PhD in Ecological 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  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.