Name and the Goals of the Study Programme
The name of the Study programme is PhD in Ecological 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 Ecological 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 Ecological Sciences
The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms
The duration of the doctoral studies program is 3 years (6 semesters).
Particular Courses
Doctoral studies in ecological sciences are conducted through coursework as listed in the list of courses. Courses will be taught on a semester basis, with two semesters comprising one 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-Ecological Science (minimum of 480 ECTS credits).
The purpose of the doctoral studies program in ecological science is to provide top students with a continuous and comprehensive education in the field of ecology, and to enable in depth study of specific ecological disciplines. Different scientific courses are organized in groups according to specific 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 and ecology, a flexible, modular system of knowledge is achieved.
The overall aim of doctoral studies in ecological 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 ecological knowledge, will allow future PhD scientists to perform independent scientific work, and successfully engage in scientific communication with experts in biological and ecological 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 ecological science is an expert, doctor of ecological 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 ecological research.
Upon completion of doctoral studies, Doctors of ecological sciences will have the following competencies:
- the ability to practically apply acquired fundamental knowledge in ecology 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 ecological research;
- the ability to scientifically interpret experimental data and effectively communicate scientific information.
Doctoral studies are conducted through coursework listed in Table 5.4. Courses will be taught on a semester basis, with two semesters comprising one academic year. The total number of ECTS credits per semester is 30, with a minimum of 60 credits per academic year.
The total duration of the study program is 3 years (6 semesters), during which time doctoral candidates must have completed at least 180 ECTS credits.
Doctoral candidates complete the study program after successful preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation, through which the candidate demonstrates independence and creativity in the application of theoretical and practical knowledge in his/her specific ecological research area. Doctoral dissertations are registered and prepared during the second and third year of doctoral studies, comprising a total of 90 ECTS credits.
The study program consists of six elective courses of 15 ECTS credits each (90 ECTS total). Courses are chosen by candidates in consultation with their advisor (who is appointed by the Academic Council of the Faculty for each candidate) and future mentor. In addition to the doctoral dissertation, candidates are required to publish the results of their research in a relevant journal listed in the SCI list.
A Distribution of the Courses into Semesters and Academic Years
Code | Course title | Semester | Required/Elective | Credit hours | Credit hours | ECTS | |||
Code | Course title | L | P | SR | O | ECTS | |||
First Year | First Year | ||||||||
1 | Elective course | I | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | Elective course | 15 | |
2 | Elective course | I | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 | ||
3 | Elective course | II | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 15 | |
4 | Elective course | II | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Elective course | 2 | |
Total credit hours = 40 | Total credit hours = 40 | ||||||||
Second Year | Second Year | ||||||||
1 | Elective course | III | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | Elective course | 15 | |
2 | Elective course | III | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | Elective course | 15 | |
3 | Doctoral dissertation work | IV | R | 0 | 20 | 20 | Doctoral dissertation work | 30 | |
Total credit hours = 40 | Total credit hours = 40 | ||||||||
Third Year | Third Year | ||||||||
Doctoral dissertation work | V | R | 0 | 20 | 20 | Doctoral dissertation work | 15 | ||
Preparation of scientific paper for submission for publication in a relevant journal from SCI list | VI | R | 0 | 20 | 20 | Preparation of scientific paper for submission for publication in a relevant journal from SCI list | 15 | ||
Total credit hours = 40 | Total credit hours = 40 | ||||||||
Doctoral dissertation work | VI | 0 | 30 |
- 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
Elective courses in the Study Program
No | Course code | Course title | Course status | Credit hours | Credit hours | ECTS | Instructors | ||
Course title | Lecture | Lecture | SRW | SRW | ECTS | ||||
1 | DNE001 | Physiological plant ecology | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | E | 15 | Pajević P. Slobodanka Nikolić P. Nataša |
2 | DNE003 | Forest ecosystems and sustainable development | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | E | 15 | Orlović S. Saša |
3 | DNE004 | Extreme Biochemistry | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | E | 15 | Grubor-Lajšić M. Gordana, Kojić K. Danijela |
4 | DNE005 | Microbial ecology II | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | DNE005 | 15 | Radnović V. Dragan |
5 | DNE006 | Ecotoxicology 2 | E | 5 | 5 | 5 | E | 15 | Teodorović S. Ivana |
6 | DNE007 | Microbial toxins | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Matavulj N. Milan, Svirčev B. Zorica, Simeunović B. Jelica | ||
7 | DNE008 | Ground water and drinking water microbiology | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Knežević N. Petar | ||
8 | DNE009 | Microbiology polluted waters | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Simeunović B. Jelica | ||
9 | DNE010 | Diversity of Serbian vertebrate fauna- endangerment and protection | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Popović J. Ester, Kostić S. Desanka, Vujić A. Ante | ||
10 | DNE011 | Ecology and diversity of tetrapode vertebrates | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Popović J. Ester | ||
11 | DNE012 | Management of protected areas and ecosystems | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Vujić A. Ante Milić M. Dubravka | ||
12 | DNE013 | Influence of ecological factors on human populations | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Rakić S. Rada Pavlica M. Tatjana | ||
13 | DNBE001 | Mathematical and statistical methods in biological research | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Tepavčević Andreja | ||
14 | DNBE002 | Methodology of scientific research | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Milankov R. Vesna | ||
15 | DNE014 | Data analysis in hydrobiology | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Miljanović M. Branko Jurca Tamara | ||
16 | DNE015 | Macroinvertebrates in monitoring of waterecosystems | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Miljanović M. Branko Jurca Tamara | ||
17 | DNE016 | Quantitative ecology | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Radulović B. Snežana | ||
18 | DNE017 | Ecology of invasive plants | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Radulović B. Snežana | ||
19 | DNE018 | Syntaxonomy | E | 5 | 5 | 15 | Radulović B. Snežana |
- 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