Master of Science in Biology (1 year, 60 ЕCTS)

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The study programme aims at educating students for professional and research career in various subfields of biology.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

Master’s level studies in biology comprise one-year study programme with a minimum of 60 ECTS collected.

Upon completion of the course of study and depending on the chosen module (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or Animal Physiology), graduates are qualified for working and managing primarily biological laboratories in different industrial branches or research laboratories. The acquired knowledge enables them to apply it easily and efficiently in their workplace.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Candidates who complete the second level course of study are awarded the title of Master of Science in Biology.

A more detailed description depending on the chosen module is provided in the degree supplement.

Admission Conditions

Applicants are required to possess a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and 240 ECTS collected. Candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree in some other closely related field of study can also apply. These applicants may be required to pass a certain number of courses that are included in the curriculum of Bachelor’s degree studies in Biology at the Faculty of Sciences based on the decision of Master’s Studies Commission and the head of a specific Master’s degree programme. All applicants are ranked on the basis of the period of time needed to complete Bachelor’s degree studies and the grade point average obtained.

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 that ensure that the student has gained the relevant knowledge and skills required for earning the second level degree in sciences.

The curriculum of the one-year course of study includes:

• Master of Science in Biology – Modules: Botany, Zoology and Microbiology

The student chooses five elective courses from the list of elective courses of a specific module (Botany, Zoology or Microbiology) and is required to complete and defend the final (Master’s) thesis. One of the five elective courses can be chosen from the list of elective courses of another module or a Master’s degree study programme offered at the Department of Biology and Ecology in Novi Sad, taking care that the total number of collected ECTS should be no less than 60.

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 60 ECTS 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 study programme is comprised of scientifically-oriented specialist and applicable specialist courses.

• Master of Science in Biology – Module: Molecular Biology

The student takes two compulsory courses and chooses three out of 14 elective courses offered. The student is required to complete and defend the final (Master’s) thesis. One of the three elective courses can be chosen from the list of elective courses of another module or a Master’s degree study programme offered at the Department of Biology and Ecology in Novi Sad, taking care that the total number of collected ECTS should be no less than 60.

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 60 ECTS 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 study programme is comprised of scientifically-oriented specialist and applicable specialist courses.

• Master of Science in Biology – Module: Animal Physiology

The student takes one compulsory course and chooses four out of nine elective courses offered. The student is required to complete and defend the final (Master’s) thesis. One of the four elective courses can be chosen from the list of elective courses of another module or a Master’s degree study programme offered at the Department of Biology and Ecology in Novi Sad, taking care that the total number of collected ECTS should be no less than 60.

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 60 ECTS 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 study programme is comprised of scientifically-oriented specialist and applicable specialist courses.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The Master’s degree studies leading to the Master of Science in Biology takes one year (two semesters).

The total of working hours varies as it depends on the chosen module and the selection of elective courses.

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 for the modules Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Animal Physiology, as well as in the Tables showing course specification.

Diploma Work

The study programme requires the final thesis writing and its defence. The final thesis is allocated 25 ECTS.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

The prerequisites for certain courses are specified in the Tables showing course specification.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

All elective courses are defined within the study programme and the student chooses them from the list of the offered elective courses. There is also a possibility of choosing one elective course from another module or a Master’s degree study programme offered at the Department of Biology and Ecology in Novi Sad.

Transferring from Another Study Programme

Transfer from other closely related study programmes to the study programme Master 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. The study programme structure with its scientific, specialist and applicable courses enables students to continually improve their academic knowledge in the field of biology. The competences and skills acquired at this level serve as the basis of fundamental knowledge necessary for continuing the educational process at doctoral level in the field of biology and other closely related disciplines.

Specific purpose of the study programme is to enable students for:

• Research in biological laboratories of various specialties in the field of botany, zoology, microbiology, molecular biology and animal physiology, as well as in research centres of fundamental biology and other medical (forensic medicine) and biochemical laboratories;
• Work in public administration, inspection services and research centres of various state, private and public companies.

The objective of the study programme is to educate highly competent professionals in the field of biology. A more specific objective, obtained through the offered modules, is to educate professionals who will improve and specialize their broad knowledge obtained during the first level course by focusing on specific highly specialized areas in the field of botany, zoology, microbiology, molecular biology and animal physiology. The learning outcome will be professionals capable of conducting research in both pure and applied areas of study. This is achieved by interrelating the contents of different scientific, subject-specific and applicable specialist courses that provide professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.

General and Course-specific Competencies of Students

By completing the study programme, graduates acquire general and subject-specific abilities and skills necessary for successful professional and research career.

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

• logical thinking, formulating presumptions and drawing conclusions;
• disseminating and publishing scientific and subject-specific information, expressing opinions and exchanging ideas;
• individual and team work skills;
• designing and conducting experiments;
• scientifically-based interpretation of empirical results;
• efficient scientific communication;
• managing research teams;
• positive attitude towards lifelong learning.

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

• application of acquired fundamentals in biology and other related fields of study;
• planning, accumulating, assessing and interpreting relevant information related to various biological subdisciplines;
• comprehending and coping with problems that may appear at workplace and are related to the field of biology;
• planning and evaluating their continual professional development.

The Outcomes

The learning outcome is a specialist of high-level academic education with widely deepened and improved knowledge gained during the previous level of study as well as with integrated knowledge necessary for understanding scientific fundamentals of biology. The acquired knowledge provides the competence for work in biological laboratories and research centres and in all areas of applied biology.

Minimum learning outcomes:

• Understanding the significance of biological disciplines in modern science;
• Integrated knowledge of functional organization of biological systems at the level of molecules, tissues, organisms and populations;
• Acquired biological knowledge ensures originality in development and application of ideas in research practice;
• Ability to solve problems in new environments including a broader, multidisciplinary context;
• Independent search of information in professional publications
• The application of successful laboratory practice principles in experiment planning, conducting and control.
• The usage of basic biological concepts and understanding the importance of biological disciplines for modern science;
• Laboratory skills and ability to conduct simple experiments in school conditions;
• Searching for information in professional publications;
• Successful application of standard principles in planning, conducting and controlling.