Bachelor of Science in Ecology (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 ecology.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

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

Upon completion of the first level study course in Ecology, graduates are qualified for laboratory work related to ecological and environmental problems as well as in institutions for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

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

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 the student has gained the relevant knowledge and skills required for earning the Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology.

The curriculum of the 4-year study programme comprises 46 courses – 34 of them are compulsory, 8 are elective and there are 4 obligatory field trips.

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.

The total number of ECTS equals 242, and elective courses are allocated the minimum of 49 ECTS.

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 35 ECTS;
• Theoretically methodological courses that are allocated 71 ECTS;
• Scientifically-oriented specialist courses that are allocated at least 83 ECTS;
• Applicable specialist courses that are allocated at least 53 ECTS depending on the selection of electives; the total of ECTS in this group of courses equals 148.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The study programme leading to the Bachelor of Science in Ecology 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:

• 825 hours in the first year,
• 855 hours in the second year,
• 855 hours in the third year,
• 765 hours in the fourth year.

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 Ecology can choose elective courses from other closely related study programmes (Bachelor of Science in Biology).

Transferring from Another Study Programme

Transfer from other study programmes to the study programme Bachelor of Science in Ecology 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 ecology and make them competent for work in laboratories focusing on ecological and environmental protection research as well as in institutions for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity. 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 the basis of fundamental knowledge necessary for continuing the educational process at master’s degree level in the field of ecology and other closely related disciplines.

The objective of the study programme is to educate professionals in the field of ecology. Students should develop general skills for acquiring, analysing and synthetising fundamental concepts related to natural sciences, particularly to ecology. 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 ecology students are qualified for work in ecological laboratories of different industry branches, research laboratories and protected areas. The knowledge gained during the course of study can be easily applied in everyday work as well as in research activities.

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:

• Acquired fundamental knowledge in the field of biology, ecology and environmental protection;
• Application of the acquired knowledge and further professional development;
• Collecting, assessing and interpreting relevant information related to different branches of ecology;
• Creating scientifically based and argumentative judgements;
• Comprehension of workplace tasks;
• Efficient communication skills in the field of ecology 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 ecological fundamentals. The acquired knowledge provides professional qualifications for work in ecological laboratories and research centres.

Minimum learning outcomes:

• The knowledge of biosystem structure, organization and function at the level of organisms, populations and ecosystems;
• The usage of basic biological and ecological concepts and understanding the importance of biodiversity conservation;
• Comprehension of the complexity of environmental and sustainable development issues;
• Laboratory and field work skills;
• Independent search for information in professional publications.