Name and the Goals of the Study Programme
The objective of the study programme Ph.D. in Geography is the education of PhDs in various narrow geographical areas, which are trained and skilled for independent scientific research, for participating in the research teams of national and international projects.
The Outcome of the Study Process
The outcome of the study process in this study programme is extensive and comprehensive geographical fundamental and practical knowledge, which provides graduate students competencies for independent scientific work, quality scientific communication, use of scientific literature, identification, analysis, and problem-solving in the field of geography and related geosciences. The acquired level of knowledge enables PhDs in Geosciences to perform successful scientific research work and practical work, as well as the transfer of knowledge to younger researchers (mentoring).
Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title
Ph.D. in Geosciences.
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 Geography, or related scientific fields (300 ECTS minimum). 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 Structure of the Study Programme
PhD in Geography study programme 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 programme consists of a set of compulsory and elective subjects, which provides the necessary knowledge, competences, and skills for obtaining the PhD degree – PhD in Geosciences. PhD in Geography study programme consists of subjects whose content and ECTS are listed in the course list.
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 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 PhD research through Scientific research 1 1 and Scientific research 2.
To be allowed to defend the doctoral dissertation, the student is obliged to have either published or accepted for publishing in an international journal a scientific paper from the field of the doctoral dissertation in which the student is the first author. The category of the international journal is defined in the Rulebook of the Faculty of Sciences for Doctoral studies.
The purpose of doctoral studies PhD in Geography is to provide a continuous and comprehensive education for the best students in the field of Geography who have an interest in scientific research and to produce PhDs of various narrow geographical areas. Through this program, students will improve their theoretical knowledge and gain skills of modern experimental methods in geographical research to such an extent that they can present them to a professional audience and to publish their results in peer-reviewed international and national scientific journals.
The curriculum of the study programme is designed to enable students to acquire modern and integrated knowledge in Geosciences, which provide graduated students ability to conduct independent scientific research, lead research teams, manage national and international projects, encourage critical and creative thinking, and contribute to the development of new scientific ideas and technologies.
The goal of the doctoral study programme PhD in Geography is to form highly competent scientists in various narrow geosciences areas, trained primarily for independent scientific research work. 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 programme encourages the development of creative original ideas. Extensive and complex, fundamental and practical geographical knowledge should provide the future PhD with competencies for independent scientific work, for participating in research teams of 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.
General and Course-specific Competencies of Students
By mastering the study programme, the student acquires the following general skills for:
- independent planning and conducting of scientific work,
- understanding and solving practical and theoretical problems arising during the scientific work in the scientific field of doctoral dissertation,
- engagement in national and international projects,
- practical application of acquired fundamental knowledge in geography and related sciences in scientific research work, to develop new methods and solutions,
- critical logical thinking, formulating assumptions, drawing conclusions and developing creative ideas,
- respecting the principles of the ethical code of good scientific practice,
scientifically based interpretation of experimental data, - independent presentation and publication of various scientific and professional data,
- contribution to the development of new knowledge in geography and science in general.
By mastering the study programme, the student acquires the following subject-specific competencies:
- Comprehensive understanding of the processes and laws in geosphere, solid knowledge on previous research and current trends in geosciences, recognition of modern scientific issues and ability to offer scientific solutions.
- Effective scientific communication, ability to create project documentation.
- Prominent capability of knowledge sharing and transfer, innovative work, originality and excellence in communication with the students and mastery in teaching skills.
- Comprehensive knowledge and skills for scientific research in Physical Geography, Human Geography, Regional Geography and Geoecology area with application of multidisciplinary approach.
- Comprehensive knowledge for participation in projects of geomorphological mapping, estimation of natural hazards, design of spatial plans, development of sustainable towns, reporting on environmental condition and protection, regional development planning, estimation of demographic change.
- Use of modern equipment for field and laboratory research in (paleo)climatology, hydrology, estimation of risk factors in geographical area.
- Developing new techniques and methods in scientific research in various geographical disciplines.
Individual and team-based scientific production, primarily in the narrow geoscience area within which they completed their doctoral dissertation, conducting scientific research from theoretical background, drawing hypotheses to field work and desk research, analysis and interpretation of the results according to the principles of best scientific practice, professional ethics and teamwork.
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 student.
The studies also include two research activities of students Scientific Research 1 and Scientific Research 2, which are compulsory and after which the student acquires a total of 60 ECTS.
Mentor of the doctoral dissertation, i.e. student’s advisor, suggests professional and scientific literature based on which the student prepares Scientific Research 1 in the form of a presentation which comprises description and explanation of the doctoral dissertation regarding literature data and methods to be used in the doctoral dissertation project. Scientific Research 2 refers to the presentation of the obtained results during the research for a doctoral dissertation as well as the information on the conference participation of the student. The work on the doctoral dissertation involves the presentation of the written chapters of the dissertation focusing on the results and discussion.
A detailed description of the procedure of defense and evaluation of Scientific Research 1, Scientific Research 2, Work on doctoral dissertation and Preparation and defence of doctoral dissertation is given in the subjects’ book.
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 geography. 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.
The form and procedure for the preparation and defence of the doctoral dissertation are established by the general act of the higher education institution which also defines the acceptance of the dissertation topic, evaluation of the submitted doctoral dissertation and fulfillment of the requirements concerning the published papers and permission for the public oral defence of the dissertation.
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