Life as chemical reactions

Představení studijního programu

The goal of studies is to prepare highly-qualified specialists for further working in the field of biochemistry. The student will get necessary theoretical background and skills to realize his/her own research project in a research group under the guidance of a supervisor. Modern instrumentation and experienced personnel at the Department of Biochemistry create unique opportunities for student to be involved in numerous research activities concerning metabolic and regulatory processes in bacteria, fungi and higher plants as well as various biochemical aspects of human pathogenesis. The research covers a wide spectrum of biological levels from whole organisms to tissues, cells and individual proteins. The palette of possibilities is broadened through long-term cooperation with several research institutions at home and abroad. Biochemistry is marked by its open and interdisciplinary character, the classical biochemical approaches being frequently combined with methodology from other disciplines such as microbiology, molecular biology, informatics, and biophysics. This increases graduates’ adaptability and their ability to apply acquired skills in working life.

Studijní plány

Přijímací řízení
International applicants for doctoral study (Czech and Slovak Republics applicants NOT included)
Termín podání do půlnoci 15. 12. 2024

  • Informace o přijímacích zkouškách v tomto studijním programu
    Admission procedure
    Graduates of a master's degree in the same or a related field of study are admitted to the doctoral programme in biochemistry. Previous work experience is not a prerequisite for admission. Applicants should demonstrate the prerequisites for creative work in the field based on their thesis or their own publications. In addition, he/she should have an active knowledge of general biochemistry (structure and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids) and preparative and analytical biochemistry (procedures for the isolation of proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids and low molecular weight substances, basic principles and applications of optical, chromatographic, electromigration, electrochemical and immunochemical methods). The ability to communicate in English at the level of understanding a popular science article, writing a short English summary and general discussion on topics related primarily to one's CV, university and research activities is required. The admission procedure includes the proposal of a supervisor (from a list of experts pre-approved by the Faculty of Science and appointed by the Dean) and a framework study plan. The selection of candidates is carried out by a committee appointed by the Dean of the Faculty.

    More information about admission process for international applicants in general can be found in the section Admission Process.

    Date of the entrance exam
    The applicants will receive information about the entrance exam by e-mail usually at least 10 days before the exam.
    Please, always check your e-mails, including spam folders.

    Conditions of admission
    Candidates are scored according to their knowledge of biochemistry (maximum 100 points) and English (maximum 100 points). To be accepted, they have to earn at least 50 points in each category.
    Successful applicants are informed of their acceptance by e-mail and subsequently receive an invitation to the enrolment.

    Programme capacity
    The capacity of a given programme is not fixed; students are admitted based on a decision by the Doctoral Board after assessing their aptitude for study and motivation.

Studium

  • Cíle

    The goal of studies is to prepare highly-qualified specialists for further working in the field of biochemistry. The student will get necessary theoretical background and skills to realize his/her own research project in a research group under the guidance of a supervisor. Modern instrumentation and experienced personnel at the Department of Biochemistry create unique opportunities for student to be involved in numerous research activities concerning metabolic and regulatory processes in bacteria, fungi and higher plants as well as various biochemical aspects of human pathogenesis. The research covers a wide spectrum of biological levels from whole organisms to tissues, cells and individual proteins. The palette of possibilities is broadened through long-term cooperation with several research institutions at home and abroad. Biochemistry is marked by its open and interdisciplinary character, the classical biochemical approaches being frequently combined with methodology from other disciplines such as microbiology, molecular biology, informatics, and biophysics. This increases graduates’ adaptability and their ability to apply acquired skills in working life.

  • Výstupy z učení

    Absolvent je po úspěšném ukončení studia schopen:

    • autonomously plan and conduct research projects with appropriate methodology and research techniques
    • prepare and publish an original scientific article
    • present and defend the results of his/her research at an international scientific forum
    • use broader theoretical and practical knowledge of biochemistry
    • critically evaluate and appropriately employ the newest thematic and methodological development in the field
    • understand and communicate in professional English
    • gain experience in international cooperation
    • transfer the knowledge and skills to other persons by their teaching
    • demonstrate transferable skills such as team building, leadership and communication, project management
  • Uplatnění absolventa

    Graduates a doctoral degree program may continue their academic career at universities and research institutions both in the Czech Republic and abroad. They will be qualified for team member and leadership positions in scientific research and development at private firms and biochemical laboratories at a broad range of institutions specializing in human or veterinary medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology. The professional specialization of the graduates is also compatible with further work in the field of environmental protection and with environmental movements and initiatives.

  • Standardy kvalifikačních prací

    The thesis is a compulsory part of the education for doctoral studies the purpose of which is to demonstrate the students' ability to make an original contribution to the empirical or theoretical research. It can be written in Czech, Slovak or English language.

    The thesis must contain new research findings which the student has uncovered independently or in cooperation with others and which have been published or accepted for publication in internationally recognised scientific journal(s) with peer review. The minimum requirement is one research paper published in a journal from the first or second quartile (Q1 or Q2) of impact factor according to ISI Web of Knowledge. A possible but not preferred alternative are two thematically related papers published in less ranked journals (Q3 or Q4). However, this option requires prior consultation and approval by the doctoral board.

    The PhD student must be the first author of at least one publication. The publication with joint first authorship counts for one divided by the number of first authors (i.e., in case of two first authors it counts for 1/2 publication and so on). This means that one publication with co-first author is not enough to meet the first authorship requirement.

    The thesis can either be written as a monograph or as a compilation thesis including scientific articles. A monograph is typically 80-100 pages long (without counting the list of references) with standard formatting (Times New Roman size 12 point or equivalent, 1.5 line spacing) and consists of the parts Title page, Acknowledgement (optional), Abstract, Introduction, Literature review, Aims, Material and Methods , Results, Discussion, Conclusion and References, followed by a list of the student's papers and conference presentations. It does not contain the copies of the papers which are delivered separately by the student. A compilation thesis should, apart from separate papers attached as appendices, include a text of about 30-50 pages divided into before mentioned sections. The Material and Methods section can be restricted to a short list of techniques used. In the Results section all the details of publications need not be repeated, but instead it is to emphasize the main findings of the student. The discussion should bring out the general importance of new findings and put them in context of current knowledge in the field. If the attached publications are the work of several authors, the student’s independent role in these must be proven by including a statement in which a student's contribution to each publication is defined and confirmed by the supervisor.

Základní údaje

Zkratka
D-BCHA_
Typ
doktorský
Titul
Ph.D.
Doba studia
4 roky
Vyučovací jazyk
angličtina angličtina
Roční poplatek za studium
3000 €

Přírodovědecká fakulta
Program zajišťuje
Ve spolupráci s
Akademie věd ČR
Biofyzikální ústav AV ČR