Biotechnology Programme code: 01-S2BTA14.2017

During the second cycle-studies of biotechnology, completed by the defense of master thesis, students learns, under the supervision of their professors, how to pose and solve problems concerning plant and environmental biotechnology and actively take part in scientific researches. Within the frame of chosen department students realize specialization and MSc laboratories as well as specialization seminar. A 2-year lasting master research project is the first that students conduct, to great extent, by themselves and it is closely related to the research profile of the department. Specialization laboratories which take place in modern, fully equipped departmental laboratories are crucial in this process. Specialization and master seminar provide theoretical support, necessary for a proper realization of the master project. The aim of these seminars is to teach students how to plan scientific experiments as well as to prepare, discuss and present the results of their master thesis. Apart from these, each student acquires advanced knowledge on such disciplines as bioinformatics, bioethics, plant and microbial biotechnology. An important and obligatory element of the education is also the introduction to modern information technologies and statistical methods in natural sciences. Apart from the modules that guarantee the basic knowledge, number of facultative modules enable students to individualize the course of their studies according to their personal interests and selected specialization. This offer is complemented by a wide range of modules from beyond the main specialization. Qualifications acquired at this study are the basis for applying for mid-level managerial posts in laboratories and institutions connected with food and pharmaceutical industry, as well as in the area of health care, environmental protection, plant breeding, pest control and in similar branches of science and economy. The second-cycle studies also prepare the graduates to continue their education at the next level of education i.e. PhD studies in the same or similar area.

After being recruited, a student chooses a Department to realize the seminars, laboratory classes and the MSc thesis. The head of the Department selects the students on the basis of the interview and the marks obtained by the candidate at the courses related to the research profile of the Department. Interviews take place in the second part of July. Students at Biotechnology realize their diploma theses in one of the following departments: Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Genetics, Department of Biophysics and Plant Morphogenesis, Department of Histology and Animal Embryology, Department of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology and Department of Microbiology. The choice of a supervisor and decision on the MSc thesis subject takes place during the 1st month of the 1st semester. The MSc thesis is of an research character and is related with the chosen specialization. Student has to submit their MSc thesis in the Dean’s Office. An academic teacher of at least PhD hab. degree is appointed as the reviewer. A diploma exam is taken in front of an examination board consisted of 3 persons: a supervisor, a reviewer and a head of the board. During the exam at least three questions are posed by the supervisor and the reviewer. The final mark, written in the diploma, is calculated according to the rules defined in the Statute of the Studies in the University of Silesia (enclosure to the announcement of the Rector of the University of Silesia, published on the September 2 2011).

The education within the specialization is convergent with the operational aims, outlined in the strategy of development of the University of Silesia for 2012-2020, especially those referring to the operational aim: innovative education and modern teaching offer. The internationalization and mobility in the educational process, realized mainly due to LPP Erasmus program, cover both the scientific and educational trips of Polish students and academic teachers to numerous universities in Europe and increasing mobility in the opposite direction. Incessant increase in the quality of education is achieved, among others, by the development of didactic competences of the academic teachers and internal system of ensuring high-quality education. Valuable contribution to the increase in education quality is also realized by effective support of a standard didactic offer by projects financed by European Social Fund, e.g. projects for commissioned specialties. The offer of educational program of this specialization is constantly modified and updated to follow, to the greatest extent, the expectations of a local and global labor markets. This is possible, mainly, thanks to an activation of the cooperation with the local environment, especially with employers from biotechnological sector . The educational program of this specialization is regularly consulted with the employers. Our high-quality education is supported by a close connections with researches conducted by the scientists of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection. Most of them reach an international level. According to the mission of the University of Silesia, the education process is oriented to the most complete development of each student and its aimed at opening cognitive perspectives to the students who want to enter them as independent, thinking person, taking part in their everyday life.