwarding and Transportation Engineering. The department was established as a part of the Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications during the establishment of University of Transport in Prague. Since 1960 the department has been located in Žilina. Of course, since those times the department has undergone various changes but the original authentic profile stays basically unchanged till now. The department provides vocational education from profiles disciplines as technology of road and urban transport, transportation engineering, road communications, dynamics of road vehicles, material handling, road vehicles, business enterprise in road transport, freight forwarding, public transport, diagnostics of road vehicles, logistics, transport planning, maintenance and repairs of road vehicles,… The department is also well known with the activities in the area of road. Here also the Institute of Forensic Engineering was founded which represents a unique, specialised institution for education of judicial experts for transport in the Slovak republic. Nowadays it is an independent institute of the University of Žilina.

The department is also known for the activities in the area of life-long education of managers of road freight transport enterprises, public transport enterprises, freight forwarders, logistics companies. Many expert conferences and seminars within the area of road transport and freight forwarding are organised. The internal and external experts, known also abroad, lecture the profile disciplines of the department. Our member participates in experts committees and working groups of The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), the Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecommunications of the Slovak republic (MDPT SR), regional authorities for road transport and road communications, BECEP (Road traffic safety), Freight Forwarders Association of Slovakia, ČESMAD Slovakia (Association of Road Freight Transport Operators), SNAS (Slovak National Accreditation Service),…

One of the department’s successes is the accreditation by the FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association) to offer an education in Freight Forwarding according to the FIATA standards to obtain FIATA DIPLOMA IN FREIGHT FORWARDING, valid world-vide.

Department of Railway Transport

The Department of the Railway Transport is a profile department, which is responsible for and guarantees the study programme Railway Transport. This study programme is guaranteed in the bachelor’s as well as in the engineering study level and in the both internal and external study form. The department provides the education of the profile disciplines and subjects especially transport and carriage processes (including their modelling), economics and management of railway transport. Except that the department provides the education of these subjects: intermodal carriage, logistics, material manipulation in transport, knowledge of mercantile ware, loading techniques – packaging, carrying, ecological aspects of transport etc.

The department has a fully equipped transport laboratory. Its operation is oriented mainly to the education process in the study subjects: laboratory practical training and laboratory practices for research activity in field of new transport technologies as well as practical training for position of instructors and dispatchers of Slovak railways. The research activities of the department are especially aimed at the new transport and carriage technologies in railway and combined transport, interoperability and ecology of transport, external transport effects and their internalization, new methods of investments evaluating in transport, harmonization and integration transport operating systems, integrated systems of regional and long distance transport. Since the year 2008 three VEGA grant projects and one project of MVTS have been solved at the department. The projects are focused on the systematic state measures for the supporting intermodal transport development in local characteristics of the Slovak republic, complex analysis and classification of regulative instruments of transport related to perspectives and challenges of liberalized common transport EU market, the model of labour distribution in transport related to the capacity of infrastructure, as well as in relation to the Internet portal of information about railway goods carriage and integration of the European railways databases.

Department of Air Transport

Teaching activities of the department are aimed at the issues of air traffic management, air traffic services, airworthiness of aircraft and their operational reliability, technical handling, maintenance and repair technologies of aircraft and their systems, design and operation of airports and their facility structures, air navigation, operation and economics of air transport. Students can be trained in special “ab initio” pilot training courses and also in courses leading to the commercial pilot license, which are also provided by the department. These courses are offered on the basis of a self-paid contract. There is a close relation of the Flight Training Organisation of the University of Žilina and the Department of Air Transport providing also a Professional Pilot study programme for airlines according to the JAR requirements. The department is known in the scientific world for its activities focused on the organisation and management of technological processes in air traffic; safety issues of air operations; philosophy and implementation of future air navigation systems; processes of transformation in airport service, etc. The department has its own laboratories in which real air traffic operations can be studied.

Department of Water Transport

The Department of Water Transport of the University of Žilina is an educational and research centre in the field of inland and maritime navigation. The department as a one of the profile departments of the University educates specialists within the study programme „Water Transport“, in the branch 5.2 „Transport“. The department provides accredited study programmes in the 1st – Bachelor’s, and the 2nd Engineering degree of university education. It prepares graduates – specialists for positions at all management levels in transport and logistics companies that provide or arrange inland and maritime water transport and port services. In the 3rd - doctoral degree (Philosophiae doctor), the department participates in education and training in the study branches: Transport, Transport Services, and Branch and Cross-Section Economics. The scientific/professional orientation of the department is focused on water transport as a part of the state transport system, and also on possibilities of its integration into effective multimodal logistic chains.

Department of Communications

The department of Communications, Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina, is a sectional department for higher education of specialists in the area of information-communication technologies, postal, logistics and network business. The movement of the department, since it was set up in 1964, has been focused on the training on the base of business domain requirements, especially in telecommunications, in postal, in financial and bank sector, as well as in institutions of public government. The department is the guarantee of the accredited study programmes: Electronic Business and Management, Postal Services and Technologies and Postal Engineering and Logistics. The department consists of four divisions: economic division, division of electronic communications and services, division of technology and postal operation and centre of research and knowledge transfer. Graduates find their work positions also thanks the expansion of services in postal and electronic communications, growing information community and knowledge based economics. Professors and associate professors, who work at the department and who guarantee the accreditation field of bachelor’s, engineering and doctoral studies, assure also the education in a foreign language for foreign students within ERASMUS and CEEPUS projects. Teachers from the department lecture also at universities abroad, mostly in the countries of EU. The growing number of students studying abroad confirms progress in the cooperation with prestigious universities. The connection with practice is assured by the cooperation with main top management representatives of relevant institutions. This includes selective lectures, membership in examination committees (boards), tutoring and reviewing thesis.

Department of Economics

The Department of Economics started its educational, research and scientific activities in 2000. As an independent department it provides elementary and advanced courses of Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Finance, World Economics, Accounting, Management, Marketing and Commercial Law for all students of the Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communication. The Department of Economics now provides three-level study programmes accredited for the branch of Economics and Management of Enterprise. This study specialization is provided both in full time and distance form of study. The study is carried out not only to build a general theoretical background, but also to foster practical knowledge of economics and corporation management. The lecturers use progressive didactic methods as well as new information technologies. They are in every day contact with business companies of the region. Case studies are designed on the basis of real situations.

Department of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics

The Department of Quantitative Methods and Economic Informatics offers undergraduate and graduate courses providing theoretical basis for future bachelors and engineers in the extent usual for technical universities. The principal courses are Mathematics and Geometry. In addition, the department offers courses providing students with basics of computer science, in particular, from the user’s perspective. Furthermore, the department offers specialised courses for traffic engineers and economists such as Graph Theory, Linear Programming, Queuing Theory, Financial Mathematics, and Information Science for Managers.

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Introduction

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Žilina offers technical education and produces university-educated experts able to solve complicated technical problems respecting social, ethical, economic, ecological, cultural and historical views.

The Faculty was founded in 1953 as one of the primary faculties of the College of Railways in Prague, the original name of today’s University of Žilina. The originally named Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering split into two separate faculties and was re-established in 1992 as the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The Faculty consists of 11 departments and a Research Centre, which in cooperation with other parts of the Faculty and University, guarantee the pedagogical process and scientific and research activities.

Faculty’s mission

To prepare future generations of university-educated experts who are capable of solving complicated technical problems. Courses Taught Bc. Study Programmes

1. Transport Machines and Equipment
2. Vehicles and Engines
3. Environmental Technology
4. Mechanical Engineering Technologies
5. Industrial Engineering and Management

M.Sc. Study Programmes

1. Applied Mechanics
2. Transport Means Maintenance
3. Machines and Equipment Design
4. Rail Vehicles
5. Combustion Engines, Aircraft Engines
6. Environmental Technology
7. Device, Automation and Control Technology
8. Material Engineering
9. Engineering Technologies
10. Automated Production Systems
11. Industrial Engineering and Management

PhD. Study Programmes

1. Applied Mechanics
2. Energy Machines and Equipment
3. Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Materials
4. Automated Production Systems
5. Machine Parts and Mechanisms
6. Industrial Engineering and Management
7. Limit States of Materials
8. Materials
9. Rail Vehicles

Research and education activities of the Faculty focus mainly on:

1. modern technologies in design for support and development of innovations– reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, optimizing technologies;
2. progressive trends in materials engineering area – biomaterials, gigacycling fatigue;
3. development of modern methods and procedure for technological and utility properties of machines and equipment evaluation;
4. improvement of operating systems and equipment renovation with using of RCM methods of technical condition checking;
5. progressive trends in transport, support of automotive industry development;
6. automation control development of production machines, transportation and manipulation equipments;
7. progressive methods in engineering of industry controlling, development of digital factory conception.

Many of the Faculty’s projects operate under the scheme of international projects such as ERASMUS, CEEPUS, COPERNICUS, Bilateral Cooperation (SK-CZ, SK-H, SK-PL, SK-D, SK-A), EU 7th Framework Programme.

Department Profiles

Department of Applied Mathematics

The Department of Applied Mathematics covers the education in the university basic level courses of mathematical analysis and constructive geometry. It also provides an introduction to the use of mathematical statistics, numerical methods, graph theory, variation method for the purpose of technical applications at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. For post-graduate students, it provides deeper and extended scientific programmes in the fields of ordinary, functional, partial differential equations including variation methods, numerical analysis and statistic methods placing emphasis on relevant and modern mathematical techniques in our advanced courses. The educational process is supported by using computing technology.

Department of Applied Mechanics

Students are educated in the basics of solid mechanics, computational mechanics (solids, fluids and other mechanical fields and coupled field problems; theoretical and numerical basics and principles of modelling; optimal design), experimental methods in mechanics and reliability of mechanical systems. The department solves industry problems from the fields of linear and non-linear static and dynamics of structures, fluid dynamics, solid-fluid interaction, optimal design and strength of materials. Static and quasistatic characteristics of materials are experimentally investigated. Department of Automation and Production Systems The research and educational topics of the department are oriented to all aspects of flexible manufacturing systems. The research activities are especially aimed at the development of robot control system based on artificial intelligence; control system and simulation of robots; optimisation of machining processes; accuracy diagnostics of CNC machine tools, development of CAx methods for production engineering. The study programme Automated Production Systems (master and doctoral level) are oriented towards computer aided systems and technologies; flexible manufacturing systems, CNC machine tools and robots; microelectronics; diagnostics; CAx systems (CAD/CAM, CAE, CAM, CAPP).

Development station of mechatronics Robot Fanuc Department of Design and Machine Elements

The Department of Design and Machine Elements study plan is guaranteed by the Department of Design and Machine Elements. It is oriented at computer aided design of technical systems, especially aimed at modern methods of computer modelling, simulation and optimization. The study plan is individual; each student has the possibility to choose specific subjects under the supervision of the department while taking into account current trends in mechanical engineering. The student’s field of specialisation further narrows when solving pre-diploma and diploma thesis projects. Students have four computer rooms at their disposal when solving projects, each equipped with modern and powerful graphical workstations and modern CAD/CAM, CAE and PDM/PLM systems. The department laboratories are equipped with unique devices used in prototype construction using Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling and Reverse Engineering.

Department of Machining and Manufacturing Engineering

The pedagogical activity of the department is aimed at the whole field of engineering technologies, including standard and unconventionally machining methods, machining theory and methodology, optimization of machining process, machining tools, mechanical engineering metrology, quality diagnostics of machined surfaces, environmental aspects of machining. Students study theoretical principia and methodology of manufacturing preparation in a single specialization. Graduates of the specialization prove their abilities in engineering and non-engineering turns, in operation, in development and research turns and in engineer’s offices. During the doctoral degree study the graduate gains necessary theoretical and deeper experimental knowledge which permit scientific approach to the solution of issues in the specialization mechanical engineering technology and materials. In scientific-development activities the department concerns with the study of theoretical issues of important turns in mechanical engineering technology, especially machining and assembly, machining tools, mechanical engineering metrology and diagnostics of machined surfaces, projection of manufacturing and mechanical engineering plants. Environmental technologies of machining present the following field of research. Along with the basic research, the department solves current problems of direct application for industry. The biggest customer of results of the scientific-development activities is mechanical engineering but the solved issues include practically all fields of manufacturing activities. The department collaborates with partnership departments of various technical universities. The department also collaborates with development institutes and companies in automotive, bearing, aircraft industry and general mechanical engineering.

The Department of Transport Technique and Handling Equipment

The department belongs to the founders of the original Railway College in Prague. Its activities are based on long-time traditions of rail vehicles design, maintenance and operation. The main areas are railway vehicles design, combustion engines, handling technology and machinery maintenance. The department provides engineering study in transport and handling technology, in the branches of rail vehicles and rail vehicles operation and maintenance. The department focuses on the solution of issues such as theory and design of rail vehicles and track maintenance machines, testing of braking systems, virtual modelling, combustion engines and transport machines. The department has been developing the theory and application of rail vehicles and other machinery maintenance, problems of reliability and new maintenance systems. Other research topics are traction dynamics, transport means operational quality and environmental parameters, in particular noise and vibrations reduction. The department co-operates with a range of significant industrial companies, universities and foreign institutions, among them UIC ERRI and EFNMS.

Department of Materials Engineering

The Department of Materials Engineering provides bachelor’s study programme Mechanical technologies, engineering study programme Materials engineering and PhD study programmes Materials and Limit Stages of Materials. Graduates obtain fundamental theoretical knowledge from the wide area of constructional materials (metals and its alloys, ceramics, composite materials, biomaterials, plastic materials etc.), its structure, properties, applications and possibilities of modifying its parameters according to the way of utilization. After the graduation, students can find their application in mechanical, metallurgical, automotive, electrotechnical, transportation, aerospace industry, in companies for production of parts with high firmness, in institutions focused on quality controlling, material properties evaluation as well as institutions focused on progressive materials production (such as biomaterials, optic wires, micro electric elements, intelligent materials and so.). A materials engineer is ready to solve the most difficult tasks of technical praxis, he/she is qualified for individual scientific work, he/she can also creatively develop and deepen knowledge in the field, improve properties of already existing materials, improve production quality of materials, parts, tools, utility parts and so on. Within the frame of guaranteed fields of study students may participate in solving of various scientific projects, domestic but also international, with the possibility of exchange study stays at cooperating domestic and foreign universities.

Laboratory of electron microscopy Laboratory of corrosion testing Department of Technological Engineering

The department provides study in the areas of machine technology and materials. Education, research and scientific activities focus mainly on technologies without chip removal. The department offers technology of welding, casting, forming and heat treatment for general study in the first three years of the study. There is a programme of study Mechanical Technologies offered in the last two years of engineering study. Theory and technology of forming, forming tools, theory and technology of welding, renovation of machine components, theory and technology of casting, heat treatment and others are possible to be studied at the department. Since its beginning the department has been cooperating with Slovak and foreign universities and companies in the northern region of Slovakia.

Department of Automotive Technology

The new department established on 1 January 2009 consists mostly of workers who have been employed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Žilina for tens of years. Their activities focus on development, design, manufacturing technology, combustion engine running and testing and automotive technology. The department plays an important role in teaching professional subjects at all three educational levels in the following study programmes: Automobiles and Engines, Combustion and Aircraft Engines, and Power Machines and Equipment. The department aims at solutions of a variety of issues such as theory and design of piston and other combustion engines, automobiles, on-road, off-road and special vehicles, testing their braking systems, virtual modelling and process of flow and combustion. The department has been developing the theory and application of non-conventional combustion engines, comfort of automobiles and other special vehicles, problems of environment loads caused by energetic units equipped with combustion engines, automobiles and other vehicles.

A cooling combustion engine

for non-conventional energetic system The control centre of the testing room Department of Industrial Engineering The Department of Industrial Engineering is responsible for education and research activities in the field of industrial engineering. The programme objectives are to graduate students who are well versed in industrial engineering theory, know how to apply the theory, and are capable of functioning effectively in a broad range of industrial enterprises. The students are able to evaluate and design operation and management systems, and their controls, to produce and deliver the products and services safely and effectively, then formulate and validate mathematical and computer models of systems to predict system behaviour using current or proposed resources, configurations, and limitations. Graduates can apply their professional skills in communication, economics, physical and social science, mathematics, and statistics. The curriculum of the course of industrial engineering and management emphasises above all the issues of production process and production system design, production planning and control, quality assurance, logistics, computer aided manufacturing, production process automation, enterprise economics and information systems. These basic courses are supported by two sets of courses concerning management science (e.g. marketing, teamwork, ergonomics, work analysis, productivity, etc.) and supporting methods and tools (e.g. operation research, value engineering, modelling and simulation, project management). The industrial engineering researchers at the department have developed a coherent set of methodologies, computer-aided tools, and experimental test beds to design, analyse and improve manufacturing systems. Digital Factory, JIT, Lean Production, Low Cost Intelligent Automation, Six Sigma, DFMA, CIM, FMS, Kaizen, SPC, Taguchi methods and additional tools and methodologies have all proven to provide substantial improvements in quality, reduction in cost, increased productivity, or improved responsiveness when the concepts are applied correctly in appropriate settings.

Modular assembling system FESTO Digital factory software DELMIA Department of Power Engineering

Within its pedagogical activities the department provides the following basic subjects: thermo mechanics and mechanics of fluids. The department focuses on the area of technical appliances insuring optimal environment parameters, decreasing of energetic severity of technologic systems in the industry, agriculture and transport, economical utilization of heat in houses, utilization of alternative energy sources, etc. The department prepares students in the engineering and bachelor’s programmes in the branch arrangement of the workplace and the specialization on environment engineering. During the study students raise the knowledge and specialization for solving of problems with design and operation of heating systems, air-conditioning systems, gas systems, construction and operation of heat sources, pumps, compressors, co-generation units, etc. Scientific activities are carried out in the cooperation with significant regional companies and Slovak, Czech, German, Austrian and Polish universities and scientific institutes.

Laboratory of small heat sources Laboratory of environment engineering



Introduction

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering was founded in 1953 as one of the primary faculties of the College of Railways in Prague, the original name of today’s University of Žilina. The original Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering was split into two separate faculties and was re-established in 1992 as the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. The traditional educational activities are completed by new branches, which are typical of research and technological development. These are information technologies, power electronic systems and modern methods for control of electrical networks. The Faculty also includes study of interdisciplinary branches such as mechatronics and biomedicine. The change of the Faculty’s and University’s names has brought some changes in nomenclature and corporate style, but it has not changed the essential commitment of the Faculty to its students and to the community.

Faculty’s mission

The Faculty’s mission is to provide the highest possible quality of research, education and training in order to meet the needs of individuals, communities and enterprises. Courses Taught The Faculty offers a wide range of courses in electrical engineering. The modular course portfolio is grouped into three major programme areas:

Bc. Study Programmes

1. Control Engineering
2. Biomedical Engineering
3. Digital Technologies ¦)
4. Electrical Engineering ¦¦)
5. Multimedia Technologies
6. Telecommunications

¦) All B.Sc. programmes are available in Žilina except for the programme “Digital Telecommunications” that is taught at the Satellite School in Liptovský Mikuláš only. The last mentioned programme “Telecommunications” is available both in Žilina and Liptovský Mikuláš.

¦¦) Thanks to the optional choice of courses, the programme can be modified to the following specializations: Automobile Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Commercial Electrical Engineering, and Electrical Systems in Mechatronics.

M.Sc. Study Programmes

1. Biomedical Engineering
2. Electrical Traction
3. Electrical Drives
4. Electrical Energetics
5. Physical Engineering
6. Process Control
7. Telecommunication and Radiocommunication Engineering
8. Power Electronic Systems

PhD. Study Programmes

1. Theoretical Electrical Engineering
2. Electronergetics
3. Electrotechnology and Materials
4. Control Engineering
5. Power Electrical Engineering
6. Telecommunications

The postgraduate courses also involve a major project submitted as a dissertation at the end of the course. Various specialised modules, linked to the staff research programmes, are available for candidates wishing to undertake the doctoral programme within the dissertation frame. The programme can be studied full-time (three years) or part-time (five years). The academic departments representing essential parts of the organization structure of the Faculty specialize in offering a wide-ranging portfolio of education, training, research and continuing professional development programmes in electromagnetic theory, electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunication engineering, information and safety-related systems, power semiconductor systems, digital signal processing, modern control of electric machines and drives, mechatronics, electric traction and energetics, biomedical engineering.

The academic staffs within these departments are actively engaged in a wide spectrum of research and educational programmes funded by government, industry or the Faculty. Departments are involved in different EU programme projects, both educational and research ones. Students today place an increasing emphasis on the access to modern information and communication technologies and high-tech laboratory facilities. The Faculty is well equipped with special laboratories, which have been equipped under the scheme of different projects, under the cooperation with enterprises, or with European partners.

Research themes

Research activities represent the fundamental and necessary condition of further development of the Faculty, having impact on quality of all other activities including education. They are organized under different grant schemes provided by both national grant agencies (e.g. APVV, VEGA, KEGA) and schemes provided in the international/European context (e.g. 6FP, 7FP, COST, ESF). The research is currently underway in the fields of modern ICTs, transport telematics, power electrical systems, advanced electrical network control, material non-destructive testing, biomedical engineering and electric machine diagnostics. Research results are presented at international and national scientific and professional conferences, symposiums and workshops. The Faculty itself organizes or co-organizes several scientific activities with different periodicity (e.g. ELEKTRO and TRANSCOM conferences, symposium EURO-ZEL, Slovak Physicist Conference) and issues the scientific journal Advances in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. A close co-operation with industry is also an essential part of the Faculty’s life. The Faculty is a holder of the ISO-9001 Quality Certificate.

Department Profiles
Department of Physics

Research activities of the Department of Physics are focused on two basic fields. Traditionally, one group is oriented to the utilization of acoustic methods for investigation of condensed matters. A wide range of hf acoustic methods and techniques is used, utilising also acousto-electrical and acousto-optical phenomena to investigate semiconductors, metals, dielectrics and amorphous materials. Another, optical group investigates physical properties of conventional telecommunication optic fibres, twin core optic fibres, photonic crystal fibres, biological photonic structures and semiconductor laser diodes based on quantum wells. Self-diffraction of light in magnetic fluids and photorefractive phenomenon in selected condensed matter materials are also studied within the group. The attention is also paid to the general study of wave processes. Recently the research programme has also been extended to theoretical high-energy physics. The new research group works in the area of strong electroweak symmetry breaking.

Department of Electromagnetic and Biomedical Engineering

The department research is concerned with the investigation of the electromagnetic field and its interactions with different environments, electromagnetic methods and means for material non-destructive evaluation, problems of electromagnetic compatibility and biocompatibility, influence of electromagnetic field on living organisms, biomedical sensors, and modelling and simulations of dynamic biological systems used in medical diagnosis.

Department of Measurement and Applied Electrical Engineering

Research activities of this department are aimed mainly to the following areas: diagnosis methods and systems for power transformers testing using modern measuring systems and tools, infrared analysis (thermo-diagnostics) with scanning of thermal field of power electrical and telecommunication equipment and their modelling, simulations and medical applications of thermovision, sensors for technical applications. Recently the research programme has been extended to electromagnetic non-destructive testing and evaluation of metals and dielectric materials. The research covers also optimization of methods for materials dielectric properties investigation in high-frequency region and possibilities of microwave technique utilization in medical diagnosis and therapeutic applications and in optimization of radiocommunication equipments.

Department of Telecommunications and Multimedia

The department research (before the 1st January 2008 called Department of Telecommunications) covers development and optimization of technological processes in the field of telecommunications. A few basic areas of interests are investigated, namely, synthesis and optimization of electronic systems in analogue circuits and systems lab, technologies as IP telephony, xDSL, Wi-fi, DECT (Cordless telephony) in digital telecommunications lab, optical fibers studies and novel network architectures in optical communications lab and analysis and design of radio-communication systems, analogue TV, DVB-T and mobile positioning in mobile communications lab. The next area of interest is video and audio processing where problem of audio and video analyses and annotation for MPEG-7 standard are examined. A quite new area of interest is Multimedia technologies, where main subjects, in the hand-in-hand to technological background are picture composition, stage management, dramaturgy, working with photo and video, rhetoric, etc. The main focus of the area is in the new multimedia services support.

Department of Power Electrical Systems

Research activities of the department are mainly oriented to rationalization and modernization of electrical traction equipment, research and development of modern control strategies and sensorless techniques and their implementation to modern control units (DSC, DSP, etc.), research of reserved output needed in Slovak power transmission system after decommissioning of units of the Nuclear Plant V1 Bohunice by meeting the N-1 criterion, research of fault location in distribution power networks by using the elements of artificial intelligence, investigation and development of FACTS to eliminate negative effects on supply network, new types of electric machines and electric drives control. Department of Control and Information Systems Research activities of the department are concentrated on the analysis and design of safety-related control applications ranging from the solution of theoretical models to practical projects of implementation. The emphasis is paid to the use of semi-formal and formal techniques with preferences given to object-oriented approach (UML). The field of reliable and secure information transmission and processing in control of selected critical processes (safety-related transport applications as well as complex industrial technologies) provides a dynamic incentive for all the staff. The department realizes expertises related to the safety assessment and verification of railway signalling and interlocking systems, risk analysis of road and railway tunnels and others.

Department of Mechatronics and Electronics

The research at the department is concerned with the creation and operation of quality- and reliable electronic elements and systems, applications of programmable logic arrays in design of electronic systems, reconfigurable circuits study as well as diagnostics and analysis of the failures based on image analysis. Topology optimisation of power semiconductor converters and their electro-magnetic compatibility also belong to significant activities.

Department of Experimental Electrical Engineering, Liptovský Mikuláš

The research programme of the department focuses on some issues in the field of renewable energy sources, in particular on photo-voltaic radiation engineering. The effort is concentrated on problems of processing, transmission, modification of scanner signals and development of control algorithms for concentration solar systems.

Department of Engineering Fundamentals, Liptovský Mikuláš

Research activities of the department are based on a long-term co-operation with institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and several Slovak and foreign universities. The focus areas are the theory of real functions, the diagnostics of physical properties of thin films and their interfaces, the modelling and numerical and stochastic evolutionary analysis of physical processes for several application fields, especially thin-film photovoltaics and optical elements for optical communication networks.

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Introduction The Faculty of Civil Engineering is accredited in the education of transport structures for construction design, reconstruction and maintenance of railway tracks, roads, highways, urban roads, bridges and tunnels. The Faculty has 1,000 students in daily courses and 35 doctoral students. Students from abroad can participate in both forms of study. Within its research and professional activities the Faculty solves theoretical topics of designs for transport structures, modelling, strain analysis and computer based strength calculations, infrastructure planning and modelling. Significant results are achieved in measuring and diagnostics of transport structures subjected to dynamic loading. Faculty’s mission To learn to adapt to changing market conditions, to be open to our clients´ requirements. Courses Taught

Bc. Study Programmes

Transportation Planning, Geodesy and Cartography, Structural Engineering (4-year study), Road Engineering, Railway Engineering, Objects of Transport Structures, Construction Management.

M.Sc. Study Programmes

Transportation Planning, Supporting Structures of Buildings, Road Engineering, Railway Engineering, Objects of Transport Structures, Construction Management.

PhD. Study Programmes

Mechanics of Rigid and Flexible Bodies , Engineering Structures, Construction Management, Forensic Engineering.

Research themes

The Faculty of Civil Engineering carries out projects concentrating on research of new types of transport constructions and on diagnosis and evaluation of existing ones under a dynamic load. The research activities focus on tunnels and bridges, on roads and highways, on modernization of railways, railway stations and on building constructions. Remarkable results have been achieved in the research of roads and bridges management systems and in the field of transport planning. The Faculty maintains intensive bilateral contacts with universities and research centres in Europe and the United States.

Department Profiles

Department of Structural Mechanics

* Teaching - Theoretical Mechanics, Static of Structures, Dynamics of Structures, Theory of Elasticity, Experimental Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Mechanics of Continuous Medium.
* Research - dynamics and diagnostics of civil engineering structures (bridges, roads, highways and railways), wind engineering, seismicity and environment.

Department of Geodesy

* Teaching - Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Railway Geodesy, Cadastre of Real Estates, Theory of Errors, Information System of the Cadastre.
* Research - analytic railway projecting, calibration of geodetic instruments, vertical and horizontal movements, theory of confidence and accuracy of measurements.

Department of Geotechnics

* Teaching - Geology, Engineering Geology, Soils and Rocks Mechanics, Foundation, Underground Constructions and Tunnelling, Hydraulics and Hydrology.
* Research - structural analysis of ground medium, mathematical modelling (slope stability, hydraulics and ecology in civil engineering).

Department of Structures and Bridges
* Teaching - Concrete Structures, Steel Structures, Concrete Bridges, Steel Bridges, Building Materials.
* Research - load carrying capacity of steel and concrete structures and bridges, evaluation of existing bridges, structure and material deterioration and their effect on the bridge structure reliability, utilization of composite materials for bridge rehabilitation.

Department of Railway Engineering

* Teaching - Designing, Construction and Reconstruction of Railways, Station and Junctions, Railway Economy and Maintenance, Transport Construction Management.
* Research - design and construction of high-speed railway lines, reconstruction of railway lines in mining areas, railway transport noise.

Department of Highway Engineering

* Teaching - Highway Pavement, Highway Maintenance, Urban Network Systems, Transport Engineering and Planning, Highway Management and Economy, Laboratories.
* Research - protection of pavement against frost, highway materials, new materials for mixtures, pavement evenness, transportation engineering and planning, pavement management system, winter maintenance, environmental protection.

Department of Building Engineering and Urban Planning

* Teaching - Technical Drawing, Building Physics, Structures of Building Engineering, Technical Equipment of Building, Technical Infrastructure, Environment, Calculation in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Architecture and Object Design of Civil Engineering.
* Research - building heating engineering, building acoustics, environment, physical planning problems and building law.

Department of Construction Management

* Teaching - Building Economy, Building Management, Construction Technology and Methods, Materials Engineering, Project Management, Financing Management, Quality Management, Asset and Pavement Management System, Road and Railroad Administrations. * Research - asset management, transport network planning and cost analysis, theoretical aspects of the pavement serviceability, analysis of the pavement surface quality and pavement structure defects.

Faculty Accredited Laboratories

The Faculty has four laboratories. In the first laboratory dynamic diagnoses of structures, bridges and structural materials are carried out and all types of prototype and conclusive tests of sleepers, means of fastening and rails are performed. In the second laboratory technical diagnoses of structural constructions, bridges and materials and concentrates on performing loading tests of bridges are performed. In the third laboratory tests of aggregates and bituminous bonds are carried out, bituminous mixtures are designed and their quality is controlled. Tests of temperature conductivity of various materials are also performed. Basic properties of soils are investigated and their bearings are measured. In the fourth laboratory tests of sleeper subsoils bearing are carried out.

Faculty of Management Science and Informatics

Introduction

The Faculty of Management Science and Informatics of the University of Žilina was established in July 1990. The original academic members were students and staff from the Department of Cybernetic in Transport and Communications, the Department of Mathematical Methods, the Department of Economics and from the Institute for Development of Communications. In 1993 the new branch called Information and Management Systems was created and in 1996 the name was changed to The Faculty of Management Science and Informatics. This name most appropriately reflects the importance of information technology in the Faculty’s profile and professional orientation.

The Faculty primarily specializes in management of extensive systems activities, which include issues of managing and optimising transfer of products, passengers and information. The departments of the Faculty specialize in the design of integrated interactive information systems for decision-making support including economic connections and technical background. They also focus on management, information and transport systems from small, medium and large-sized networks. The Faculty’s research and educational goals require strong mathematical knowledge. Therefore, it is important to include applied mathematics and to design mathematical models as a basis for algorithmic information, decision-making processes and their optimisation.

Faculty’s mission

Management and information processes – The cradle of the future high-powered technologies.

The educational programme of the Faculty consists of the following parts:

Bc. Study Programmes

1. Informatics
2. Management
3. Computer Engineering

M.Sc. Study Programmes

1. Information Systems
2. Management
3. Computer Engineering
4. Control of Transportation and Logistic Systems
5. Information-Communication Technologies

PhD. Study Programmes

1. Applied Informatics
2. Management
3. Management of Transport Systems

Lifelong Education

- the programme is intended to increase knowledge in one of the branches related to the Faculty’s orientation. Re-qualification courses are organized in this form and the Faculty issues a certificate to the student.

Research themes

The Faculty is oriented towards the following scientific fields:
1. Analysis, synthesis and design of integrated information and control systems;
2. Creation of integrated systems for the support of decision-making, including its economic correlations and technical equipment requirements;
3. Management, marketing, logistics and enterprising in the general field of transport and communication systems;
4. Problem solving design in transport and communication systems and relative tasks of control;
5. Control and optimisation of the transportation of products and persons;
6. Control and optimisation of the database creation, transmission and data processing;
7. Analysis, synthesis and design of multimedia information systems;
8. Analysis, synthesis and design of geographical information systems;
9. Design and realization of simulation components for communication networks and systems;
10. Design and realization of technology for information and control systems.

Prospective careers

The Faculty of Management Science and Informatics expects graduates to obtain the requisite theoretical knowledge and ability for team and independent work, practical habits and skills in accordance with the particular programmes of study. The project work is usually done in a team; and this requires a creative application of the requisite theoretical and practical knowledge of the entire content. Only those students who systematically and continuously devote themselves to study will successfully master the requirements of the entire programme.

Every graduate will be ready:

1. to find and present his or her own solutions in research, development, projecting and design of programme media, information systems, computer systems, and in general to work in a broad context of information technology systems;
2. to conduct projects and to assume responsibility for complex solutions;
3. to adapt and to implement modern information technologies in various application environments and to work efficiently either as an individual or as a member or leader of a team.

Many students during their study complete their acquisition of practical knowledge and skills with activities in various branches of economics (programmer, research workers and administrators of software systems, administrators and designers of computer networks, development workers and designer of equipment, etc.). After the graduation, most of these students find positions as individual workers or managers in those institutes where they were active as leaders of development teams during their studies.

Graduates of our programme can find jobs in the domestic or international market in various branches of private or public sectors of economics. In practice, they will be able to demonstrate their abilities in all areas in which information means and information methods are used for control management of processes (industry, banking, transport, health institutions, educational institutions, etc.). Graduates of the Master’s Degree Programme are prepared for the PhD-Programme. At present, 5 – 10 % of the graduates of the Master’s Programme with the currently available courses of study (Information and Control Systems, Applied Mathematics) are interested in the PhD-Programme.

Department Profiles

Department of Mathematical Methods

Research activities are in optimisation in discrete logistics models, operation research, etc. This department offers instruction in Algebra, Mathematical Analysis, Unix-Programming Development, Graph Theory and Combinatory, Statistics, Operation Research, Scheduling Theory, Quantitative Methods for Logistics, Cryptography, Selective Parts of Modern Algebra, etc.

Department of Macro and Microeconomics

Research activities are in economic and social aspects of transformation in transport, optimal allocation of business sources and in analysis, modelling and prediction of irregular business sources. This department offers instruction in Fundamentals of Economic Theory, Microeconomics, Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, International Transportation Logistics, Accounting, Finance, Cost Calculation, Pricing and Tariffs, Business Economy, etc. Department of Informatics Research activities are in the area of distributed systems and data management, integrated network of RTD accomplishment, data transformation and migration between information systems, etc. This department offers instruction in Informatics, Programming, Database Systems, Technical Components of PC, C-language with objective Approach, Methodology of Information System Creation, etc.

Department of Technical Cybernetics

Research activities are in the analogue modelling for real time simulation, adoptive algorithms for automatic control, etc. This department offers instruction in Digital Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Electronics Systems, Automatic Control, Continuous Simulation, Adaptive Control Systems, Logic Circuits, etc.

Department of Information Networks

Research activities are in the area of multimedia systems and in the architecture and performance of broadband networks. This department offers instruction in Transport and Information Systems, Information Services, Information Networks, Signal Theory, Telematic Services, etc.

Department of Transportation Networks

Research activities are in simulation models of railway junctions, integrated systems supporting, planning and decision-making activities in transport and logistic systems and in design and operating optimisation of logistic chains. This department offers instruction in Data Structures, Mathematical Programming, Optimisation of Transport Networks, Multimedia Information Systems, etc.

Department of Management Theories

Research activities are in strategic planning in transport systems conditions, strategy of enterprise development in the area of transportation in Slovakia, marketing activities in transport system, life-long-learning in logistics. This department offers instruction in Management, Management Information Systems, International Business, Strategic Management, Financial Management, Quality Management, etc.

Department of Software Technologies

Research activities are in integrated network of RTD accomplishments, modelling of communication services of regional administration unit, simulation models for transportation networks. This department offers instruction in Transport and Information Systems, Object Programming in Windows, Quality of Services, Application Development for the Internet and Intranet, etc.

Faculty of Special Engineering

Introduction

The history of the Faculty of Special Engineering began in 1952 when the Faculty of Railways at the Military Technical Academy (VTA) in Brno was founded. Due to the reorganisation of the university system in the year 1953, the VTA, as a Military Faculty, was incorporated into the Technical College of Railways in Prague. This university was in 1961 relocated to Žilina and renamed the Technical University of Transport, later the Technical University of Transport and Communications. In 1998 the Military Faculty was renamed the Faculty of Special Engineering of the University of Žilina and the military studies were ended towards the year 2004. All these changes influenced the structure of educational programmes offered by the Faculty. The courses aim mainly at solution of natural, ecological, economic, social and other crisis situations, civil security and rescue services.

The Faculty of Special Engineering has managerial and technological orientation. The Faculty offers university education in accredited fields of study at all levels i.e. in bachelor’s, engineering, doctoral levels as well as lifelong education. In those fields the Faculty develops scientific and research activities. The university education, scientific and technical research activities contribute considerably to the economic and social development of the Slovak Republic and the Žilina region. The Faculty co-operates with, develops international scientific research and pedagogical contacts, and shares publication activities with foreign universities.

Faculty’s Mission “To prepare university educated managers and experts for solution of crisis situations in all spheres of human life”

Courses Taught The Faculty awards bachelor’s, engineering and doctoral degrees in the following accredited fields of study.

Bc. Study Programmes, M.Sc. Study Programmes, PhD. Study Programmes in full-time and part-time study:

1. Crisis Management
2. Security Management
3. Rescue Services
4. Transport in Crises Situations

The satellite institute of the Faculty in Košice provides conditions for part-time study of the security management within the same study programme as in Žilina.

Lifelong Education

The Faculty of Special Engineering offers different forms of lifelong education for special functions in government, public administration and in the field of economics and social life.

Research Themes

1. Solution of theoretical and fundamental crisis management topics.
2. Investigation of fundamental, organizational and structural topics of risk and crisis management in public administration.
3. Risk analyses and design of preventive actions.
4. Solution of crisis situations topics encountered in countryside, economics and society.
5. Solution of fire engineering, mainly fire prevention and fire protection (fire suppression technology issues).
6. Structural fire protection.
7. Fire protection of road tunnels and constructions.
8. Solution of topical tasks in the frame of emergency complex system, innovation of technology and technical means in fire protection.
9. Solution of rescue services.
10. Solution of tasks related to security protection of people, property and equipment.
11. Methods and techniques of security management.
12. Integrated safety systems.
13. Development of the transport infrastructure and solution of transport problems in crisis situations.

Department Profiles

• Department of Crisis Management

The Department of Crisis Management is the main department responsible for programmes in the field of civil security. These programmes are managerially oriented to the solutions of crisis situations and are directed to the area of public administration, economics, business and finance, and also to social and environmental backgrounds.

• Department of Fire Engineering

The Department of Fire Engineering is responsible for programmes in the field of fire protection. The programmes are managerially and technologically oriented to fire prevention and repressive activities, to emergency tasks, to work of fire brigades and to rescue services.

• Department of Security Management

The Department of Security Management is the department responsible for the programmes in the field of security management. The programmes of study are managerially and technologically oriented to the issues of safety of persons, property and object protection.

• Department of Technical Sciences and Informatics

The Department of Technical Sciences and Informatics is responsible for programmes in the field of transport in crisis situations. It also provides instruction in other programmes such as technical sciences, logistics, transport techniques and technology, informatics, automation, engineering tasks designing, health safety and security of labour.

International Links

Scientific and research activities of the Faculty of Special Engineering are oriented to the solution of crisis situations in all spheres and to identification of optimisation methods in the prevention and elimination of consequences. The Faculty solves projects within Long Life Learning Program (Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci), VEGA, KEGA, 7th Framework Programmes and within international co-operation with foreign universities.

Cooperation

The Faculty cooperates with many institutions, state and private organizations, universities:

1. The Ministry of Transport, Post Offices and Telecommunications of the SR; The Ministry of Economics of the SR; The Ministry of Interior of the SR; The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
2. Presidium of Fire and Rescue Brigade; Fire-Technical and Expertise Institute, Ministry of Interior, Slovak Republic.
3. Jan Perner Transport Faculty, University of Pardubice; Technical University in Ostrava; Military Academy, Brno; The Institute of Crisis Management at the University of Economics in Prague; The Faculty of Defence and Logistics Economics, the Military University, Vyškov, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic.
4. University of Maribor, Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, Slovenia.
5. Military University of Technology, Warsaw; Politechnika Wroclawska and WSO Wroclaw; University of Gdaňsk; High School of Administration, Bielsko – Biala, Poland.
6. Viša železnička škola Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro.
7. Todor Kableshkov´s University of Transport Sofia, Bulgaria.
8. Technical University Dresden; University of Applied Science Darmstadt, Germany
9. Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, School of Maritine Technology, Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, Portugal.
10. Portugal L’UNIVERSITA’ DI MESSINA, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Italy
11. Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Faculty of Sciences, Italy.
12. Ecole des Mines d'Ales, France.

Faculty of Science

Introduction

The Faculty of Science as the youngest Faculty of the University of Žilina provides bachelor’s and subsequent master’s degree study programmes in Applied Mathematics focusing on economic, financial, and technical issues. The Faculty also offers bachelor’s degree study programmes to prepare teachers of academic, educational and art subjects in the following combinations: Mathematics, Informatics, English Language and Literature, Evangelical Lutheran Religion, Civics, and Music as well as bachelor’s degree study programmes in Social Pedagogy, Missionary Work with Children and Young People, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Librarian and Information Studies in the following study programmes: Mediamatics and Documentation of Cultural Heritage.

Faculty’s Mission

The Faculty of Science in its structure contributes to the enrichment of the University’s profile with humanities and science education.

Departments

Department of Mathematics
Department of Mediamatics and Cultural Heritage
Department of Pedagogical Studies
Department of Music
Department of English Language and Literature
Department of Foreign Languages

Courses Taught

Full-time and part-time study

Bc. Study Programmes
Applied Mathematics
Missionary Work with Children and Young People
Mediamatics
Documentation of Cultural Heritage
Social Pedagogy
Teacher Training

One-branch study programme:

Music

Two-branch study programme:

English language and literature* – informatics
English language and literature*– mathematics
English language and literature* – Lutheran religious education
English language and literature* – civics
English language and literature* - music
mathematics – Lutheran religious education (since 2008/2009 in English)
mathematics – informatics
mathematics – music
mathematics – civics
informatics – Lutheran religious education
informatics – music

* in the English language

M.Sc. Study Programmes

Applied Mathematics

PhD. Study Programmes

Applied Mathematics Research themes

Department of Mathematics

Research activities of the department are in the following areas:

1. Functional differential equations especially asymptotic and oscillatory solution properties of differential equations with shifted argument, neutral equations and systems as well as singular differential systems.
2. Oscillatory properties of functional integrodifferential equations and their applications in mathematical models.
3. Observation of properties of models of logical derivation with reliability coefficients.
4. Orthogonal polynomials, special functions, ordinary and partial differential equations related to them.
5. Theory in function spaces.
6. Mathematical modelling of technical and natural science processes, use of mathematics in practice for solution of specific technical and scientific issues.
7. Higher efficiency of teaching mathematics at all school levels.

Department of Mediamatics and Cultural Heritage

Research activities of the department are in the following areas:

1. New e-media,
2. Documentation of cultural heritage,
3. Didactics of informatics,
4. Religious studies,
5. Biblical studies and theology.

Department of Pedagogical Studies Research activities of the department began to be shaped towards the end of 2001 and were related to the areas in which the department provides education:

1. Attitudes and opinions of undergraduates on drug abuse and its prevention; the department cooperates with Pompidou Group at the Council of Europe in Strasburg,
2. Function of religious education in the shaping of the student’s personality,
3. Philosophical, ethical, moral, social and artistic aspects of medial work,
4. Current issues of ethics and professional ethics – KEGA project.

Department of Music The department focuses its research and scientific activities on:

1. International cooperation with Czech universities in the area of education, interpretation and composition,
2. Organization of interpretation presentations of singing choirs of the Beskydy region,
3. Organization of specialised methodological and didactic seminars for teachers of music at 2nd stage of primary schools,
4. Cooperation with the Institute of Musical Science of the Slovak Academy of Science.

Department of English Language and Literature

Research activities of the department focus on the following areas:

1. Design of modern teaching materials;
2. Design of methodological materials and tasks and testing at secondary schools;
3. Preparation of didactic materials for multimedia supported language instruction;
4. The above mentioned activities are carried out within a KEGA project;
5. Comparative linguistic research in selected discourses;
6. Modernism and postmodernism in English literature;
7. CLIL – activities within the framework of the international project e-CLILT – Methodology for Teacher Trainers and CLIL Teachers.

Department of Foreign Languages

Research activities of the department focus on the following areas:

1. The use of multimedia in foreign language teaching from the communicative point of view;
2. Preparation of didactic materials for teaching languages for specific purposes;
3. Linguistic issues, e.g. morphology, syntax, lexicology;
4. Translation of professional tests;
5. -4-MOODLE – a joint project with universities in Brest, Lille, Leipzig, Sankt Peterburg and Novosibirsk aimed at new curricula for study programmes of ZU;
6. Modernization of foreign language teaching and research in sociolinguistic and intercultural aspect of communication;
7. Organization of summer courses of the Slovak language for foreign students within the Erasmus programme.

Prospective careers

Applied Mathematics

The graduate in this bachelor’s programme, who in master's degree study programme specializes in economic, financial, technical and physical issues, can work in the fields of science, research and development at universities, research and financial institution and as a manager of firm as well.

Teacher Training

The programme is aimed at preparing students for teacher occupation and graduates in this programme are prepared for study in the master's degree study programme. In exceptional cases the graduate can work as an assistant teacher.

Teacher Training (Music)

The programme is aimed at preparing students for the study in the master's degree study programme. The graduate can also work as an animator of free time activities.

Library and Information Studies

Graduates can work in business organizations, in the field of research, advertising agencies, libraries and archives.

Social Pedagogy

The graduate is qualified to work in the field of civil and public authorities.

Missionary Work with Children and Young people

The graduate is qualified to work as a, professional worker with children and young people, as an animator of free time activities for age groups from pre-school to undergraduate. The graduate can work as an auxiliary teacher at church and state schools as well. This programme also enables the graduate to work as an educator at young people’s homes or as an animator of free time activities in youth centres.

Mediamatics

The graduate from this master’s degree study programme is qualified to work as a designer of contests or manager of mediamatic information systems, consultant in area of information systems, designer of e-learning courses, administrator of information databases in companies and enterprises.

Documentation of Cultural Heritage

The master’s degree study programme prepares students for work in the field of library – information practice.