Program Overview

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Introduction to the University Program

The University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, offers a doctoral study program in Ecology. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in ecology, biogeography, and environmental protection.

Program Description

The Ecology Program of doctoral studies is organized and realized by the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, in collaboration with experts from other relevant institutions. The study program carries a total of 180 ECTS credits, lasts three years, and includes four modules:

• Plant Ecology and Phytogeography
• Animal Ecology and Biogeography
• Conservation Ecology and Environmental Protection
• Aquatic ecology

Program Structure

The program is divided into four modules, each with its own set of required and elective courses. Students can choose from a variety of elective subjects, and with the approval of their mentor, they can also select courses from other doctoral programs at the University of Belgrade.

Admission Criteria

For admission to the doctoral program, candidates must have completed undergraduate academic and master academic studies, or integrated academic studies with at least 300 ECTS credits. They must also have a general average grade of at least eight (8). Candidates with a general average score of less than eight (8) and equal to or greater than 7.5 can apply if they have published at least one research paper in the scientific field of the study program.

Teaching Staff

The Faculty of Biology has an adequate number of instructors with appropriate scientific qualifications for the realization of the Ecology Program of doctoral studies. Teaching in this study program is carried out by instructors and associates selected based on strict criteria that ensure a high level of competence in research work and successful performance of teaching.

Quality Control

The Faculty of Biology regularly and systematically conducts quality control through self-evaluation and external verification of quality. This is done through the evaluation of both the programs offered and the competence of Ph.D. candidates.

Public Accessibility

The study program is publicly accessible at the website of the University of BelgradeFaculty of Biology. All doctoral dissertations are available to public scrutiny in electronic form at least 30 days before their defense.

Studies at a World Language

The study program Ecology is accredited in Serbian and English languages. Compulsory courses and seminars do not differ between the Serbian and English programs. All teachers who are engaged in the accomplishment of the study program have the appropriate competencies to teach in English.

Standard 1: Structure of the Study Programme

The doctoral studies have at least 180 ECTS credits, with a previously completed volume of studies of at least 300 ECTS credits in undergraduate academic and master academic studies, i.e., completed integrated academic studies. The doctoral dissertation is the final part of the doctoral study program.

Standard 2: Purpose of the Study Programme

The doctoral study program has a clearly defined and published purpose and role in the education system. The purpose of the Ecology Program of doctoral studies is to educate competent teachers, investigators, and practical workers in the fields of ecology, biogeography, and protection of biodiversity.

Standard 3: Aims of the Study Programme

The doctoral study program has defined goals. The goal of the Ecology Program of studies is to ensure a framework for the development of highly educated and creative young scientists. The program provides students with high-quality theoretical knowledge and practical experience, as well as specific information and skills in the narrower area of their own research.

Standard 4: Competencies of Graduates

By mastering the doctoral study program, the student acquires general and specific research skills that are subordinated to the quality of performing professional and scientific activities. The Ecology Program of studies is oriented toward the enrichment of the basic theoretical knowledge of students, expansion of their practical experience, and improvement of their competence in the areas of ecology, biogeography, and protection of the biodiversity of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Standard 5: Curriculum

The curriculum contains a list and structure of compulsory and elective courses and modules with their description and the doctoral dissertation as the concluding part of the program of doctoral studies. The study program consists of four modules, and by choosing a module, the student opts for a narrower field of research and a mentor with whose assistance he/she will select the subjects to be studied.

Standard 6: Quality, Modernity, and International Compliance of the Study Programme

The study program follows the contemporary world trends in the relevant educational and scientific field, it is aligned with the country's strategic priorities, and is comparable to similar programs at foreign higher education institutions within the European educational space. The study program Ecology was conceived with a view toward similar programs at European and American universities in keeping with our own human and material resources.

Standard 7: Student Enrollment

Higher education institution enrolls students in the doctoral study program following social and scientific, educational, and cultural development needs and with its resources. Registration of candidates is based on an open competition announced by the University of Belgrade and conducted by the Faculty of Biology.

Standard 8: Student Evaluation and Progression

Evaluation and assessment of students' progress are done by continuous monitoring of students' work and based on points earned by completing pre-examinations and passing exams. The doctoral dissertation is evaluated based on indicators of its scientific contribution.

Standard 9: Teaching Staff

Teachers with the required scientific competence are engaged in the realization of the doctoral program of studies. The Faculty of Biology has an adequate number of instructors with appropriate scientific qualifications for the realization of the Ecology Program of doctoral studies.

Standard 10: Organizational and Material Resources

Adequate human, physical, technical, and technological, and other resources are available for the realization of the study program. These resources satisfy the needs of the doctoral program and the number of students admitted. The Faculty of Biology has an appropriate number of modern and well-equipped laboratories, which are continuously being upgraded.

Standard 11: Quality Control

For the doctoral study program, the higher education institution regularly and systematically conducts quality control through self-evaluation and external verification of quality. This is done through the evaluation of both the programs offered and the competence of Ph.D. candidates.

Standard 12: Public Accessibility

For the doctoral study program, a higher education institution provides public access to the study program and doctoral dissertation as a final part of doctoral studies. The study program is publicly accessible at the website of the University of BelgradeFaculty of Biology.

Standard 13: Studies at a World Language

A higher education institution may organize a doctoral study program in the world language for each field, and each educational and scientific field provided it has the human and material resources to accomplish the program following the standards. The study program Ecology is accredited in Serbian and English languages.