Name and the Goals of the Study Programme
Name of the study program: Undergraduate academic studies in Biochemistry.
The Goal of the study program is to educate and train professionals for a variety of jobs that require knowledge of biochemistry and chemistry (biochemists in scientific-research, development and control laboratories of pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries and the related public services).
Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process
Basic studies for a period of four years (eight semesters). The study programme is designed so that the student has the following competencies and skills after the successful completion of the studies:
- Demonstrates knowledge in the area of chemistry and biochemistry;
- Is capable of collecting, evaluating and interpreting relevant information in chemistry and biochemistry, draws science-based conclusions;
- Successfully applies classical and modern instrumental methods, techniques and procedures for solving biochemical problems.
Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title
After the completion of four-year studies during which 240 ECTS are scored, the acquired professional title is Bachelor with Honours in Biochemistry.
The study program is designed to enable students who wish to end their studies after three years with earned 180 ECTS, to acquire the professional title of a Bachelor in Biochemistry.
Admission Conditions
Admission of candidates is based on competition announced by the University of Novi Sad, and is implemented by the Faculty of Sciences. In order to be eligible for the admission to the first year of undergraduate studies in the field of biochemistry the applicant should:
- have completed the secondary education which lasted four years;
- take the entrance exam in chemistry.
The rank list of candidates for admission shall be based on the general success achieved during the secondary education and the results obtained in the entrance exam. Based on the criteria of the competition, the University of Novi Sad establishes a ranking list of candidates. The candidate who is ranked within the foreseen student enrolment quota is entitled to enrol to the undergraduate studies.
The Structure of the Study Programme
In Tables a list of compulsory and elective courses with ECTS, the number of classes and exercises is given.
List of required and elective courses with ECTS, the number of classes and exercises, if a student chooses to complete education after three years, is given.
The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms
The studies are carried out through teaching of courses which are classified into semesters. Two semesters constitute an academic year.
The total duration of academic studies is 4 years (8 semesters) during which the student must collect a minimum of 240 points.
Students can complete their education after three years if they collected at least 180 ECTS points from the courses.
Credit Values of Particular Courses
In the aforementioned tables for the three-year degree the number of ECTS points for each subject within the program of study are given.
The numerical value (the number credits) of each subject is listed in the Table of courses per semester and year of study, as well as in the table of specification of courses that are listed in the Booklet of courses.
Diploma Work
The final year of the undergraduate studies in biochemistry is finished by the individual student’s work, followed by drafting and defending of the diploma thesis, which is the final exam before acquiring the title of Bachelor with honours in Biochemistry.
By drafting and defending his/her final work, a student demonstrates independence and creativity in the application of theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of biochemistry and chemistry. The final paper is produced by the students in the eighth semester during their research studies. The total value of this work is 12 ECTS.
If a student wishes to terminate the studies after the third year he/she is required to do a Project from a particular area or subject. The Project consists of the student’s independent work which constitutes the final exam to obtain the academic title – Bachelor in Biochemistry.
The student’s Project design and defence shows independence and creativity in the application of theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of biochemistry and chemistry. The project is implemented by the students in the sixth semester and the total value of this work is 6 ECTS.
Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses
In the list of descriptions of courses in (Booklet of courses), the conditions for the passing of individual courses are provided.
Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes
The study programme provides the opportunity of selecting courses from other study programs.
If a student wants to choose a subject from another study program, it is necessary to make a request to the Department Council, which decides whether this shall be granted or not.
Transferring from Another Study Programme
There is a possibility to transfer from one study programme to another by applying the system of transfer of credits for the same or related courses. The student is making a request to the Department Council which, after conducting the equivalence analyses of the subject, decides into which year the student may enrol and continue studies under the said study programme.
The purpose of the study program Undergraduate academic studies in Biochemistry is to enable students to acquire a first degree (Bachelor with Honours in Biochemistry) that will be recognized by all European institutions, and to enable them to find suitable employment or continue their education as part of the master studies in biochemistry or related disciplines.
The main purpose of these studies is to provide trained professionals to work in adequate scientific institutes and corporations as well as in chemical and biochemical laboratories.
The curriculum provided under this programme should enable the successful inclusion of graduates in the work of specialized and scientific research laboratories (both in the narrow field of biochemistry, as well as the selected area of chemistry) that is development and control laboratories in industries where there is a need for such expert profile.
The goal of the undergraduate academic studies in biochemistry is to educate students to become professionals and experts in the field of biochemistry. This study programme provides the student with basic knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry. In addition, the student gains the ability to apply the acquired knowledge and practical skills in laboratory work, by learning how to use modern laboratory equipment. This study programme creates professionals who are capable to perform the work of biochemists in scientific-research, development and control laboratories of industrial branches which contain chemical and biochemical processes, in institutions and laboratories dealing with the control/monitoring of the work place and the environment. In addition, the student receives a basis for further education at master studies in the field of biochemistry and chemistry.
The academic biochemical and chemical education provided by this study programme is aligned with the latest scientific achievements of modern biochemistry and is designed in such way to encourage graduates to continuously strive to further improve and professionally develop.
Learning outcomes
The study outcome is an expert with undergraduate academic education, with much broader knowledge in relation to secondary education, which displays an integrated knowledge and ability to understand the scientific basis in the field of biochemistry and chemistry.
By mastering the study programme, the student improves the following general competencies:
- the skill to collect, evaluate and interpret relevant information;
- the skill to use information technology to search databases and to process experimental results;
- the ability to understand the tasks within their area of work;
- the ability to formulate problems by providing relevant arguments;
- the ability to apply knowledge in practice;
- The ability for teamwork and the exchange ideas and information with other members of the professional team;
- To adhere to professional ethics.
By mastering the study programme, the student improves the following subject-specific competencies:
- Has a good base in key areas of chemistry (inorganic, organic, physical, analytical chemistry, biochemistry);
- Displays a high level of knowledge in specialized fields of biochemistry and biology, related to the structure and function of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, biochemical experimental techniques, physiology, enzymology, drug design and its effects;
- The skill to work confidently and safely in laboratory conditions and the skill of conducting standard biochemical and chemical laboratory procedures by using basic laboratory instruments;
- the skill to select a sample, as well as the skill to measure precisely and register, analyze and present laboratory data;
- the skill to browse the biochemical literature with a critical approach to the use of the Internet and other electronic information resources;
- The skill to analyze and solve simple theoretical and practical problems in the field of chemistry and biochemistry;
- The skill of working safely with biological materials and chemicals, by applying appropriate protection measures.
Upon completion of this study program the student is qualified for: jobs in biochemical and chemical laboratories, in research laboratories of institutes and universities as well as in development and control laboratories of industrial branches where the expertise is needed.
The basic undergraduate studies in the area of biochemistry last for 4 years, consist of a total of 33 courses including the final graduation work: the first year – 8 courses, the second year – 8 courses, the third year – 9 courses, the fourth year 8 courses, including a research study which will be described in the final (graduate) work.
Out of the total number of courses 24 are compulsory, and the remaining 9 are selected by the student from the relevant elective blocks/clusters. The subject schedule per semester and year of study, the subject status and the required lessons as well as the ECTS are given in Table.
All exams at the study program are one-semester exams.
During the first two years by studying the compulsory courses the student mainly gains the basic knowledge in the area of general chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics. During the third and fourth year the majority of courses are from the field of biochemistry. Students are given the opportunity to profile themselves professionally by selecting from the relevant elective courses.. The student selects the elective courses based on their wishes and has to make sure to obtain at least 60 credits during one academic year. Student may, but is not required to choose electives in all electoral positions. For example, in one semester, a student can choose two electives offered in two elective positions and therewith obtain over 30 ECTS, and then in the second semester from the two elective positions chooses one or none of the elective courses, should he/she have obtained a minimum of 60 ECTS credits from compulsory courses. At the same time, the student needs to take into account that during the semester he/she has to attend a minimum of 20 hours of active teaching with up to a maximum of 30 hours of active teaching.
In the booklet of courses a description of all courses per chosen curriculum is given together with the course status, the number of ECTS, the subject objectives, the expected results and preconditions for enrolling to the subject, the subject content, the recommended literature/reference books, the method of checking the knowledge and grading etc.
Distribution of the Courses into Semesters and Academic Years
| Course Code | Course Title | Semester | Course Type | Course Status | Hours of Active Teaching | ECTS | ||||
| L | AE | LE | OFT | |||||||
| FIRST YEAR | ||||||||||
| 1 | О-01 | Basic Mathematics | I | AG | C | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2 | О-02 | Physics | I | AG | C | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 3 | О-03 | General Chemistry | I | AG | C | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | |
| 4 | B-101 | Cell and Tissue Biology | I | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||
| 5 | Z-101 | Inorganic Chemistry I | II | ТМ | C | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 6 | Z-102 | Analytical Chemistry I | II | АG | C | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | |
| 7 | Z-103 | Organic Chemistry I | II | АG | C | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | |
| Active teaching hours per year– total =52 | Total ЕСTS =61 | Total ЕСTS =61 | Total ЕСTS =61 | Total ЕСTS =61 | Total ЕСTS =61 | |||||
| SECOND YEAR | ||||||||||
| 1 | Z-201 | Physical Chemistry I | III | AG | C | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 2 | Z-203 | Organic Chemistry II | III | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 3 | Z-204 | Analytical Chemistry II | III | SP | C | 3 | 5 | 1 | 9 | |
| 4 | B-202 | Introduction to Biochemistry I | III | SP | C | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 5 | Z-202 | Physical Chemistry II | IV | ТМ | C | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | |
| 6 | B-203 | Introduction to Biochemistry II | IV | SP | C | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 7 | B-301 | Intermediary Metabolism | IV | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | |
| Active teaching hours per year– total =51 | Total ЕСTS =60 | |||||||||
| THIRD YEAR | ||||||||||
| 1 | Z-301 | Fundamentals of Instrumental Analysis | V | PA | C | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | |
| 2 | H-302 | Chemistry of Natural Products | V | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 3 | B-302 | Structure and Function of Proteins | V | PA | C | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 4 | B-303 | Enzymology | VI | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 5 | B-304 | Experimental Biochemistry | VI | PA | C | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 6 | OЕ015А | Basic Animal Physiology | VI | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Active teaching hours per year– total =55 | Total ЕСTS =60 | |||||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Semester | Course Type | Course Status | Lectures | LE | OFT | SRW | ECTS | |
| FOURTH YEAR | ||||||||||
| 1 | ZMH-408 | Methodology of Scientific Research | VII | ТМ | C | 1 | 3 | 5 | ||
| 2 | B-401 | Bioorganic Chemistry | VII | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 3 | IB-409 | Medical Biochemistry | VII | SP | C | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 4 | B-404 | Medicinal Chemistry | VIII | PA | C | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 5 | DBH-401 | Diploma Thesis (Graduation Thesis) | VIII | 81 | 12 | |||||
| 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis | 1Student Research Work as part of the final Graduation thesis |
| Active teaching hours per year– total =48 | Total ЕСTS per year = 60 | Total ЕСTS per year = 60 | Total ЕСTS per year = 60 | Total ЕСTS per year = 60 | Total ЕСTS per year = 60 | |||||
| Total active teaching hours for four years of study =206 | Total active teaching hours for four years of study =206 | Total active teaching hours for four years of study =206 | Total active teaching hours for four years of study =206 | Total active teaching hours for four years of study =206 | ||||||
| Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 | Total ECTS credits = 241 |
- Course type: SP-scientific-professional, AG- academic-general education, TM-theoretical –methodical, AP – artistic – professional, PA – professional applied.
- S-semester;
- Course status: C – compulsory, EB – elective block. Active teaching hours: АE – auditory exercises, LE – laboratory exercises, OFT – other forms of teaching, SRW – Student Research Work*The minimum of ECTS credits earned in one academic year should be 60. In accordance to this, a student may, but need not, choose elective courses from each of the menu position. For example, in one semester, the student can choose two elective courses from two elective blocks and acquire more than 30 ECTS credits, and in the next semester choose one or none of elective courses, if, together with the compulsory courses, he/she earned the minimum of 60 ECTS, bearing in mind that during one semester he/she is engaged in active teaching between 20 (minimum) and 30 hours (maximum).
Elective courses in the Study Program
| Course Code | Course Title | Semester | Тип предмета | Course Type | Active teaching hours | ECTS | ||||
| Course Code | Course Title | L | AE | LE | OFT | |||||
| FIRST YEAR | ||||||||||
| Elective courses from block II | ||||||||||
| 1 | О-09 | Statistics | II | ТМ | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 2 | О-07 | Software for experimental data processing | II | PА | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 3 | О-08 | English | II | АG | EB | 4 | 5 | |||
| 4 | О-10 | Sociology | II | ТМ | EB | 4 | 5 | |||
| 5 | ОB026 | Basic Microbiology * | II,IV | ТМ | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| SECOND YEAR | ||||||||||
| Elective courses from block IV | ||||||||||
| 1 | ОB011 | Introduction to Molecular Biology* | IV, VI | ТМ | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2 | IHN-302 | Bioinorganic Chemistry | IV | SP | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 3 | ОB004 | Biophysics | IV | SP | EB | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 4 | ОB026 | Basic Microbiology ** | II,IV | ТМ | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 5 | IHO-303 | Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds | IV | SP | EB | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ||||||||||
| THIRD YEAR | ||||||||||
| Elective courses from block V | ||||||||||
| 1 | B-201 | Stereochemistry | V | SP | EB | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 2 | ОB042 | Mechanisms of Cell Communications | V | SP | EB | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 3 | IB-405 | Liquid Chromatographic Methods in Biochemistry * | V,VII | PА | EB | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 4 | B-403 | Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants * | V,VII | PА | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 5 | IB-502 | Monosaccharides and Bioactive Derivatives * | V, VII | SP | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 6 | IB-402 | Biochemistry of Hormones * | V, VII | SP | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Elective courses from block VI | ||||||||||
| 7 | IB-506 | Ecological Biochemistry * | VI, VIII | ТМ | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 8 | IB-406 | Food Biochemistry* | VI, VIII | PА | EB | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 9 | ОB011 | Introduction to Molecular Biology** | IV, VI | ТМ | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 10 | О-05 | Physical Basis of Modern Methods of Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry | VI | PА | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 11 | IB-302 | Natural Antioxidants * | VI, VIII | PА | EB | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 12 | IB-404 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry * | VI, VIII | SP | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 13 | IB-408 | Biochemistry of Steroids* | VI, VIII | SP | EB | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||
| ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ||||||||||
| FOURTH YEAR | ||||||||||
| Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII | Elective courses from block VII |
| 1 | IB-401 | Basic Pathophysiology | VII | SP | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2 | B-403 | Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants** | III,VII | PA | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 3 | IB-402 | Biochemistry of Hormones** | V,VII | SP | EB | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 4 | IB-405 | Liquid Chromatographic Methods in Biochemistry ** | V,VII | PA | EB | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 5 | ОB047 | Basic Molecular and Cellular Immunology | VII | SP | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 6 | IB-502 | Monosaccharides and Bioactive Derivatives ** | V,VII | SP | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 7 | IB-301 | Toxicological Chemistry | VII | SP | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII | Elective courses from block VIII |
| 8 | IB-406 | Food Biochemistry ** | VI,VIII | PA | EB | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 9 | IHА-406 | Bioanalytical Chemistry | VIII | PA | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | |
| 10 | IB-404 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry** | VI,VIII | SP | EB | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |
| 11 | IB-408 | Biochemistry of Steroids** | VIII | SP | EB | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 12 | IB-506 | Ecological biochemistry** | VI, VIII | TM | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 13 | IB-302 | Natural Antioxidants** | VI, VIII | PA | EB | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 14 | IHО-401 | Synthesis of Biologically Active Molecules | VII | SP | EB | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||
| ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current | ** If the subject is elected in the previous year, it cannot be selected in the current |
- Course type: SP-scientific-professional, AG- academic-general education, TM-theoretical –methodical, AP – artistic – professional, PA – professional applied. S – semester;
- Course status: C – compulsory, EB – elective block. Active teaching hours: АE – auditory exercises, LE – laboratory exercises, OFT – other forms of teaching, SRW – Student Research Work*The minimum of ECTS credits earned in one academic year should be 60. In accordance to this, a student may, but need not, choose elective courses from each of the menu position. For example, in one semester, the student can choose two elective courses from two elective blocks and acquire more than 30 ECTS credits, and in the next semester choose one or none of elective courses, if, together with the compulsory courses, he/she earned the minimum of 60 ECTS, bearing in mind that during one semester he/she is engaged in active teaching between 20 (minimum) and 30 hours (maximum).