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

• Plan and design experiments, evaluate and statistically process the results, and interpret them in a broader context.
• Have a good understanding of the methods used in his/her area of interest and design and implement new techniques and processes.
• Formulate new scientific problems, develop possible ways to solve them and submit his/her proposed solutions as a grant application.
• Continuously monitor current scientific literature in the field and use the available information in his/her own work.
• Write papers for publication and deliver lectures at conferences.
• Use basic teaching techniques.

Graduates are encouraged to continue their career as scientists and lecturers at a university or to work in the laboratories of research institutes focusing on biochemistry, physiology, and allied sciences, as independent research and development experts.

The standard length of the study programme is 4 years.

To apply for the study programme, students must have completed a degree programme at a medical or pharmaceutical faculty or faculty of science in chemical, biochemical, or biological sciences. Previous experience with independent student research work in the laboratory as part of diploma thesis research (faculty of science, pharmaceutical faculty) or other individual research work (faculty of medicine) is expected.

During the admission interview, candidates must demonstrate the required level of knowledge and competence for independent creative thinking and scientific work.

During the course of their studies, students are required to enrol in 5 required courses, at least 3 selective courses and one elective course.

Required courses:

Biochemistry

Medical Physiology (the course is compulsory for doctoral students with non-medical education)

Molecular Biology and Genetics

English Language

Obtaining Scientific Information

Selective courses:

Clinical Biochemistry

New Trends in Pathophysiology

New Trends in Medical Immunology

Clinical Data Analysis

Ethics of Biomedical Research

Rhetoric. Standards of Interpersonal Communication.

Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials

Computer Network User

In addition to completing the courses, there are additional requirements, such as:

Participation in specialized seminars recommended by the supervisor.

Participation in scientific seminars at the Department of Biochemistry. Students must present their own results three times a year.

Presentation of the dissertation research project conferences both at home and abroad.

Students participate in teaching undergraduates for at least two semesters.

A short internship at a cooperating laboratory abroad is also recommended.

To complete their studies, students must publish at least one original paper in a journal with impact factor as well as other papers, and earn at least 10 publication points (abstract in a journal with no impact factor – 1 point; review paper published in Czech – 2 points; review paper published in another language in a journal with no IF – 3 points; abstract in a journal with IF – 3 points; original paper in a Czech or Slovak journal with no IF – 4 points; original paper in a foreign journal with no IF – 5 points).

To be admitted to the doctoral thesis defence, students must fulfil the following requirements:

1. Earn the required number of 240 credits for their studies.

2. Pass at least 5 courses common to all doctoral students.

3. Meet the publication requirements.

4. Pass the state doctoral examination in Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry. To pass this exam, students need to demonstrate systematic and deep knowledge of biochemistry focused on the metabolism of the human body and its physiological and pathobiochemical aspects. Students must also be familiar with the latest developments in molecular biology.

5. Submit the doctoral thesis.

The final graduation requirement is a successful defence of the doctoral thesis. The defence is public and takes place before a board consisting of a chair, the thesis supervisor, members of the doctoral studies board and doctoral thesis readers, who are experts on the given research topic. At the defence, the student is first introduced by his/her supervisor and then presents the main points of his/her thesis. The readers then present their thesis reports and the student responds to them. After the discussion that follows, the board holds a secret vote about the result and gives a grade.