Specializations in Ph.D. study programme Botany

Faculty of Science - Ph.D. study programmes accredited in English

Programme Botany
Specialization Botany

Programme Director:
Prof. Jan Lepš, PhD.
Contact phone: ++420-387775358; e-mail: suspa@entu.cas.cz

Co-operating institutions:
Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice u Prahy and Třeboň

Characteristics:
Education of students in all basic botanical disciplines including the problems of both cryptogams and vascular plants. Lectures are given by specialists experienced in various branches of botanical science, who usually have long research experience and who participate in projects and scientific programs at the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the University of South Bohemia, and/or at the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences. The themes of dissertations represent a wide spectrum of botanical research. Several projects are closely connected with the core program of Czech botanists, i.e. the elaboration of the complete Flora of the Czech Republic, but other projects are broadly concerned with important hydrobiological, ecological or landscape ecological problems. Several areas of study focus on the problems of speciation, diversification, and modern molecular taxonomy of cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes and vascular plants. The latest modern laboratory (genetic, physiological) and field methodological procedures (population biology, ecological and autecological approach) are used for this work; the methods aimed at the investigation of the ecology of plant communities, succession, invasive plants, the role of plants in ecosystems and in landscape are an integral part of the educational procedures. Students participate in several important Czech or international research projects.

The degree Doctor of Philosophy ensures that the students are equipped with the necessary skills and methodological knowledge to undertake original research in their chosen field of study. They have all the necessary pre-requisites for leading positions in a broad array of biologically oriented fields of research and management. Graduates are expected to launch their professional career at research and education institutions including universities, at institutes of applied research in water research and water management, in landscape ecology, nature protection and conservation, in museums, as well as in basic research or university activities.

Areas of Ph.D. research:

Taxonomy and ecology of cyanobacteria, algae and vascular plants and their speciation, diversification and function in ecosystems. Population ecology, dynamics and variability in population development. Fytogeography and chorology of higher plants. Geobotany. Co-existence and competition of species in plant communities. Invasive plants. Vegetation succession. Archeobotany and palynology.

Recently defended Ph.D. theses - Botany