Degree: MASTER
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
ECTS: 120
Fields of study: Biology, Ecology
Language of instruction: Russian, English (on request)

DESCRIPTION

The Master program provides training of specialists who have basic knowledge of the diversity of plant and animal organisms and who understand the importance of biodiversity for the sustainability of the living organisms’ habitat; forming their ecological world view, judgments on scientific and social problems, the ability to use modern educational and information technologies in professional activities; and the possibility of further in-depth specialization in postgraduate studies.  Master students in this area will possess a wide range of research and analytical methods in the field of general biology and applied ecology, biological control of the environment, environmental monitoring, which will allow them to effectively implement their knowledge and skills in research institutions and organizations having environmental impact and implementing environmental management programmes, as well as in a variety of control structures and environmental authorities.

Forms of in-class activity: lectures, laboratory classes, practical classes, practical and on-the-job training, review sessions, and students’ individual work.

AIMS

research activity:
•    selecting and justifying the goal, organizing and conducting scientific research on a relevant issue in accordance with the orientation (profile) of the master degree  pro-gramme;
•    formulating new tasks arising during the study;
•    selecting, justifying and implementing the methods that are adequate to the goal;
•    developing new theories, models, research methods, methodological approaches;
•    working with scientific information using new technologies;
•    processing and evaluating research results;
•    preparing and executing scientific articles, reports, patents and reports, seminars, con-ferences.

pedagogical activity:
•    implementing of educational activities in designing and implementing the educational process in general educational institutions and higher education institutions in accordance with the direction of training;
•    implementing teaching activities in professional educational organizations in accordance with the direction of training.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the course the student should be able to:
•    use fundamental biological ideas in the field of professional activity for setting and solv-ing new problems;
•    analyze available information, identify fundamental problems, set a task and carry out field and laboratory biological research in solving specific problems using modern equipment and computing tools, be responsible for the quality of work and scientific ac-curacy of the results;
•    use the basic knowledge of the biosphere theory, understand modern biospheric processes for systematic evaluation of geopolitical phenomena and predicting the consequences of implementing socially significant projects;
•    apply modern computer technologies in the collection, storage, processing, analysis and transfer of biological information to solve professional problems;
•    draw up, submit and report the results of research and production and technological works in accordance with  the approved forms;
•    use the knowledge of fundamental and applied sections of the disciplines (modules) that determine the direction (profile) of the master degree programme in scientific and indus-trial-technological activity;
•    apply methodological foundations of design, field and laboratory biological, environmen-tal research, use modern equipment and computing systems (in accordance with the di-rection (profile) of the master degree programme);
•    prepare teaching and learning material, deliver lectures, teach in institutions of higher education and manage research work of students, present the teaching and learning ma-terial in oral, written and graphic form;
•    implement the subject area of developing effective methods for studying and assessing the state of organisms, populations and communities in interaction with the environment;
•    use ecological methods for solving practical problems of general ecology, environmental monitoring, environmental assessment, forecasting biological resources of the biosphere, environmental management;
•    apply methods and means of studying and assessing the state of soil biota, aquatic eco-systems, landscapes;
•    solve social and environmental problems, including problems of human ecology.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates can work as a biologist or an ecologist in research institutions, organizations that have an impact on the environment and implement environmental management programs, in a variety of monitoring structures and environmental protection agencies, and as a teacher in general educational institutions, institutions of secondary vocational education and in high education.