An admission for international applicants to doctoral study at Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.

This field’s research-teaching focus covers the areas of biological and socio-cultural anthropology. Within these spheres it takes part in research projects dealing with the study of man from the Paleolithic to modernity. The department’s personnel focus on the development of new methods in anthropology (paleoanthropology, archaeology, evolutionary anthropology, paleoecology, to forensic anthropology and criminalistics), the study of biology and the culture of human populations, and on the area of experimental anthropology. The study is intended for graduates in anthropology and other fields of biology, as well as for graduates of archaeology, ethnology, religious studies, sociology, and medicine, who have passed the required admissions test. During the course of doctoral studies, the post-graduate student will enroll in and take the tests in subjects that broaden his knowledge in the field, and go beyond master’s studies (A). These are courses open to all post-graduate students in the field of biology. They will also broaden their knowledge in specialized areas of the field tied to the topic of his dissertation work (B). These may be master’s-level courses in anthropology that he did not take before, or in other related fields. The student will attend a special seminar (C). He will also help provide teaching at the bachelor’s and master’s level (lead exercises, seminars, etc.) (D). The study plan is individual, and is determined by the advisor in view of the topic of the dissertation work. The post-graduate student works consistently on the dissertation project under the guidance of the advisor. The advisor sees to the scientific value of this work. The fulfillment of study requirements is always checked at the end of the school year. In consultation with his advisor the post-graduate student publishes partial results of his work in domestic and international professional journals, and actively participates in conferences and symposia.

The applicant for post-graduate studies, along with his potential advisor, proposes a dissertation topic, on the basis of which the applicant submits an application form for post-graduate studies by the date set by the Faculty of Science MU. The applicant will be interviewed before an admissions committee made up of members of the doctoral committee, and in the presence of the advisor. The admissions interview may concern any area of biological and socio-cultural anthropology at the level of lectures in master’s courses in the field of anthropology at the FS MU. The applicant informs the commission of the topic of his dissertation work, his ideas for carrying it out, and defends his concept. Part of the application interview is a test in the English language (or other world language).

The admission committee evaluates the previous study outcomes of the applicants (study records, master final work topic and outcomes), the quality and provision of the postgraduate study project, the verbal expression and language skills of the applicants as well as other proofs of capacity for scientific work (publications, presentations, experience with on-site work, international cooperation etc.) and creates an order of applicants. The best applicants will be subsequently accepted until the current capacity limit is reached.

Graduates find employment at universities, scientific institutes, museums, and other institutions both at home and abroad that have activities related to biological or socio-cultural anthropology, in the state sphere, the social sphere, or the media.

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Anthropology is an integral scientific discipline, the Science of Man, studying mankind from its origins until the present. In contrast to scientific disciplines which specially focus on a detailed study of particular areas of human life, anthropology concentrates primarily on the usually ignored connections between biological, social and cultural aspects of human nature. Anthropology regards these bio-socio-cultural interactions as the core for the unique human evolution, as the substance of groundbreaking turns in history and also as a chance for our kind to survive in the future. Anthropology studies the origins and mechanisms of the variations of human biological, social and cultural forms and their relationships in the process of adaptation of Man to the changing environment. The mission of the study programme of Anthropology is to prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of integral anthropology, adhering to the above stated concepts.

The doctoral study programme is designated for graduates of Master's study programme of Anthropology and related disciplines who aim to pursue specialized anthropology in the academic settings. The programme aims to complete the students’ knowledge in up-to-date and state of the art methods and theoretical approaches of current anthropology and to utilize them in their doctoral project investigation concluded in a doctoral thesis, the main outcome of the doctoral programme. Graduates of this programme are prepared for and capable of independent scientific work both in the academic settings and in the field of applied anthropology.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• come up with principal ideas for independent anthropological research
• design and carry out anthropological research
• present research outcomes in scientific literature
• prepare research project proposals including fundraising (granting agencies)
• give presentations in a foreign language at scientific anthropological conferences (orally and/or in the form of a commented poster)
• lecture a theoretical course and tutor practical courses for pre-graduate students

Graduates of the Anthropology doctoral study programme find employment in academic institutions which are oriented on anthropology, especially at universities, institutions of scientific research, in museums and other domestic and foreign institutions focusing on matters related to the biological or socio-cultural anthropology. Graduates also find employment in state administration, social/public domain and in the media.

Applicants for a doctoral degree programme select posted doctoral thesis topics, or in cooperation with their supervisor can propose a new topic. Having selected a topic, applicants enter into the admission procedure before the deadline set by the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. Applicants are then asked to sit for an admission interview before a doctoral committee. Topics regarding all of the areas of biological and socio-cultural anthropology can be discussed during the interview in the extent presented in the Anthropology Master's courses (Faculty of Science, Masaryk University). Applicants present their doctoral thesis topic along with the investigation concept and defend their position. The admission interview is conducted in English or in another world language.

The standard duration of the study amounts to four years (eight semesters). The doctoral study is governed by the rules specified in accordance with the superior rules (The Higher Education Act, MU Study and Examination Regulations and other internal regulations) by the board of the doctoral studies in biology. Each student follows a customized study plan which is specified by the supervisor with regard to the doctoral thesis topic needs and authorized by the committee for the doctoral degree in anthropology. Postgraduate students continuously perform tasks and activities towards their doctoral thesis in cooperation with and under the leadership of their supervisor (XD100 PhD Thesis), including the study of relevant literature (XD101 Literature Study). Students enrol in courses which extend their knowledge in the field above the extent of the Master's study programme, in courses which focus on specialized and profound knowledge in the field and also in specialized seminars. Students also assist their supervisors in tuition organization (both in the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes) (XD102 Teaching Assistance). If need be, students can spend part of their studies at another institution either in our country or abroad (XD103 Foreign Fellowship). The study plan is customized for the student to acquire an optimal amount of 30 ECTS credits per semester. The fulfilment of the study plan and study programme requirements is monitored upon the completion of each academic year.

Students regularly present their results at scientific conferences; to successfully complete the studies, students give at least one presentation in English (or other world language) at an international anthropological congress (XD106 Lecture in the Foreign Language). In cooperation with their supervisors, students publish partial results of their work in scientific peer-reviewed journals (XD 105 Scientific Publication Writing). To successfully complete the studies, it is required from students to publish at least one paper as the first (main) author in an IF journal (or at least to submit a confirmation that their work has been accepted for publication).

After the completion of the doctoral study programme and fulfilment of all the duties in the standard time, students submit their doctoral thesis - either in the form of monograph or as a commented collection of thematically oriented scientific papers. The thesis is assessed by two external experts appointed by the doctoral committee. Students sit for the doctoral state examination in anthropology and defend their doctoral thesis before the doctoral committee. The content of the doctoral state examination corresponds with the thematic orientation of the study programme. The extent of the examination is determined by the study programme committee with respect to the topic of the doctoral thesis.