The Structure of the Study Programme

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

Name of the Study Program: Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst.

The Goal of the Study Program of Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst is to educate and train professionals who will be capable of performing quality control of the environment from the aspects of chemical, biological and physico-chemical analysis of the environment.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

Bachelor studies for a period of four years (eight semesters).

 In addition to gaining knowledge in all fields of natural sciences, which are focused on the environment, students will acquire basic knowledge of physical, chemical and biological principles of environmental protection. By mastering the appropriate courses, students are trained to understand the processes in the environment. The final outcome of the study is to enable students to monitor processes in the environment (monitoring of emissions) and control emissions of industrial waste streams, and the impact of toxic substances on the ecosystem. By mastering methods for processing waste streams, various industries acquired the necessary knowledge to design a methodology for the control of pollution and remediation of certain locations in the environment, as well as processes in plants to remove pollutants and selection of appropriate methods for the analysis of pollutants. Apart from the application of various methods and techniques for the measurement and analysis of pollutants, students will be able to apply software to process data in order to obtain information for the adoption of measures to protect the environment in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Basic knowledge of methods of environmental management will be acquired.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

After completing the four-year study and earning 240 ECTS, the students obtain professional title of Bachelor with Honours in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst.

Admission Conditions

Registration of candidates is done on the basis of a competition announced by the University of Novi Sad (UNS), which is conducted by the Faculty of Sciences.
In order to be eligible for the admission to the first year of bachelor studies in environmental protection – environmental protection analyst, students should:

  • have completed their secondary education in duration of four years;
  • take the entrance examination in selected areas of chemistry, biology and physics, according to the general type of high school program.
  • The order of candidates for admission shall be based on the general success achieved in secondary education and the results obtained in the entrance exam. Based on the criteria of the competition, UNS makes a final ranking list of candidates. Available places on the undergraduate program are allocated based on the place within the ranking.

The Structure of the Study Programme

Tables show the lists of the compulsory and elective courses along with the ECTS points and weekly hours of lectures and exercises.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

Teaching is realized through the courses given in Tables, distributed into semesters, two semesters making one academic year.

The total duration of studies is 4 years (8 semesters), where students are expected to collect 240 ECTS.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

Tables give the numbers of ECTS credits for each course in the Study Program.

Diploma Work

The final year of the Study Program of Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection -Environmental Protection Analyst ends with the completion and defence of the Bachelor Thesis, an independent student’s work which represents the final exam for obtaining the academic title of the Bachelor with Honours in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst.

By completing and defending the Bachelor Thesis, the student demonstrates independence and creativity in the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired in the area of environmental sciences. The Bachelor Thesis is carried out in the eighth semester, in the frame of the research study. The total value of this work is 12 ЕCTS.

Detailed regulations concerning the registration, requirements and the procedure of defending this work are prescribed by the Statute and the corresponding acts of the Faculty of Sciences.

If a student wants to end their study after the third year, project work in the sixth semester is required. This project is an independent work of the student and is the final exam for the academic title- Environmental Analyst.

Through elaboration and defence of the project work, the student demonstrates independence and creativity in the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired in the area of environmental sciences. The final work is written out in the sixth semester, in the frame of the research study. The total value of this work is 6 ЕCTS.

The Purpose of the Study Programme

Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst, have a dual purpose: considering that the studies are organized according to the system 4+1, the first four-years degree at the university educates professionals in the field of environmental protection – Bachelor with Honours in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst; the second degree through a one-year study gives  the title Master in Environmental Protection Analysis. In this sense, by the selection of topics relating to environmental protection, from the natural and social sciences, the program forms a basis for the continuation of successful academic studies primarily in environmental protection.

In addition to this role within the 4+1 system, the basic studies have an independent purpose. Qualified graduates can work in industry in jobs dealing with rehabilitation of waste streams in order to protect the environment, and in the institutions involved in the measurement and control of the quality of different segments of the environment.

The need for educated professionals in the field of science in modern society, science and technology is undeniable. The inevitable engagement of natural scientists in teams dealing with the problems of pollution and environmental protection creates a need to expand their knowledge about the environment. This study program was designed to train students for jobs requiring knowledge of environmental science. The course develops the student’s capability of measuring and monitoring pollution in the environment, with the aim of analysing data and undertaking appropriate measures to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.

Such professionals are needed to work in laboratories engaged in analysis and environmental quality control, teams engaged in establishing systems of environmental protection, state agencies, inspection teams, teams for research and development, teams for environmental impact analysis, environmental consulting companies, the non-governmental sector for the environment and the education of the population, educational activities, etc. In addition, after graduating, the students may continue their training in the master studies in similar and related areas.

Required profiles are experts in the laboratory that deal with the monitoring of the environment or the plants for waste streams from the production process.

The Goals of the Study Programme

The goals of the study program of Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection -Environmental Protection Analyst is to educate and train professionals who will take measurements and control the environment by (1) providing broad and balanced knowledge of key chemical, biological and physical processes, as well as the conditions and processes in the environment and the mechanisms of cause-effect relationships and processes in the environment, (2) introducing students to the basic methods of environmental protection technology, (3) developing a range of practical skills to enable students to understand, interpret and evaluate relevant information in the field of environmental protection, (4) introducing students to the basics of environmental management in order to ensure sustainable development and (5) finally, by providing students with the basic knowledge and skills that will enable them to seek employment in the profession or continue their education in the field of environmental protection.

In accordance with the defined objectives, after completing a study of Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst, the student is able to: (1) perform measurements and control the quality of the environment in order to collect and process data on pollutants, (2) take measures to protect the environment in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, (3) independently or in a team, apply modern methods and techniques for determining the physical, biological and chemical agents in all areas of the environmental, (4) use computers to collect and record facts for solving practical problems in the field of environmental protection.

In addition to these professional goals, students need to develop analytical, critical and self-critical thinking approaches to address the challenges in the field of environmental protection and master the application of modern analytical equipment and computers in practice. Through seminar papers and projects, the students learn to search the Internet and electronic databases for the relevant literature, and participate in individual and team work.

In addition to employment opportunities in the laboratories to monitor the quality of the environment, industry and public companies, there is an opportunity for further training and gaining the title of the master analyst of environmental protection.

The Skills of Students upon Completion of the Programme
By completing this study program the student improves the following general competences:

  • skill of collecting, assessing, and interpreting relevant information;
  • capability to formulate science-based arguments and judgments taking into account scientific, social, ethical values;
  • capacity for team work and exchange of ideas and information with other team members;
  • adherence to professional ethics;
  • ability to understand environmental issues;
  • ability to formulate arguments relating to problems in the field of environmental protection;
  • capacity to apply knowledge in practice;
  • capability for further academic training, especially in environmental protection;
  • basic computer skills, capacity to apply knowledge in practice.

By mastering the Undergraduate Studies in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst, the student obtains the following special competencies:

  • development of basic knowledge of the environment;
  • development of basic knowledge in the analysis of the environment;
  • practical experimental skills and methods in the field of environmental protection;
  • the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in the methods of environmental protection in practice;
  • ability to cooperate with other experts in the field of environmental technology and other technical and applied sciences;
  • ability to analyze a problem in the environment, and propose and implement appropriate solutions to that problem.

Outcome of the study is an expert with the basic academic qualifications, significantly wider and more fundamental knowledge in relation to secondary education, with integrated knowledge and ability to understand the scientific basis for environmental protection, and with the ability to define and interpret specific terminology.

The Curriculum

The study program of Bachelor Academic Studies in Environmental Protection – Environmental Protection Analyst, lasts for 4 years, and comprises 34 courses: first year – 8 courses, the second year – 9 courses, third year – 8 courses and fourth years – 9 courses.

Of the total number courses, 21 are compulsory and the other 12 the student chooses from the list of the corresponding elective blocks of 91 courses. The distribution of courses into semesters and study years, status of a given course, the number of classes and number of ECTS credits are given in Table, with an example of an “arbitrary” student enrolled in this study program. All courses last for one semester.

In the first two years of obligatory subjects, the student mainly acquires basic knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics. In the third and fourth year courses, the field of environmental protection dominates. Students are able to select appropriate electives for the desired professional profile. Students must choose sufficient elective courses to obtain at least 60 ECTS per academic year. Thus a student may, but is not required to, choose electives in all electoral positions. For example, in one semester, students can choose two electives offered in two elective positions and achieve more than 30 ECTS points, and then in the second semester of the two elective positions select one or no elective subject, if the compulsory subjects cover a minimum 60 ECTS credits, taking into account that during the semester involved, at least 20 hours of active teaching up to a maximum of 30 hours must be taken.

The Book of Courses gives brief descriptions of all the courses in the given study program, name of the teacher, status of the course, number of ECTS credits, course objectives, expected outcomes, requirements for enrolling in the course, course subject matter, recommended literature, evaluation of knowledge and testing, etc

Distribution of the Courses into Semesters and Academic Years

WordPress Responsive Table
  • Course type: AO-academic and general education, ТМ-theoretical-methodological, SP-scientific-professional, PА-professional applicative
  • Course status: O-obligatory, E-elective block
  • Teaching hours: L-lecture, E-exercise, АE-auditory exercises, LE-laboratory exercises, OTF-other teaching forms (seminar work, etc.), SRW-study research work

* The minimum of ECTS credits earned in one academic year should be 60. In accordance with 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 a minimum of 20 hours and maximum 30 hours.

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Elective courses in the Study Program

WordPress Responsive Table
  • Course type: AO-academic and general education, ТМ-theoretical-methodological, SP-scientific-professional, PА-professional applicative
  • Course status: O-obligatory, E-elective block
  • Teaching hours: L-lecture, E-exercise, АE-auditory exercises, LE-laboratory exercises, OTF-other teaching forms (seminar work, etc.), SRW-study research work
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