Master of Science Graduate Programme in Biology
Graduate study program in Biology lasts for 2 years, i.e. 4 semesters. Upon completion of the study, students obtain academic degree of the Master of Biology. Criteria for admission to the Graduate university study in Biology are: completed undergraduate study in the field of biology and successfully passed admission exam.
The foundation of modern society is knowledge, and biology or the science of life plays a significant role. Biodiversity, recombinant DNA technology and nature protection are biological disciplines without whose knowledge and achievements modern society will not be able to survive. Therefore, it is easy to recognize the value of knowledge acquired by one of the studies of natural sciences.
In the circumstances of ubiquitous globalization, natural processes are often forgotten, so it is especially necessary to enable the acquisition of knowledge about the functioning and importance of life. In this, the educational activity has a particularly important role, which must be conceived in such a way as to impart to the younger generations knowledge that will essentially explain and protect life.
Biologists, in every segment of their activity, whatever they do, education, science or professional work are needed by society, and in the global labor market they can easily find their place. In addition to education and scientific institutions, there are more and more private companies engaged in research or production where the knowledge resources of biologists are used.
The contents of compulsory and elective courses are compiled on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge and provide basic knowledge with which our students will be competitive in the world knowledge market.
The programs we offer are designed as a “major” program for biologists that is comparable to many programs across the European Union (University of Wageningen, Heilderberg, Pecs), and the structure of studies is made in agreement with the profession in Croatia and fully ensures vertical and horizontal mobility of students.
The University Department of Biology is the successor of the Department of Biology, where professors of biology and chemistry have been trained continuously since 1977, when the study of biology and chemistry was established at the then Faculty of Education. Based on the Report of the Commission for the Evaluation of Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Croatia in the Field of Natural Sciences, Biology (Item 11 of the Report), we propose an undergraduate study of biology and graduate studies: Master of Biology and Professor of Biology and Chemistry. Partners in the education of masters of biology will be public institutions in nature protection as well as various scientific institutions.
The proposed study programs ensure horizontal and vertical mobility of students since they are structured according to the principle of 70% of compulsory courses and 30% of electives, modeled on European studies “major + minor”, and are harmonized with similar studies in Croatia. A large share of elective courses enables the supplementation of the basic program in the direction of enabling the enrollment of postgraduate studies proposed at our and other universities in the Republic of Croatia.
Following the recommendations, in the already mentioned, Report of the Commission for Evaluation of Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Croatia in the field of natural sciences, field of biology (items 7, 8 and 9), and since the plans of our University to relocate the Department of Biology and the establishment of the University Department of Biology, the required, significantly better conditions for teaching and scientific work were achieved, thus fulfilling the precondition for conducting a modern study of biology. Also, certain material resources have already been invested in equipping laboratories and practicums, and we expect the continuation of the positive trend.