Molecular Biology (PhD.)

Learning objectives and graduate profile

The study programme encourages graduates' creative activity in the field of molecular biology, applied biology and other biological disciplines. An in-depth theoretical knowledge as well as knowledge of scientific methodology and the processing of scientific results are important. The graduate has an active knowledge of a foreign language (English), is able to work in a team, and is able to forecast developments in his/her field.

The aim of studying in the PhD programme in Molecular Biology is to develop intellectual and creative abilities, as well as practical skills in the field of molecular biology. Completion of individual courses results in a comprehensive dissertation developed over four years within the scope defined in the Higher Education Act of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic. The result of education is competence, i.e. the student acquires the ability to :

• identify a problem for finding a scientific solution
• propose a scientific hypothesis
• to verify the hypothesis with appropriately set up experiments
• evaluate the results and process them in the form of a dissertation
• solve problems arising during the experimental part of the dissertation
• propose appropriate procedures for modifying the experiment
• work independently in the laboratory, but also work in a team
• communicate with experts within the framework of his/her dissertation topic, but also on related topics
• present his/her results to experts in the form of presentations and discussions
• publish results in the form of publications in scientific journals of high quality and impact.

Doctoral graduates

Graduates of the PhD programme in Molecular Biology (PhD.) have an active command of the English language, are able to work independently and creatively in various areas of biology as well as in frontier disciplines, are proficient in scientific approaches and research methodology in selected application areas of applied biology using the most modern methods of molecular biology and genetics. He/she is also able to design, manage and objectively evaluate problem-oriented experiments, focused on serious problems of contemporary social practice, and performs activities in various other areas of social practice, in quality assurance and management, in environmental monitoring, in pharmaceutical, clinical biochemistry, molecular medicine, food science and elsewhere. The graduate has basic management skills, focused on the application of applied biology in practice, can lead a research team, plan team tasks and has knowledge of relevant environmental, economic, legal and ethical aspects, and on the basis of the acquired knowledge is able to teach specialized biology subjects at university.

After graduation, a graduate of the molecular biology study programme can seek employment in a wide range of biological, microbiological and chemical workplaces in research teams, as well as in independent work with a research and technical focus (SAS, universities, health, agriculture and forestry, food industry, environment, etc.). They are ready to meet the requirements of specialized institutions requiring field work, especially at workplaces dedicated to modern technologies (recombinant DNA technologies), biological, microbiological as well as environmentally and ecologically oriented workplaces, and they will also be employed in institutions of state and local government and in private companies with a research and technology orientation.

Occupations from the profession:

• Research scientist,
• Molecular biologist,
• Geneticist,
• Laboratory diagnostician,
• Product Specialist,
• Chemical Production Operator,
• Production Technician,
• Quality Controller,
• Research and Development Specialist,
• Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist.

Admission conditions for full-time and part-time studies.

Requirements for applicants, method of selection and recommended personal qualifications:

Number of students admitted to the study programme: 4 (full-time form)/5 (external form)
Requirements for applicants and the method of their selection are generally specified in §56-58 of Act No.131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education, and are regulated in more detail by the Study Regulations of UCMvTrnava and the Regulations of the Admission Procedure of UCM v Trnave.
The basic condition for admission to doctoral studies is a second-degree university degree (§ 56 (3) of Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education and on Amendments and Additions to Certain Acts). Graduates of domestic or foreign universities may apply for admission if they have completed a master's degree or an engineering degree.
The admission procedure at the UCM FPV is carried out in accordance with Act No 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education and on Amendments and Additions to Certain Acts, Sections 56 to 58. The admission process enables an applicant who demonstrates fulfilment of the specified admission conditions to become a student of the chosen study programme. A student applying for one of the announced dissertation topicsdevelops a framework project on the topic. An applicant who fails to demonstrate fulfilment of the basic conditions for admission to the study at the time of verification of fulfilment of the conditions for admission may be admitted to the study conditionally, provided that he/she is obliged to demonstrate fulfilment of the basic conditions for admission to the study no later than on the date set for enrolment in the study. Applications for undergraduate studies shall be accepted on the deadline published on the faculty's website. Admission to doctoral studies will be by interview, where the applicant presents his/her motives, the project on the topic of the doctoral thesis and the prerequisites for the studies, as well as his/her knowledge of a foreign language.

See the subjects and the study plan you will follow during your full-time studies.

See the subjects and the study plan you will follow during your EXTERNAL studies.

Description of the study programme for the full-time form of study ( not available )

Description of the study programme for the EXTERNAL form of study