Master’s Degree Studies

Single-major Biology

Length of study: 2 years

The master’s study programme in biology follows up the bachelor’s study programme in biology provided by the University Faculty of Science, and it is also open to students of other universities with completed bachelor’s degree in the study programme of biology or in similar study programmes. It is an academically-based programme and graduates can choose to continue in doctoral studies in a biology or similar programme at the University or at another university, or pursue a career both in the private and public spheres. It is designed as a study programme with two specialisations with a prevailing common part in both study plans/specialisations. This concept allows achieving a higher level of specialisation in the knowledge, skills and competences essential for the performance of different job activities and employment that cannot be otherwise acquired in one study plan by simply selecting mandatory optional subjects. The aim of the study can be divided into general, or common for both specialisations, and specific for the individual specialisations.

General study objectives

The study further develops and follows-up knowledge and skills in general biological fields of study acquired at the bachelor’s level of study. This mostly includes knowledge and competences in the field of zoology, botany and microbiology corresponding to the master’s university degree. Students are provided a sufficient space for acquiring awareness of contemporary trends in the development of biological disciplines, namely in terms of the issue of biotechnologies and their incorporation in various areas. The positive aspects and risks of such approaches and their potential impact on society and the environment are outlined. An important objective is also to achieve sufficient knowledge in the methodological procedures used in modern biology. Students are guided towards the ability to use foreign and international professional texts, to work in an international environment, to independently prepare various forms of professional outputs, reports and presentations, to communicate with experts in various fields, to use knowledge of the discipline in educational events, and to be in contact with practice of the studied discipline. The knowledge and skills to plan, assess, statistically process and present experiments in various forms of professional reports are developed. Students pass a three-week practical experience during the study.

Specialisation – Applied Biology and Ecology

This specialisation is designed for students who want to pursue a career in the field of applied biology and ecology. Besides the general aims of the study, the programme develops specific knowledge in the selected areas of botany, zoology, ecology, ethology and protection of biodiversity. Students acquire competences to perform standard field and theoretical ecological analyses of populations and societies, as well as to quantitatively interpret ecological data. The study provides information on the current issue of the protection of the environment and biodiversity and related ethical, social and legal matters. The specialisation also focuses on acquiring knowledge in the methods of field research, in the methods of analysing animal behaviour in natural and artificial environments. It provides knowledge in applied ecology, biomonitoring and in the protection of countryside and landscape. Students will also be prepared to find jobs in professions that involve biology and animal behaviour on a daily basis (animal protection, breeding), or in teaching and instructing (education, consultations), and they can study specialised biological disciplines in a follow-up doctoral programme. Emphasis is also placed on the protection of the environment and biodiversity in the anthropogenetically influenced territories of the Ústí region.

Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Milan Gryndler, CSc.

Potential work position:

• specialist worker in the sphere of public administration and ministry institutions (specialist workers in the Nature Conservation Agency, in the administration of national parks and protected landscape areas, in biological institutes and ministry institutions for agricultural, forestry and water-management research),
• specialist worker in science departments of museums, botanical and zoological gardens,
• specialist worker in educational institutions (centres for ecological education, specialised consultation and educational centres),
• specialist worker in facilities that focus on animal protection and breeding (such as stations for handicapped animals, etc.),
• in the private sector involved in reclamation interventions, breeding, ecology and so on,
• in the quaternary sphere (university education, research and development).

Specialisation – Experimental Biology and Cytology

This specialisation is designed for students who want to pursue a career in the field of cytology and experimental biology and who are interested in working in laboratories dealing with analyses of various biological samples. Besides the aims of the study, this specialisation broadens specific knowledge and competences in the selected areas of molecular biology, biochemistry and cell physiology (animal, plant, bacterial) and acellular organisms. Great attention is paid to the development of biotechnologies and their application in a wide range of disciplines. One of the main aims of the study in this specialisation is to acquire knowledge and practical skills in advanced microscopic, biophysical, molecularly biological and genetic methods of analysing biological samples, both at the Faculty of Science and in external facilities (such as the Masaryk Hospital in Ústí nad Labem, institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences). Students will also be able to use basic bioinformation approaches and databases for their work. Students will acquire knowledge and competences to independently perform and assess analyses of biological samples and to operate regular and specialised laboratory equipment. Based on the study of specialised literature, students will be able to independently plan the method of analysis or experiment, to prepare an evaluation and a specialised report. Students will also be able to formulate research hypotheses, to offer a procedure and to carry out verifications using available laboratory methods. They will learn about the management of a laboratory and adherence to the standards and regulations (including regulations in disposing of GMO, work with laboratory animals, etc.). At the same time, students will be able to continue their education in the form of doctoral study in specialised fields of biology.

Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Milan Gryndler, CSc.

Potential work position:

• technician, laboratory assistant or specialist worker in laboratories for processing and analysing biological material (microbiological laboratories; diagnostic laboratories; laboratories involved in the analysis of the environment (water, air, soil), etc.),
• technician, laboratory assistant or specialist worker in public administration (ministry institutions; public health authorities and health offices; analytical, control and referential laboratories; forensic laboratories),
• expert in industry (food-processing industry in the verification of food quality and safety; pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry; biotechnological industry, etc.),
• in private companies involved in the sale and distribution of laboratory equipment and reagents,
• in the quaternary sphere (university education, research and development, institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences).

Teaching Biology for Secondary Schools

Lenth of study: 2 years

The aim of the study is to acquire a comprehensive theoretical and practical qualification required for the profession of a teacher of general educational subjects at secondary school. Students who graduate from this study programme have broad and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject and scope of the discipline corresponding to the contemporary state of knowledge, having comprehensive theoretical-practical qualifications required for the job of teacher of general educational subjects. Graduates understand the options, conditions and limitations of using the knowledge of related disciplines; they are able to self-reflect and improve their teaching skills; they have the knowledge and skills in the field of work organisation, dealing with people; they are able to use pedagogical tact when dealing with parents and social partners of the school, namely in educational work with children, creating a favourable psychosocial environment for learning. At the same time, while using specialised knowledge, students can independently define and creatively solve theoretical and practical problems in their field of study, they are able to use general didactic and special educational skills and knowledge that enable work with students from a different sociocultural environment and with students with specific educational needs. Students are able to choose suitable methods for evaluating the process of education and its outcomes, including self-evaluation of students, and they can use one of the research methods in a way enabling to acquire new original information, thanks to which they are able to implement modern educational trends and strategies into the real educational process. Students can independently resolve difficult situations, deal with ethical and legislative issues related to the process of education. They can speak at least one foreign language within their expert knowledge, skills and competences and they are motivated to further educate themselves and to broaden their pedagogical competences. They are able to diagnose students’ skills and knowledge with respect to their individuality and to the educational and social context, they have the ability to think pedagogically, they understand basic educational problems and make educational decisions, including pedagogical and psychological intervention. They are able to develop students’ critical thinking and to apply modern methods to education, to independently and responsibly make decisions in new or changing conditions, to perform didactic analysis of the content of the curriculum, and they are practically prepared to implement suitable forms and methods of education to provide the educational objectives of a general subject. And, last but not least, graduates have the skills needed to master new technical devices, modern educational technology, and they are able to deal with the demands of an information-based society.

Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Eva Jozífková, Ph.D. & Ph.D.

Potential work position:

• teacher of a general educational subject of biology at secondary or elementary school