Ecology and Biosystematics

Postgraduate studies (Master’s) in Ecology and Biosystematics

 

Ecology module

Duration: 1 year, 2 semesters (60 ECTS)

Professional title: Master of Ecology (MS. Ecol.)

The study program of the postgraduate academic studies in ecology and biosystematics (ecological module) is a one-year academic program, in the scope of 60 ECTS, intended for education and training of students for scientific and research work in the field of ecology and environment protection. After completing the study program, students acquire the academic title Master of Ecology (MS.ecol.) and have integrated knowledge which is necessary for scientific and research work in science, economics, industry, agriculture, forestry, nature protection and other fields. These postgraduate studies are organized to acquire VII A degree of education and complete fulfillment of the qualification descriptors.

The study program provides an opportunity for further education at a higher level - doctoral studies in various fields of ecology and related scientific disciplines.

 

Biosystematics module

Duration: 1 year, 2 semesters (60 ECTS)

Professional title: Master of Biosystematics (MS. Biosyst.)

The study program of the postgraduate academic studies in ecology and biosystematics (taxonomic module) is a one-year academic program, in the scope of 60 ECTS, intended for education and training of students for scientific and research work in the field of ecology and environmental protection. Upon completion of the study program, students acquire the academic title Master of Biosystematics (MSc biosyst.) and have integrated knowledge necessary for scientific and research work in scientific institutions, natural science museums, etc. These postgraduate studies are organized to acquire VII A degree education and complete fulfillment of the qualification descriptors.

The study program provides an opportunity for further education at a higher level - doctoral studies in different fields of biology and related scientific disciplines.

 

Manner of financing 

Candidates are enrolled as full-time students with self-financing studies at the Institute of Biology. The enrolment fee is 2000 € (in MKD counter value according to the average exchange rate of the NBRM). The stated amount includes the defense of the master thesis.

 

Enrollment conditions

The conditions and criteria for enrollment of students for the studies at the University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" are prescribed by the University Rectorate in accordance with the legal regulations and recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Science. Students can enroll the postgraduate studies of the Institute of Biology, only if they have a completed undergraduated studies (completed four years of undergraduate studies (VIA) with a minimum of 240 credits), at recognized higher education institutions in the Republic of Macedonia. The same must be in accordance with the legal regulations or with a verified diploma on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, if it is given by a University outside the country. Only candidates who have completed the first cycle of studies with an average success above 8.00 have the right to enroll. Candidates with an average of under 8.00 can enroll postgraduate biology studies only if they have published at least two (2) scientific papers in the relevant research area, published in a scientific journal in which the papers are subject to review, which is decided by the Expert Council of Institute of Biology on the proposal of the Teaching-Scientific Collegium of the study program. In addition to candidates who have completed their undergraduate studies at the Institute of Biology and Biology-Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, students who have completed studies in chemistry-analytical biochemistry, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, agriculture (appropriate study program), forestry (appropriate study program) and studies at other related faculties can also enroll. The decision for the adequacy of the studies and guidelines for all applicants who have not completed the undergraduate studies at the Institute of Biology, will be given by the Expert Council, on the proposal of the Teaching-Scientific Collegium for the study program for the second cycle of studies at the Institute of Biology. This decision will be made on the principle of representation of subjects in the study program in the field of biology. If at the competition for postgraduate studies there are more candidates than the predicted free places for enrollment in a particular study programme, the candidates with higher average achievement from the undergraduate studies will have an advantage in the enrolment. The same regulations apply to foreign citizens.

 

Information for continuing of the education

The Msc students in the study program on ecology and biosystematics can continue their studies on the third cycle of studies at the Institute of Biology. They can also enroll in the third cycle studies on one of the related faculties at the University "St. Cyril and Methodius "and other private and state higher education institutions in the Republic of Macedonia or abroad.

 

Structure of the study program in ecology and biosystematics

The structure of the study program of ecology and biosystematics at the Institute of Biology is given in the following table (P - lectures, A - auditory exercises, L - laboratory exercises).

All elective subjects bring 6 credits and have a fund of classes: 3 hours of theoretical instruction and 3 hours of practical instruction per week.

 

Ecology module

Subject code

 subject

 P

 A        L

 credits

 БВ9101

Methodology of scientific research

3

0

3

6

 БВ9103

Principles and methods of ecological researches

3

0

3

6

 

Elective subject for the ecology module*

3

0

3

6

 

Elective subject for the ecology module *

3

0

3

6

 

Elective subject from the University Free List *

3

0

3

6

 

total

15

0

15

30

 

Preparation and defense of master's thesis

15

0

15

30

 

total

15

0

15

30

*in addition to the offered list of elective subjects for the study program and elective subjects from the University Free List (for the study program on ecology and biosystematics), students can also choose a compulsory or elective subject from the subject lists from other study programs that are accredited by the Institute of Biology, PMF

Students may not take more than two courses with one teacher.

 At the beginning of the academic year, students will be provided with a list of proposed themes for master's thesis at the Institute of Biology. Students have the right to choose one of the offered topics, or to suggest a topic for master thesis by themselves, but in that case they are obliged to provide conditions for preparation of the topic (spatial, material, etc.).

 

List of compulsory subjects

The list of compulsory subjects in ecology and biosystematics studies - module on ecology is given in the following table:

Subject code

 subject

ЕБМЕ1101

Methodology of scientific research

ЕБМЕ1102

Principles and methods of ecological researches

 

List of elective subjects

The list of elective subjects in ecology and biosystematics studies - module on ecology is given in the following table:

 

Subject code

 subject

ЕБМЕ1205

Modern researches in ecology

ЕБМЕ1206

Organism and environment

ЕБМЕ1207

Communities and ecosystems

ЕБМЕ1208

Ecology of polluted environment

ЕБМЕ1209

Selected chapters from aquatic ecology

ЕБМЕ1210

Selected chapters of terrestrial ecology

ЕБМЕ1211

Characteristics and methods for control of eutrophication

ЕБМЕ1212

Ecology of dangerous algae

ЕБМЕ1213

Ecology of ecosystems

ЕБМЕ1214

Vegetation of Macedonia

ЕБМЕ1215

Ecology of fungi

ЕБМЕ1216

Microbial ecology

ЕБМЕ1217

Histological biomarkers

 

Structure of the study program in ecology and biosystematics

Biosystematics Module

Subject code

subject

P

A      L

credits

БВ9101

Methodology of scientific research

3

0

3

6

БВ9104

Principles and methods of taxonomic research

3

0

3

6

 

Elective subject for the biosystematic modul*

3

0

3

6

 

Elective subject for the biosystematic modul *

3

0

3

6

 

Elective subject from the University free list*

3

0

3

6

 

total

15

0

15

30

 

Preparation and defense of master's thesis

15

0

15

30

 

total

15

0

15

30

*in addition to the offered list of elective subjects for the study program and elective subjects from the University Free List (for the study program on ecology and biosystematics), students can also choose a compulsory or elective subject from the subject lists from other study programs that are accredited by the Institute of Biology, PMF

Students may not take more than two courses with one teacher.

At the beginning of the academic year, students will be provided with a list of proposed themes for master's thesis at the Institute of Biology. Students have the right to choose one of the offered topics, or to suggest a topic for master thesis by themselves, but in that case they are obliged to provide conditions for preparation of the topic (spatial, material, etc.).

 

List of compulsory subjects

The list of compulsory subjects for the study program of ecology and biosystematics - biosystematics module is given in the following table:

Subject code

 subject

ЕБМБ1103

Methodology of scientific research

ЕБМБ1104

Principles and methods of taxonomic research

 

List of elective subjects

List of electives according to the modules

The list of elective subjects in the studies of ecology and biosystematics - biosystematics module is given in the following tables:

Subject code

subject

ЕБМБ1218

Modern research in taxonomy

ЕБМБ1219

Systematic and phylogeny of a particular group of organisms

ЕБМБ1220

Selected chapters of evolution

ЕБМБ1221

Selected chapters from biogeography

ЕБМБ1222

Principles and methods of phytocenological researches

ЕБМБ1223

Conservation biogeography

ЕБМБ1224

Macedonian fungi

ЕБМБ1225

Biology and ecology with diversity of diatoms in Macedonia

ЕБМБ1226

Diversity of invertebrate fauna in the Republic of Macedonia

ЕБМБ1227

Entomology

 

General list of elective subjects for all postgraduate study programs at the Institute of Biology

STUDIES OF ECOLOGY AND BIOSYSTEMATICS

List of subjects from the University free list of electives

Subject code

 subject

ЕБ1328

Sanitary microbiology

ЕБ1329

Selected chapters of population genetics

ЕБ1330

Basics of phytopathology

ЕБ1331

Physiology of stress and resistance of plants

ЕБ1332

Paleolymnology

ЕБ1333

Ontogeny of a particular group of vertebrates

ЕБ1334

Macroinvertebrates as bioindicators

ЕБ1335

Selected chapters of population ecology

ЕБ1336

Selected chapters of biogeochemical cycles

ЕБ1337

Selected chapters of environmental protection

ЕБ1338

Ecotoxicology

ЕБ1339

Fauna of Macedonian daily butterflies 

ЕБ1340

Fauna of Macedonian amphibians and reptiles

ЕБ1341

Fauna of Macedonian birds

ЕБ1342

Fauna of Macedonian mammals

ЕБ1343

Biodiversity assessment

ЕБ1344

Sustainable habitat management

ЕБ1345

Sustainable species management

ЕБ1346

Monitoring of natural heritage

ЕБ1347

Education, ecotourism and natural heritage management policy

ЕБ1348

Computer analysis of vegetation data

ЕБ1349

Fish histopathology

 All elective subjects carry 6 credits and have a fund of classes: 3 hours of theoretical instruction and 3 hours of practical instruction per week.

 

Method for choosing subjects

Within the two modules of the study program on ecology and biosystematics, students register all the compulsory subjects (two subjects, 40%). Forty percent of the elective subjects are chosen from the list of electives from the corresponding study program (2 subjects). The remaining twenty percent of elective subjects can be chosen from the University Free List (1 subject) of elective subjects.


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