Bachelor of Science in Biology (4 years, 240 ECTS)

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The study programme aims at educating students for professional and research-oriented work in the field of biology.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

The first level course of study in the field of biology comprises 4-year study programmes with a minimum of 242 ECTS collected.

Upon completion of the first level study course in Biology, graduates are qualified for working in primarily biological laboratories in different industrial branches or in research laboratories.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Candidates who complete the first level course of study are awarded the title of Bachelor of Science in Biology.

A more detailed description depending on the chosen module (General Biology, Molecular Biology or Microbiology) is provided in the degree supplement.

Admission Conditions

Applicants are required to submit the certificate of completing a four-year secondary education. They are also required to pass the entrance exam in Biology. The applicants are ranked on the basis of the average grade obtained in secondary education and the entrance exam score.

The Structure of the Study Programme

The study programme comprises a group of compulsory and elective courses that are all specified by their syllabi and allocated a strictly defined number of ECTS. The number of ECTS represents the average workload that the student is expected to employ in completing the course. By passing all of the courses (both required and elective), the student collects the minimum of 242 (i.e. 243 or 244, depending on the chosen module) ECTS, which means that the student has gained the relevant knowledge and skills required for earning the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. The first three years of the study programme represent the fundamentals for future specialization in a specific sub-field and include a number of general academic and biology-related courses that all provide the student with general biological knowledge comprising various subdisciplines in the field. There are 29 courses and two field trips in the first three years of studying. These include 22 compulsory courses, two obligatory field trips and 7 elective courses. In the fourth year of studying, the student chooses one of the three modules: General Biology, Molecular Biology or Microbiology.

General Biology module includes 9 courses (six compulsory and three elective) and an obligatory field course.

Molecular Biology module includes 11 courses (nine compulsory and two elective).

Microbiology module includes 11 courses (eight compulsory and three elective) and an obligatory field course.

Each of the courses in study programme is allocated a specific number of ECTS and the overall course of the study programme includes the total of ECTS credits. The total of ECTS per academic year is minimally 60, which represents the average workload of the student in a 40-hour working week per academic year. The overall student workload includes attendance (lectures, practicals, practicums, seminars and field studies), individual studying, tests, examinations and other forms of coursework.

Referring to the total number of ECTS, elective courses are allocated the minimum of 55 ECTS in General Biology module and 49 ECTS in Molecular Biology and Microbiology modules.

The study programme courses that comprise the total number of ECTS are organised in the following groups:

• Academic general knowledge courses that are allocated the minimum of 43 ECTS in General Biology and Microbiology modules and 50 ECTS in Molecular Biology module.
• Theoretically methodological courses that are allocated 47 ECTS in General Biology and Molecular Biology modules and 46 ECTS in Microbiology module.
• Scientifically-oriented specialist courses that are allocated at least 85 ECTS in General Biology module and 87 ECTS in Molecular Biology and Microbiology modules.
• Applicable specialist courses that are allocated at least 68 ECTS in General Biology module, 60 ECTS in Molecular Biology module and 66 ECTS in Microbiology module.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The study programme leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biology takes 4 years (8 semesters). The overall student workload includes all learning activities (lectures, practicals, practicums, seminars and field courses), individual studying, tests, examinations and other forms of coursework.

The total learning hours per academic year are the following: 795 hours in the first year, 885 hours in the second year, and 795 hours in the third year. In the fourth year, General Biology module requires 780 hours, Molecular Biology 825 hours and Microbiology module 795 hours.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

The number of ECTS awarded to each course is shown in the Table enlisting courses per semesters and years of studying, as well as in the Tables showing course specification.

Diploma Work

The study programme does not require the final thesis writing.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

The prerequisites for certain courses are specified in the Course Book.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

The student taking the study programme Bachelor of Science in Biology can choose elective courses from other closely related study programmes (Bachelor of Science in Ecology).

Transferring from Another Study Programme

Transfer from other study programmes to the study programme Bachelor of Science in Biology can be achieved by transferring ECTS. The criteria and conditions for ECTS transfer are regulated by the general act of the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad.

The purpose of the study programme is to educate students within the field of biology and make them competent for work in primarily biological laboratories in different industrial branches or research laboratories. The study programme structure with its general education, theoretical and methodological courses enables students to acquire fundamentals of natural science disciplines. This knowledge is further deepened by subject-related and applicable courses included in the programme. The competences and skills acquired at this level serve as fundamental knowledge necessary for continuing education at master’s degree level in the field of biology and other closely related disciplines.

The objective of the study programme is to educate specialists in the field of biology. Students should develop general skills for acquiring, analysing and synthetising fundamental concepts related to natural sciences, particularly to the field of biology. In addition, students develop skills for application of the gained knowledge as well as efficient laboratory skills. Upon completion of the course of study in biology students are qualified for work in the sectors of industry, agriculture, medicine and other areas that require the application of biological knowledge, as well as in development laboratories, research laboratories nature conservation institutions.

General and Course-specific Competencies of Students

By completing the study programme, graduates acquire general and subject-specific skills that serve as the basis for efficient conducting of professional and research activities.

By completing the study programme, graduates acquire the following general abilities and skills:

• Ability to analyse and synthesise;
• Ability to apply the acquired knowledge;
• Data collecting and processing skills;
• Ability to exchange information, ideas, problems and solutions;
• Successful teamwork skills;
• Basic computing skills.

By completing the study programme, graduates acquire the following subject-specific skills and abilities:

• Application of the acquired knowledge and further professional development;
• Collecting, assessing and interpreting relevant information related to different branches of biology;
• Creating scientifically based and argumentative judgements;
• Comprehension of workplace tasks;
• Efficient communication skills in the field of biology and other related disciplines.

The Outcomes

The learning outcome is a professional with general academic education who possesses considerably broadened knowledge in comparison to the knowledge obtained in secondary education as well as integrated knowledge needed for the comprehension of biological fundamentals. The acquired knowledge and the minimum of 242 ECTS collected provide professional qualifications for work in various biological laboratories and research centres.

Minimum learning outcomes:

• The knowledge of biosystem structure, organization and function at the level of molecules, tissues, organisms and populations;
• The usage of basic biological concepts and understanding the importance of biological disciplines in modern science;
• Laboratory skills;
• Independent search for information in professional publications;
• Successful application of the principles of good laboratory practice in planning, conducting and controlling experiments.