PhD in Biological Sciences (3 years, 180 ECTS) – 2013/2014-2020/2021

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The name of the Study programme is PhD in Biological Sciences (3 years, 180 ECTS), and the objective of the study programme is to educate and train students for professional and research career in different fields of Biological Sciences.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Depending on the chosen concentration, students who complete the master study are awarded the following degree:

• PhD in Biological Sciences

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The duration of the doctoral studies program is 3 years (6 semesters).

Credit Values of Particular Courses

The total number of ECTS credits per semester is 30, with a minimum of 60 credits per academic year.

Diploma Work

Students who complete all of the requirements of this three year doctoral study program, and successfully defend their doctoral dissertation, will be granted the academic title of Doctor of Science-Biological Science (minimum of 480 ECTS credits).

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

Candidates who hold a Magistrate in biological science or a related scientific field, as well as candidates who have completed specialist studies (with a minimum of 360 ECTS credits) are also eligible.

The purpose of the doctoral studies program in biological science is to provide top students with a continuous and comprehensive education in the field of biology, and to enable in depth study of specific biological disciplines. Different scientific courses are organized in groups according to specific biological research areas, to allow for highly specific training of doctoral candidates in their chosen field, and to prepare doctoral candidates for future careers in academic research institutions, as well as professional, developmental and regulatory bodies and government agencies. By differentiating the curriculum content within the framework of specific research areas, while at the same time integrating these disciplines within the interdisciplinary field of modern biology, a flexible, modular system of knowledge is achieved.

The overall aim of doctoral studies in biological science is to prepare highly-qualified, highly-specialized PhD scientists for independent research, research team management and mangement of national and international projects. Wide-ranging and complex fundamental and practical biological knowledge, will allow future PhD scientists to perform independent scientific work, and successfully engage in scientific communication with experts in biological sciences and related disciplines. Knowledge acquired through this program can be directly applied in practical and theoretical scientific research, and will promote transfer of knowledge to younger researchers.

The major outcome of the doctoral study program in biological science is an expert, doctor of biological sciences, with an academic education, which includes significantly expanded and deepened knowledge above and beyond that gained during Master’s studies. The program is designed to provide PhD scientists with the necessary expertise and competencies for work in laboratories and research centers focused on biological research.

Upon completion of doctoral studies, Doctors of biological sciences will have the following competencies:

• the ability to practically apply acquired fundamental knowledge in biology and related sciences to current scientific research;
• the ability to independently plan and conduct research experiments;
• the ability to lead and manage research teams and organizations;
• the ability to independently communicate and publish various scientific and technical information;
• the ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems which may arise during biological research;
• the ability to scientifically interpret experimental data and effectively communicate scientific information.