Name and the Goals of the Study Programme
The objective of the study program PhD in Ecology is the education of Ph.D.s in various narrow ecological areas, which are educated and skilled for an independent scientific research, for the management of the research teams and national and international projects.
The Outcome of the Study Process
The outcome of the study process in this study program is an broad and comprehensive ecological fundamental and practical knowledge, which provides graduated students competencies for the independent scientific work, quality scientific communication, use of scientific literature, identification, analysis and problem solving in the field of ecology and related disciplines. The acquired level of knowledge enables Ph.D.s in Ecology to perform successful scientific research work and practical work, as well as transfer knowledge to younger researchers (mentoring).
Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title
Ph.D. in Ecology
Admission Conditions
In order to enroll in the study program, a candidate must have completed bachelor and master academic studies or integrated academic studies in Ecology, or related scientific fields (300 ECTS minimum). Applicants who have completed previous levels of study in fields related to the ecological sciences should have passed courses in ecological disciplines and disciplines relevant to the completion of doctoral studies in the amount of a minimum 180 ECTS, which will be evaluated by the Commission for Admission to Doctoral Studies. Candidates who have completed higher education according to the regulations that were in force until the enactment of the Law may enroll in the studies. Candidates who have completed specialist academic studies with a minimum of 360 ECTS can also be enrolled to doctoral study program.
The Commission for Admission to Doctoral Studies, after evaluation of submitted documentation, determines, if necessary, a certain number of additional subjects that the candidate must pass before taking exams at courses on doctoral studies, from the program of bachelor and master studies of ecology at the Department of Biology and Ecology at the Faculty of Sciences (which do not count into the ECTS of PhD program).
The Structure of the Study Programme
Ph.D. in Ecology study program lasts 3 years (6 semesters). The total number of ECTS is 180, per semester 30 ECTS, and for the academic year 60 ECTS. The structure of the study program consists of a set of compulsory and elective subjects, which provides the necessary knowledge, competences and skills for obtaining the Ph.D. degree – Ph.D. in Ecology. Ph.D. in Ecology study program consists of subjects whose content and ECTS are listed in the course list within the Standard 5. The student may, if he/she wishes, to choose one elective course from the related doctoral study program at the Department of Biology and Ecology.
Active teaching classes are realized through lectures and students research work. Furthermore, consultations with faculties and student advisor or mentor are additional form of teaching. The number of points for each subject is determined in relation to the set of tasks that the student has to complete in order to achieve the learning goals and outcomes. Within each subject, teaching activities are defined according to the goals and outcomes of the subject and the time required for each teaching activity, so that the total student engagement within the given subject corresponds to the number of ECTS assigned for the subject. The scoring method which is in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System is shown within Standard 5.
The doctoral dissertation is the final part of the study program. The doctoral dissertation proposal is submitted during the second or third year of the Ph.D. studies, and its finalization provides a total of 90 ECTS. The number of the ECTS assigned for the doctoral dissertation includes work on the Ph.D. research through Seminar 1 and Seminar 2, then the preparation of a scientific paper for publication in a journal from the SCI list (in which the student is the first author), as well as the preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation (Doctoral dissertation work). In addition to the work on the doctoral dissertation defined by the plan of doctoral studies and publishing at least 1 scientific paper in a journal on the SCI list, the student is obliged to publish 1 scientific paper in the national journal of category M50 or in the journal on the SCI list in the field of doctoral dissertation, obtained by working on a doctoral dissertation and in which the student is also the first author.
The purpose of doctoral studies Ph.D. in Ecology is to provide continuous and comprehensive education for the best students in the field of Ecology who have an interest in scientific research and to produce Ph.D.s of various narrow ecological areas. Targeted selection of offered courses, and their combination, aims to provide different narrow, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary ecological Ph.D. profiles. Through this program, students will improve their theoretical knowledge and gain skills of modern experimental methods in ecological research to such an extent that they can apply those in all levels required in community, present them to professional audience and to publish their results in peer-reviewed international and national scientific journals.
The curriculum of the study program is designed to enable students to acquire modern and integrated knowledge in ecology, which provide graduated students ability to conduct independent scientific research, lead research teams, manage national and international projects, encourage critical and creative thinking, and develop the ability to critically evaluate experiments and contribute to the development of new scientific ideas and technologies.
The study program is designed in accordance with mission and the quality policy of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad in the field of educational and scientific research work. The realization of this study program is based on the existence of competent teaching staff and the existence of good technical support and equipment at the Faculty.
The goal of the doctoral study program Ph.D. in Ecology is to form highly competent scientists in various narrow ecological areas, trained primarily for independent scientific research work, but also for a work in research teams. Students acquire the highest level of knowledge and critical thinking, understanding of current problems and solving them, achieving a high level of academic skills, which qualifies them for scientific research and professional work. The study program encourages the development of creative original ideas and solutions, which is of specific importance in ecology that deals with large natural systems.. Extensive and complex ecological fundamental and practical knowledge should provide the future Ph.D. with competencies for independent scientific work and team work, for management of research teams and national and international projects, for promoting quality scientific communication and application of knowledge in practice, as well as for transferring knowledge to young researchers (supervision). Students are expected to gain the ability to follow and evaluate relevant scientific literature. At the end of their studies, students should acquire the highest level of ability to understand and present scientific information related to mechanisms of ecological interactions at all levels.
The goals of the study program are in line with the same and related study programs and contemporary trends in the development of ecology in Europe and the world.
The goals of the study program are in accordance with the basic tasks and goals of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad in terms of success in the field of education and scientific and research work.
General and Course-specific Competencies of Students
By mastering the study program, the student acquires the following general skills for:
- independent planning and conducting of scientific work
- work in team
- understanding and solving practical and theoretical problems arising during the scientific work in the field of ecology
- engagement in national and international projects, as well as the ability to lead research teams and organizations and to work in broad research teams
- practical application of acquired fundamental knowledge in ecology and related sciences in scientific research work, with the aim of developing new technologies and solutions
- critical logical thinking, formulating assumptions, drawing conclusions and developing creative ideas for problem solving
- respecting the principles of the ethical code of good scientific practice
- scientifically based interpretation of experimental data
- independent presentation and publication of various scientific data,
- contribution to the development of new knowledge in ecology and science in general.
By mastering the study program, the student acquires the following subject-specific competences:
- comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the processes and laws in the narrow ecological area within which they completed their doctoral dissertation
- unification of acquired knowledge in order to solve specific problems in the scientific research work in the narrow ecological area within which they completed their doctoral dissertation
- understanding mechanisms and integrating knowledge in the field of ecology and related fields and its practical application in scientific work
- follow-up of scientific literature and contemporary developments in the profession
- development of academic and practical skills required for scientific work in the field of ecology
- use of information and communication technologies for the development of new skills, as well as application of innovations in the profession.
The competencies of the graduated Ph.D. in Ecology students enable students further development of their professional scientific work, transfer of knowledge to younger researchers and application of knowledge in practice through work in industry and the public sector.
The qualification level according to the national qualifications framework proposed by the National Council for Higher Education and adopted by the Ministry, which is obtained after the completion of the study program is the eighth level. Ph.D. in Ecology possess advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of ecological sciences, necessary for critical analysis of experimental data and for conducting original research in the field of ecology and related fields, with the purpose of expanding and redefining existing knowledge in scientific and practical work. By mastering the study program, students acquire skills to apply advanced and specialized academic knowledge and techniques necessary to solve key research problems and to expand and redefine existing knowledge, to apply scientific communication skills to explain and criticize theories, methodologies and conclusions, as well as to present research findings following international standards to the scientific community. The ability to develop new tools, methodologies and patents relevant to the ecological sciences is acquired through study program. Ph.Ds in Ecology have the ability to independently evaluate results and achievements in order to advance existing and develop new models, concepts, ideas and theories in ecology, acquire innovation, promote scientific and professional integrity and commitment to develop new ideas and processes that are crucial for professional work, through the principle of critical evaluation and self-evaluation of their work and achievements, to design, analyze and implement research that makes a significant and original contribution to general knowledge or professional practice, manage interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects, teams and work tasks within the scientific work and to independently launch a national and international cooperation in science and development.
Doctoral studies are conducted through the teaching of the subjects listed in the course list. The total number of ECTS per semester is 30, and for the academic year is 60. The total duration of the study program is 3 years (6 semesters), during which the student must earn at least 180 ECTS.
Teaching hours are organized in the form of lectures and student research work (SIR).
The studies consist of 6 elective courses each of 15 ECTS (90 ECTS in total, which is 50% of the total ECTS). Elective subjects are selected by the student in agreement with the student advisor or future mentor, who is appointed by the Faculty Teaching Council for each individual student. The student may, if he / she wishes, choose one elective subject from related doctoral study programs at the Department of Biology and Ecology.
The studies also include two compulsory research activities of students Seminar 1 and Seminar 2, after which the student acquires a total of 60 ECTS (Seminar 1 30 ECTS and Seminar 2 30 ECTS), which are part of the ECTS within the scope of the doctoral dissertation. Seminar 1 is conducted in the fourth semester of doctoral studies, and involves preparation of a presentation in collaboration with a student advisor / mentor, which includes the presentation of state of art in the topic of doctoral dissertation, hypotheses and goals of the doctoral dissertation, as well as an overview of selected methods, presentation of work plan and expected research results. Seminar 2 is conducted in the fifth semester of doctoral studies, and involves the preparation of a presentation in collaboration with a mentor, which includes presentation of the obtained results, their critical discussion and conclusions. A detailed description of the procedure of defense and evaluation of Seminars 1 and Seminar 2 is given in the subjects’ book. In addition, the preparation of a scientific paper for publication in a journal from the SCI list, which is realized in the 6th semester (10 ECTS) is also mandatory and forms part of the ECTS within the work on the doctoral dissertation.
The total number of teaching hours in the first two years of study is 30 of the total of 80 hours of active teaching (lectures + study research work, SIR), or 37.5%. The third year of study includes active teaching classes only through study research work (SIR). The share of lectures in active teaching hours over the three years is 30 hours of lectures out of a total of 120 hours of active teaching (lectures + study research work), or 25%.
Doctoral studies are completed with the preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation, whereby the candidate demonstrates independence and creativity in the application of theoretical and practical knowledge in the selected field of ecology. The doctoral dissertation proposal is submitted during the second or third year of the doctoral studies, and in total provides 90 ECTS (i.e. 50% of the total number of credits) which are included in the total number of ECTS required for the completion of the studies. Doctoral dissertation includes the obligation to publish at least one scientific paper in a SCI journal and one scientific paper in a national journal of category M50 or in a SCI journal from the field of doctoral dissertation, containing the results obtained from the PhD research work and where the student is the first author.
The application procedure, the requirements for developing and defending the doctoral dissertation are established in the Statute and the corresponding acts of the Faculty of Sciences and the University of Novi Sad.
Subjects distribution by semesters and academic years