Specialization Degree in Biochemistry (1 year, 60 ECTS) – 2013/2014-2018/2019

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The name of the Study programme is Specialization Degree in Biochemistry (1 year, 60 ECTS).

And its goal is to train professionals for various jobs requiring advanced level of knowledge in the area of biochemistry.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

Specialist academic studies in biochemistry are one-year studies, adapted to needs of contemporary biochemical education and to the policy of high education reforms in Republic of Serbia. Students of the programme will acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills in specific areas of biochemistry, and thus will be trained for jobs requiring advanced degree of knowledge in those areas. By mastering the modern methods, they will be capable of working in research laboratories of specialized scientific institutions, development and control laboratories of the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. The students will have a broad, detailed and critical level of knowledge in the selected areas of biochemistry and chemistry.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

Biochemistry specialist

Admission Conditions

In order to get enrolled in the Specialist academic studies in biochemistry, the candidate has to have completed the basic academic studies in biochemistry or related field (at least 300 ECTS). The admission of the candidates is carried out based on the open competition announced by the University of Novi Sad and realized by the Faculty of Sciences. The candidates are ranked based on the contest criteria of the University of Novi Sad. To get enrolled, the candidate must be ranked within the approved admission quota.

The Structure of the Study Programme

The programme consists of 4 elective courses and a Specialist Thesis. Courses, with their corresponding ECTS credits and weekly teaching loads (number of hours dedicated to theoretical instructions, practical exercises and student research), are listed in Table. The detailed outline of each course is provided in the Book of Courses.

Programme schedule with distribution of courses per semester is given in Table.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The studies are relaized through teaching the courses listed in Tables. The courses are distributed into the semesters, two semesters make one academic year. The Specialist academic studies in biochemistry last for 1 year (2 semesters), during which student has to earn at least 60 ECTS points.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

The overall study program carries 60 ЕCTS points. The credit value of each course is given in Tables, as well as in specifications given in the Book of Courses.

Diploma Work

The program of Specialist academic studies in biochemistry ends by completing and defending the Specialist Thesis, an independent work of student representing the final exam for obtaining the academic title of Biochemistry specialist. By completing the thesis, the student demonstrates independence and creativity in applying the obtained knowledge and skills in specific field of biochemistry. The experimental part of the study research work is carried out through both semesters, under the guidance of a supervisor. The credit value of the thesis work is 20 ЕCTS. Detailed regulations on the registration for the Specialist Thesis, prerequisites for its preparation and defence are defined by the Statute and the corresponding acts of the Faculty.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

The Book of the Courses contains the prerequisites for the registration for each particular course.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

The student can choose any course from the offered list of courses of the Study Program he/she is enrolled in, but bearing that in one academic year he/she has to earn at least 60 ECTS credits. As a rule, the registration for the elective courses is carried out at the time of registering for the study year. If the student wishes to choose a course from another study program, he/she is obliged to submit an application to the Council of the Department, which decides about the acceptance/rejection in accordance with the curriculum of the given study program.

Transferring from Another Study Programme

There is a possibility of transferring from one study program to another, based on the credit system for the same and similar courses. The specific conditions are defined according to current study programmes of the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad.

The purpose of the study program “Specialist academic studies in biochemistry” is to prepare professionals for work in specific area of biochemistry, with a higher level of knowledge compared to those that completed the basic and master academic studies. The academic education obtained within the frame of the study program will allow students to obtain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in specific areas of biochemistry and related fields, necessary for practical application. The teaching content of this study program ensures sound preparation of the graduates to organize the work in specialized scientific research laboratories in the fields of biochemistry and biomedicine, as well as to work independently in development and control laboratories in pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries.

The aim of the study program “Specialist academic studies in biochemistry” is to prepare the professionals in biochemistry capable of solving specific complex problems in research laboratories of specialized scientific institutes and in control and development laboratories of the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Necessary knowledge and skills in relevant specific areas of biochemistry, based on contemporary findings and trends, are provided through theoretical instructions and students’ participation in research activities. Competent professionals are able to work in the multidisciplinary areas related to chemistry, biology and medicine.

Learning outcomes

The final outcome of the study process is a Biochemistry specialist, a professional with high academic education, equipped with in-depth knowledge in specific area compared to those with BSc and MSc academic education. By completing the requirements of this study program, the student acquires the capacity of independent collecting, assessment and interpretation of the relevant information in specific areas of chemistry, biochemistry and biomedicine. The student is able to apply the acquired knowledge in research and control laboratories of pharmaceutical, food and chemical industry.

General and course-specific competencies of students

Upon completing this study program, the student acquires the following general competences:

• integrated knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, biology and related disciplines;
• in-depth knowledge and understanding of specific areas of biochemistry;
• the ability to effectively communicate ideas, problems and solutions in biochemistry and related disciplines;
• the ability to collect, analyse, evaluate and interpret relevant information from scientific and technical publications, and to use modern information technologies;
• the skills in application of biochemical and related methods and equipment, method improvement and development;
• the ability to understand and solve scientific problems in specific areas of chemistry and biochemistry;
• the ability to organize and work in multidisciplinary teams;
• the ability to independently form science-based judgments taking into account scientific, social and ethical values.