Biomedicine

The main focus of the doctoralprogramme is on the research work of the student. In addition to the research work, the doctoral student also acquires the necessary theoretical knowledge in the course of his/her studies, with the possibility of choosing between compulsory core subjects, optional theoretical subjects and optional individual research subjects. At the beginning of the studies, the doctoral student will design his/her individual programme, which will be approved by the supervisor and the coordinator of the scientific field, by selecting the subjects. The study is based on collaboration with national and international top experts in order to achieve the highest standards of excellence.

The programme falls into several categories 0988, 0888 and 0588 under the KLASIUS-P-16 classification system for education and training, as it deals with basic and applied scientific work in a wide variety of scientific fields, which are not covered by any common code in the classification, and therefore cannot be placed in a single KLASIUS-P-16 category.

Upon enrolment, applicants have to choose one of the following scientific fields:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
• Pharmacy,
• Genetics,
• Public Health,
• Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine,
• Medicine - Clinical Orientation,
• Medicine - basic orientation,
• Medical Microbiology (for those enrolled before the academic year 2021/2022: Microbiology),
• Neuroscience,
• Toxicology,
• Veterinary Medicine.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (0512)

The aim of doctoral education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is to introduce doctoral students to recent developments in selected areas of biochemical and molecular biological sciences, with an emphasis on those areas in which Slovenian researchers have achieved internationally recognised results. The student will acquire the ability to master, build on and integrate fundamental knowledge with the latest knowledge and technologies in various fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. The student will acquire the competences for a systematic approach to the study of complex biochemical, molecular biological and biomedical problems, making full use of methodological potentials, and the skills for independent use of modern bioinformatics and other technologies related to biological systems.

The programme is designed for:

• Graduates of single Master's degree programmes (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy) who have completed a total of at least 20 KT in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, cell physiology and related subjects.
• Candidates who have completed a second cycle of studies in biochemistry, biology, microbiology, biotechnology, chemistry, toxicology, laboratory biomedicine.
• Candidates who have not completed the above-mentioned relevant courses in their previous university or Bologna postgraduate programmes and who have completed the pre-defined additional requirements in biochemistry and molecular biology of between 10 and 30 KT in their first- or second-cycle programmes.

Pharmacy (0916)

The scientific field of "Pharmacy" within the interdisciplinary doctoral programme Biomedicine deepens the understanding of theoretical and methodological concepts in the following areas: Molecular Pharmaceutical Chemistry (structure, properties, targets, interactions and methods for designing active pharmaceutical ingredients), Pharmaceutical Biology (biomolecules as targets for diagnostics and therapeutics, biologics, genetic and herbal medicines), Pharmaceutical Technology (pharmaceutical technology operations, delivery systems, nanotechnology and nanomedicines), Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics with Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Analysis, and Socio-pharmaceutics, Health Economics, and Pharmacoepidemiology. It trains doctoral students to develop new knowledge creatively and independently and to solve the most challenging professional and scientific problems using an interdisciplinary approach, developing critical reflection, developing research methods and translating knowledge into practice. The doctoral programme at UL FFA is characterised by a high level of student motivation, a high degree of interdisciplinarity and good links with potential employers. A PhD in Pharmacy thus enables employment in the most demanding and responsible positions in the broader field of pharmacy and related professions.

Pharmacy is open to graduates of single Master's programmes (Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine) and to graduates of the following second cycle programmes: industrial pharmacy, laboratory biomedicine, toxicology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology and biotechnology. Graduates who have not completed the single Master's degree in Pharmacy may be required to complete additional requirements in the subjects of the single Master's degree in Pharmacy of 10 to 20 ECTS. Exceptionally, graduates of other relevant second-level studies may also be admitted to the scientific field, but may be required to complete additional requirements of 10 to 30 ECTS in the courses of the single Master's degree in Pharmacy.

Public Health (0912)

Public Health is a scientific area in which students acquire knowledge about the possibilities and specificities of scientific research in the field of public health. As public health is a multi- and interdisciplinary science, the methods of scientific research are also very diverse. The interplay between biomedical research methods on the one hand, and social science and humanities research methods on the other hand, gives this scientific field a distinctive character. The field has the additional peculiarity of being able to conduct research at the population level, since the links between health phenomena and certain environmental determinants cannot be studied at the individual level.

The programme is delivered in three modules in the first year, two of which are modules of the core subject Scientific Aspects of Public Health. In the first module, students are introduced to the peculiarities and pitfalls of research on determinants of health, major public health problems and vulnerable and at-risk populations, and in the second module they are introduced to the peculiarities and pitfalls of research on public health interventions. The study is competency-based, which means that both modules aim at acquiring certain competences that are indispensable for independent scientific research work. The third module is the second module of the scientific area Medicine - Clinical Orientation - Methods in Clinical Research module.

The programme then consists of a minority of organised teaching (elective courses in the second year of study) and a majority of individual research work and the preparation of a doctoral dissertation.

This scientific field of study is open to students with a variety of backgrounds who have in common that they work in public health or health sciences. Therefore, there are no specific restrictions on the type of prior education required. However, in order to approximate the entry knowledge of the students, additional requirements may be set prior to enrolment in this scientific field. Graduates of the single master's degree programmes in medicine, dental medicine, veterinary medicine and pharmacy and the second cycle programmes in biomedical sciences, biotechnology and natural mathematics may enter without additional requirements, while graduates of the other degree programmes may be required to complete additional requirements ranging from 10 to 60 KT. They are offered a tutoring service to help them obtain the missing credits.

Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine (0912)

Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine focus on laboratory medical diagnostics. They are concerned with the search for and evaluation of relevant diagnostic indicators for the detection and monitoring of disease, as well as for the prediction or prevention of disease. High-quality diagnostic indicators will help to achieve patient-tailored (personalised) diagnosis and therapy. PhD students will learn how to approach the discovery of new biomarkers in a classical way and with the help of advanced "omics" technologies. They will be able to select, based on gridding and biostatistical tools, those that are worth further investigation in in vitro experiments and then to integrate them into clinical research. In the in vitro part of the research, students will use cell and tissue models to identify the mechanisms by which this key molecule is involved and to try to explain the basis of its potential diagnostic utility. To this end, the student will need to master many of the laboratory procedures and technologies involved in the analysis of DNA, RNA, non-coding RNA, proteins, cells and tissues. In the clinical part of the research, students will evaluate or validate their diagnostic utility.

The design and implementation of a proper clinical trial will be a large part of the PhD thesis and is usually carried out in collaboration with the clinical departments of the UKC or patients. These approaches will be theoretically demonstrated in common genetic, bone, autoimmune and cancer diseases, as well as in pharmacogenomics and regenerative medicine, while the topics of the PhD theses are linked to the supervisors. These come from a wide variety of backgrounds, so the range of potential diagnosticians to be sought and evaluated is very broad.

Medicine - Clinical orientation (0912, 0911)

The aim of training in clinical medicine is to train new doctors of science in this field. Doctoral students will be introduced to the fundamentals of medical research, including ethics in medical research, preparation and presentation of research papers, critical evaluation of scientific publications, research funding, etc. Doctoral students will also be introduced to some of the methods in medical research, with an emphasis on newer methods and new developments in clinical research. Doctoral students will acquire the knowledge and competences to independently monitor research achievements in the field of clinical medicine using bioinformatics technology, the ability to critically evaluate previous research results and scientific methods, and will be trained to work independently and as a team in scientific research and the development of new research methods.

The course is aimed at medical and dental graduates.

Medicine - Basic orientation (0912, 0911)

The study programme in Medicine - Basic Orientation is aimed at PhD students whose scientific research work will require theoretical and methodological knowledge of fundamental biological processes relevant to medicine.

The scientific field is open to graduates of single Master's degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy, as well as Master's degree programmes in biomedical sciences, biotechnical sciences and natural mathematical sciences.

The basic concept of the scientific field of Medicine - Basic Orientation is the integration and transfer of knowledge from basic biological paradigms to new approaches in medicine and clinical problem solving. The study of this field provides the acquisition and deepening of knowledge of the cell-biological and molecular mechanisms of cell function and enables the application of this knowledge in medical practice. The basic course introduces students to the cellular organisation and function of cells in multicellular organisms, the laws of structure and function of pathologically altered cells, and the advanced experimental methods used to study cells. Reproductive biology as a basis for basic and some clinical sciences is introduced. An in-depth understanding of the characteristics of malignantly transformed cells, cancer targets and therapeutic modalities of treatment is provided. Knowledge is enhanced with examples of translational oncology.

Students learn about genetic mechanisms, their impact on cell function and their role in disease development. Students are introduced to the technologies of the post-genomic era, in particular the new generation of sequencing, and the process of translating basic post-genomic knowledge into clinical practice and the public health system. They also gain a foundation for the understanding, development and clinical application of gene therapies. Students can acquire additional in-depth and research-oriented knowledge through an individual choice of theoretical and research subjects. As the scientific field is highly multidisciplinary and dynamic, experts and collaborators from various national and international institutions are involved in the study process.

Medical Microbiology (0912) (for those enrolled before the academic year 2021/2022: Microbiology)

The PhD in Medical Microbiology is primarily aimed at graduates of a single Master's degree programme in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or Pharmacy. It is also suitable for graduates of second cycle programmes in agronomy, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, genetics, microbiology, chemistry, toxicology or food technology. The study of medical microbiology can also be a source of important knowledge for doctors specialising in areas of medicine dealing with infectious diseases.  

The PhD in Medical Microbiology will provide the student with a detailed understanding of the virulence factors (invasiveness, toxicity, oncogenicity) of micro-organisms of importance to humans, their pathogenetic mechanisms, including mechanisms of evasion of the immune response, and the fundamentals of laboratory diagnosis of infections, diagnostic algorithms in clinical microbiology, critical interpretation of microbiological test results, ways of resolving complex diagnostic complications and doubts, and differential diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of infectious diseases, including vaccination.

Neuroscience (0912)

Interested in a doctoral in Neuroscience? Neuroscience is one of the most prolific scientific and medical disciplines. While it is based on the traditional study of human reactions and behaviour and on clinical observation of patients with nervous system injuries and diseases, it has gained momentum in recent decades, with the rapid development of genetic, biochemical, electrophysiological, imaging and computational methods that provide insights into the functioning of the nervous system in new, more objective and scientific ways; This is why an advanced doctoral programme can be as much a clinician as a basic science-oriented scientist, a psychologist, a cognitive scientist or a computer scientist. It can be taken either as a core subject or only as an elective. The spectrum of neuroscience ranges from the study of molecules, synapses, neurons, through neural systems, to broader questions of consciousness and the self - in health and in disease. In the first year, students learn the theoretical framework - biochemical, cellular, anatomical and physiological - in two modules. In parallel, in weekly meetings with leading Slovenian and international researchers in the field of neuroscience, they address research questions from both a substantive and methodological point of view; prepare their own seminars; and define their doctoral thesis, which they will then carry out in the second and third years. The content of the weekly meetings covers a basic theoretical part, which is also adapted to the selected research topics of the PhD students.

The basic course in Neuroscience, which consists of two modules (basic and clinical, 10 ECTS), is open to graduates of single Master's programmes (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy) and to graduates of second cycle programmes in psychology, biology, cognitive science. In exceptional cases, in agreement with the selected mentor, graduates of other postgraduate studies may also enrol. At the discretion of the mentor and the course leader, these students may be given a knowledge test prior to enrolment.

If you fit this description, you are welcome to join the course.

Toxicology (0512)

Toxicology is a scientific field of study for graduates of single Master's degree programmes (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy) who have completed a total of at least 20 KT in biochemistry, toxicological chemistry, toxicology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmaceutical chemistry and related subjects.

For other candidates, a second cycle degree in toxicology, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, biotechnology, chemistry is required.

Students who have not completed the above relevant courses in their previous programmes may be required to take additional courses in biochemistry and toxicological chemistry of between 10 and 30 KT in their first or second cycle programmes.

Veterinary Medicine (0888)

Prerequisites for entry to work or study:

(i) Graduates of a single master's degree programme (veterinary medicine, medicine, pharmacy) with a minimum of 20 KT in biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, genetics, histology with embryology, pathological physiology, pathological morphology, hygiene or animal nutrition pathology;

(ii) graduates of postgraduate courses in biotechnology and natural sciences with a minimum of 20 KT in biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, genetics, histology with embryology, pathological physiology, pathological morphology, hygiene or animal nutrition pathology;

(iii) graduates of other postgraduate programmes not including the above subjects shall be required to take additional requirements in the veterinary medicine programme of 10-30 KT.

The study content allows the PhD student to build on their basic knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of selected topics in the veterinary sciences. The content includes:

morphological-functional properties of the animal cell, the cell as a carrier of heredity, the transmission of hereditary information to offspring, the regulation of gene expression and cell signalling, biochemical and physiological processes and their neuro-endocrine regulation to maintain homeostasis and the responsiveness of the organism to various environmental influences, progenesis, fertilisation and early embryonic development in domestic animals, familiarisation with modern research methods, the main causes of disorders and basic pathophysiological processes in organisms (knowledge of which is the basis for understanding the development, clinical diagnosis and therapy of various diseases), morphological changes in organs, tissues and cells (important for the recognition of abnormal functioning of the organism, which contributes to a better understanding of the action of harmful factors and the organism's response to them in disease processes), the correlation of changes in biochemical parameters to identify disturbances in the functioning of organ systems, disturbances in mineral metabolism, electrolyte metabolism, acid-base balance and processes in animals associated with alimentary poisoning,  the effects of human-animal interactions, with emphasis on the consumption of food of animal origin, using epidemiological and statistical tools, risk analysis assessment, new knowledge in the field of technology in the meat and dairy processing industries, as well as in the processing industries of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, frogs, eggs, honey and products derived from the above-mentioned primary raw materials.

Enrolment in the interdisciplinary doctoral study programme Biomedicine is open to candidates who have completed:

· a second-cycle study programme;

· a study programme leading to professions regulated by EU directives, or another integrated master's degree programme evaluated at 300 ECTS credits;

· a study programme leading to an academic higher education qualification, adopted before 11 June 2004;

· a master of science degree or a study programme leading to specialisation, if the candidate has previously completed a programme leading to an academic higher education qualification. Course units totalling 60 ECTS credits are recognised for these candidates based on their application, as provided by law;

· a study programme leading to a specialisation following a completed professional higher education programme. Additional study requirements for individual fields totalling 30 to 60 ECTS credits are determined for these candidates by the Biomedicine Programme Council.

Enrolment in the doctoral programme is also open to graduates of foreign universities. The equivalence of previously acquired education in a foreign country will be established by means of the procedure for the recognition of foreign qualifications for the purposes of further education in accordance with the Statutes of the University of Ljubljana.

In the event of restricted enrolment, the candidates will be selected based on:

- performance in 2nd cycle studies or performance in an integrated master’s programme evaluated at 300 credits, or performance in a former academic higher education programme
and
- the selection exam, where the following is also evaluated:

1. a reviewed scientific article, published or accepted for publication,
2. awards and recognitions,
3. professional specialisation and
4. other.

The rating method is determined by the Programme Council.

In the event of restricted enrolment, candidates with a higher total score will be selected.

1. Diploma: a certified or certified true copy of the diploma attesting completion of a second cycle degree programme or a bachelor's degree programme completed before 11 June 2004. In the case of a master's degree completed under the old (pre-diploma) postgraduate programmes, the candidate must also attach a copy of this diploma.

2. Diploma supplement or certificate of the average mark in examinations and exercises and the grade of the thesis: a certified or plain copy of the complete diploma supplement or the faculty's certificate of the average mark in examinations and exercises in the full degree programme, or in the second cycle degree programme or in the bachelor's degree programme adopted before 11 June 2004, or in the master's degree programme completed under the old (pre-bachelor's) postgraduate study programmes and the grade of the thesis.

3. Mentor's declaration: applicants must find a mentor before enrolling. A mentor's declaration of acceptance of mentoring (and a possible co-mentor's declaration of acceptance of co-mentoring) can be attached when applying for the call, but must be attached no later than the time of enrolment. List of potential mentors.

4. Conceptual outline of the doctoral dissertation: At the time of application, and at the latest before enrolment, the candidate should give a brief outline of the research problem on no more than two A4 pages.

5. List of Annexes.

1. Bibliography: a bibliography or other evidence of scientific articles published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, e.g. copies of research articles.
   
   
2. Student prizes and awards: evidence of authorship of an award-winning student thesis, e.g. Prešeren Prize at the University of Ljubljana, Prešeren Prize at the Faculty, Prešeren Award, Krka Prize.
   
   
3. International and national competition prizes: proof of prize(s) in international and national competitions.
   
   
4. Presentations at conferences and symposia: proof of presentations at conferences and symposia.
   
   
5. Professional specialisation: proof of completion of professional specialisation.
   
   
6. Applicants who do not have a Slovenian EMŠO may attach a copy of their identity document: EU nationals a copy of their identity card or passport, non-EU nationals a copy of their passport.
   
   
7. Other supporting documents: evidence of other relevant achievements.
   
   
8. If you wish to apply for admission as a student with a disability or special status, you will need to submit the relevant application and attachments.