Level:  doctoral academic studies

Upon end of the studies student will receive a title: Doctor of science - ecological sciences

The Doctoral degree programme in Ecology is organized and implemented by the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, in cooperation with experts from other relevant institutions. The Study program carries a total of 180 ECTS, lasting for 3 years and includes four modules: the ecology of plants and fitogeografija, ecology and biogeography, biodiversity protection and hydrobiology. Within each module, classes are organised in four compulsory subjects, three of which are common to all modules, and with a larger number of elective courses. In consultation with the mentor a student can choose elective courses from other academic programmes organized by the Faculty of Biology. The optional part of the programme is planned according to the individual needs of candidates, depending on previous education and experience. The programme is implemented through teaching that includes lectures and other forms of interactive teaching, the study of research work and individual work of students.

The programme aims to provide a framework for the development of highly educated and creative young scientists who are expected to assume future leadership positions in scientific research, university teaching and activities in which ecology, biogeography and environmental protection and biodiversity are implemented. The programme offers students high-quality theoretical knowledge and practical experience and specific knowledge and skills in the immediate area in which they do their own investigation. Given the complexity and importance of the phenomena studied, the study programme covers both fundamental and applied aspects of research, monitoring, protection, conservation and sustainable use of the rich and diverse wildlife of the Balkan Peninsula.

The programme offers training for academic and scientific research outputs, and applied knowledge and skills in analysis, monitoring, management and protection of biodiversity of the Balkan Peninsula. Allows the profiling of the levels of environmental organizations (species, population and countryside-ecosystem levels), as well as the type of environment (terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and habitats). Various forms of interactive teaching stimulate students to formulate and freely express independent opinions, to focus on the most important problems of certain specialist fields of ecology, biogeography and biodiversity protection and to formulate hypotheses for their solution, to learn how to develop arguments, to critically analyze and interpret their results and the results of other authors, hypotheses and theories encountered by studying the literature, to apply their knowledge and ideas to solving problems they encounter during their research project. Through writing and public presentation of essays and test papers, students will gain valuable experiences for mastering the skills of writing scientific papers and oral communication with an audience. Students will get help and training from their supervisors and committee members for writing a proposal of their own research project, with training to define clearly and precisely their research objectives and to design appropriate experimental approaches in a manner that allows high-quality and biologically relevant research results to be obtained and project implementation monitored.

Anyone who has completed the appropriate basic and master academic studies with an average mark above 8.00 is eligible to enroll.

Modules on this study program:

Subjects lectured on this study program: