Ecology University of South Bohemia in Ceské Budejovice (USB)

Overview

The courses cover various aspects of ecological theory as well as analysis and interpretation of ecological data using modern computational approaches. The main focus is on interactions among organisms and interactions of organisms with their environment, and consequences for the populations and functioning of communities. Strong emphasis is laid on the students' own research, which is reported in the Master thesis.

Students will acquire advanced knowledge and skills in ecology, especially the ability to design, perform and evaluate experiments in the field or labs. They will also acquire strong statistical foundations, the ability to present research outcomes or write successful grant proposals and they will develop critical thinking in reading scientific literature. As graduates, they will also be ready to pursue a PhD in Ecology at any university or a research institute in the world.

Mandatory-elective courses include e.g. 

• Community Ecology
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Modern Regression Methods
• Tropical Ecology or Plant-Animal Interactions. 

The master-thesis research is supposed to be conducted throughout the two years. The study is completed by State Final Exam, part of which consists of defending the Master thesis. In the thesis, students demonstrate their capability of theoretical (review) as well as experimental scientific work in the selected field of study.