Biology and Biochemistry

Unveiling the Secrets of Life. Your Gateway to the Living World.

Degree programme objectives

The study programme "Biology and Biochemistry" is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in biology and biochemistry, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach. It aims to prepare students for subsequent master's studies in English, both in the field of biology (Molecular and Cell Biology) and biochemistry (Biochemical and Cellular Technologies). One of the main objectives of the programme is to provide students with a broad theoretical and practical knowledge base in the fields of biochemistry and biology. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience in all vital areas of inorganic chemistry, organic biochemistry, biochemistry, general biology, microbiology, physiology, and molecular biology. The programme enables students to acquire essential laboratory skills in biochemical and biological methods. Another goal is to teach students how to analyze and process data obtained from laboratory analyses. The programme offers comprehensive training in data analysis and processing, which is crucial for scientific work. We expect students of this programme to come from various parts of the world, allowing us to create a genuinely multicultural educational environment. A secondary objective is to compare the knowledge and skills of students from different corners of the world and prepare them for further academic pursuits or professional careers. This programme is unique, aimed at creating a new generation of experts prepared to address complex challenges in the fields of biology and biochemistry. The programme is supported by lectures and seminars from leading experts of the Faculty of Science, ensuring a high-quality education.

Study plans

Biology and Biochemistry

full-time, single-subject

Admission Procedures
Admission to Bachelor's programme Biology and Biochemistry, 2025/2026
Submission deadline until midnight 28/2/2025

Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programme
To be eligible for admission to the Biology and Biochemistry Bachelor's program, you must have completed secondary education with a strong background in science subjects. Proficiency in English is required, as the program is taught entirely in English.
Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, a motivation letter, and documentation of their achieved level of English language knowledge (if English is not their native language). The entrance exam will be organized in two rounds in MARCH 2025.
Admission is based on the overall results of the entrance exam and the program's capacity.

1) The first round will consist of an online test on 13th March 2025. On that day, applicants will be allowed to open the exam application at any time for a specified duration. The test will consist of 50 questions from the topic areas listed below. Questions will be in the form of multiple-choice or open-ended questions. Candidates' materials will also be assessed in the first round.
Required documents:
- Motivation letter (up to one page max.)
- Transcript of Records
- Documentation of the achieved level of English language knowledge (if English is not the native language).
2) Those applicants who successfully pass the first round will be invited for an online interview, which will be held between 19-21st March 2025. The expected duration is 30 minutes.
The applicants will be asked 3 questions: 1 general (applicant’s introduction, experience in the field, motivation, expectations of the study) and 2 specialized from the field of biology and biochemistry.

Applicants have to demonstrate basic knowledge in the field of biology and biochemistry at the high school level in the following areas:
- Chemical components of cells Cell membranes, cytoskeleton, and organelles (mitochondria, chloroplasts, cell nucleus, etc.)
- Structure of DNA and chromosomes
- DNA replication
- Processes of transcription and translation
- Structure and function of proteins
- Structure and properties of biochemically relevant molecules (amino acids, peptides, proteins, saccharides, lipids, nucleic acids)
- Metabolism (membrane transport, photosynthesis, Krebs cycle)
- Periodic table of elements
- Chemical bonds - ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds, polar and nonpolar bonds
- Acidity and alkalinity (pH, pOH)
- Nomenclature of inorganic and organic compounds
Recommended reading for the examinations under this field
Moore, J. T., & Langley, R. H. (2022). Biochemistry For Dummies (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781119860952.

Kratz, R. F. (2019). Biology Essentials For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781119590156.
Evaluation criteria valid for the applicants applying for a place on this degree programme
Admission is based on the results of a two-round admission process and programme's capacity.
In the first stage, the applicant must obtain at least 350 points out of 500.
- On-line test (50 questions, 10 points per question)
In the second stage, the applicant must obtain at least 350 points out of 500.
- exam interview (max. 250 points)
- expressing motivation (max. 100 points)
- English language skills (max. 150 points)

Studies

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Objectives
The study programme "Biology and Biochemistry" is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in biology and biochemistry, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach. It aims to prepare students for subsequent master's studies in English, both in the field of biology (Molecular and Cell Biology) and biochemistry (Biochemical and Cellular Technologies). One of the main objectives of the programme is to provide students with a broad theoretical and practical knowledge base in the fields of biochemistry and biology. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience in all vital areas of inorganic chemistry, organic biochemistry, biochemistry, general biology, microbiology, physiology, and molecular biology. The programme enables students to acquire essential laboratory skills in biochemical and biological methods. Another goal is to teach students how to analyze and process data obtained from laboratory analyses. The programme offers comprehensive training in data analysis and processing, which is crucial for scientific work. We expect students of this programme to come from various parts of the world, allowing us to create a genuinely multicultural educational environment. A secondary objective is to compare the knowledge and skills of students from different corners of the world and prepare them for further academic pursuits or professional careers. This programme is unique, aimed at creating a new generation of experts prepared to address complex challenges in the fields of biology and biochemistry. The programme is supported by lectures and seminars from leading experts of the Faculty of Science, ensuring a high-quality education.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- integrate and apply theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of biochemistry and biology
- conduct experiments and analyses using various biochemical and biological techniques and will be able to interpret data and outcomes
- handle various types of data, including the statistical processing of such data
- work effectively and safely in a laboratory setting
- have a basic orientation in scientific research and its methodology, apply knowledge from one discipline to problems and questions in another discipline
- effectively communicate their findings and knowledge, both in written and oral forms
- have profound specialized knowledge in certain advanced areas of biochemistry and biology and will be capable of applying these specialized insights to address scientific questions and issues, recognizing new research and innovation opportunities
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
Graduates of the "Biology and Biochemistry" programme will possess comprehensive knowledge and skills in the fields of biology and biochemistry, enabling them to adapt flexibly to workplace requirements. The programme is designed to provide a broad theoretical and practical knowledge base, affording graduates significant flexibility in their professional careers.
Graduates will have the requisite competencies for involvement in research and development in pharmaceutical companies, biotechnological companies, or scientific institutions. They can find employment in laboratories focused on the biochemical analysis and quality control of food, pharmaceuticals, or environmental samples.
Graduates may work in organizations aimed at nature conservation and biodiversity. They can engage in research in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, or microbiology. Graduates may also find opportunities in governmental institutions responsible for the regulation and control of chemical substances and biotechnological products.
Additionally, graduates will possess strong language competencies, facilitating their employability in an international context. Their interdisciplinary education makes them attractive to employers from various sectors, including roles in marketing and commerce in fields where they have specialized knowledge.
Practical Training
The critical practical training in experimental laboratory work will be provided to students through their involvement in research for a bachelor's thesis, under the guidance of experienced supervisors. Each student will be enrolled in a specific research project and will receive training in biochemical and molecular-biological methods, as well as in the presentation of scientific data in both oral and written forms.
Goals of Theses
The bachelor's thesis is an integral part of the 'Biology and Biochemistry' study programme and is designed to provide students with practical skills and experiences that complement their theoretical knowledge. Emphasis is placed on laboratory work, where students, under the guidance of their thesis supervisor, process and evaluate experimental data. The bachelor's thesis is presented both in written form and electronically, with the work being published on the university network. Independent work must be clearly and comprehensibly written, free from grammatical and logical errors. The thesis must contain chapters according to the guidelines specified in "Dean's Decree No. 3/2019 (Guidelines for the Preparation of Bachelor's, Master's, and Rigorous Theses at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University)." The text must include the following chapters: introduction, theoretical part containing the results of literary research, and objectives of the work; an experimental section containing materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, literature, list of abbreviations, or list of appendices. The recommended length of the bachelor's thesis, including the first page of the theoretical part and the last page with the conclusion, is between 20 and 30 pages.
Access to Further Studies
The 'Biology and Biochemistry' study programme is designed to provide students not only with a broad knowledge base in the fields of biology and biochemistry but also with the practical skills and experiences needed for further academic pursuits. The programme is structured in such a way that graduates will possess all the necessary competencies to continue their studies at the master's level. At Masaryk University's Faculty of Science, two subsequent master's programmes are available that ideally build upon this bachelor's programme. One is focused on biology and is titled 'Molecular and Cell Biology,' and the other is centered on biochemistry, known as 'Biochemical and Cellular Technologies.' This approach ensures that students have the opportunity to continue their academic journey in the area most relevant and interesting to them.