Why choose the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Lodz?

The Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection (WBiOŚ) is one of the largest biological faculties in Poland. The staff is made up of dedicated science enthusiasts and outstanding researchers with doctoral, postdoctoral or professorial degrees.

In addition, the Department is supported by visiting professors from abroad who share their wealth of knowledge and experience. Many alumni and academics have carried out or continue to carry out research that is important to people and are involved in community activities, including environmental protection. Students work with a friendly, committed and open-minded teaching staff that supports the development of passions and grassroots initiatives, nurtures all-round development and involves them in research and scientific activities.

Educational offerings and career prospects

Through research in various fields of biological sciences, students have the opportunity to broadly develop their interests. Studying at BSE allows students to realize their passions in nature and science, combined with interesting employment prospects in various sectors of the economy, which will allow for dynamic career development. Studying at BSE is also a chance to realize passionate research expeditions, including to the Antarctic region, South America or Asia. We also support the activity of students in the self-government and more than a dozen scientific circles.

The majors offered are in line with current national and global challenges and respond to the needs of modern science and the economy.

We educate in 7 majors in the full-time and part-time system on:

• Bachelor’s degree programs (undergraduate, engineering),
• Second-degree (master’s) studies.

Degree programs offered

Biology

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of life – from genes to entire ecosystems. Biology is a major for curious people who want to understand how nature functions at every level of the organization of life. Field classes, laboratory experiments and the latest technologies are our daily routine. After graduation, you can work in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic, chemical, agri-food processing and plant and animal breeding centers, in research and scientific institutions, in the field of education, science popularization, nature conservation or sustainable development.

Biotechnology

This is where science meets technology. If you dream of working in drug development, bioengineering or environmental innovation, this is the direction for you. You will gain knowledge that changes the world. After graduation you can work in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, in research and production laboratories, in the field of environmental and medical biotechnology or in high-tech companies and R&D departments.

Microbiology

Small organisms – big possibilities! Microbiology uncovers the secrets of bacteria, viruses and fungi, and you will learn to use them in health care, industry and the environment. After completing this course, you can work in medical and diagnostic laboratories, in the food and biotechnology industry, in sanitary and veterinary inspection, but you can also conduct research on modern therapies.

Forensic biology

If you want to combine your passion for biology with learning the basics of forensic science, this is the course for you. You will learn how to detect micro traces and analyze DNA, learn the secrets of toxicology and forensic chemistry. After graduation, you can work in forensic laboratories, forensic and analytical institutes, in the police, border guards, customs, as well as work with the judiciary.

Environmental protection

Do you care about the planet and want to make a real difference in the quality of people’s lives, the state of nature and the environment? This is a multidisciplinary study, for those who want to act. After this major, you can work in environmental administration and inspection, consulting and auditing firms, environmental organizations and foundations, and in conservation project offices.

EcoCity

Cities of the future need specialists who can combine biological knowledge with urban and social planning. If you want to create modern, green and friendly places to live, this is the direction for you. This study is conducted by the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection and the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Łódź. After graduating from this major, you can work in urban strategy offices, local government institutions and offices, non-governmental organizations or provide ecological and environmental consulting.

Digital biology and biomedicine

This is a new field of study that launches in the coming academic year. It is aimed at people who want to combine life sciences with programming, technology, artificial intelligence and data analysis. It’s a study that will prepare you to create cutting-edge solutions for medicine and public health. After them, you can take up a job in pharmaceutical and technology companies, modern health care facilities, biomedical and research laboratories, as well as units operating at the interface of biology and IT.

Modern teaching, research and scientific facilities

The faculty has modern research laboratories, and classes as early as at the undergraduate level are held in laboratories equipped with high-end apparatus, under the guidance of university teachers. We are making efforts to significantly individualize educational paths, including by involving students in the implementation of numerous research projects.

The lecture halls and multimedia equipment at the disposal of students and staff are constantly being upgraded. The Department also has additional research units: Center for Digital Biology and Biomedical Sciences – Biobank Łódź®and Center for Prevention of Biological Hazards. Also associated with the Faculty is the Nature and Education Center of the Natural History Museum of the University of Lodz, to which students and employees have free admission.
We also have a Field Station in Tresta Rządowa and a Field Nature Station in Spala, where field classes and scientific research are conducted.

Scientific activities

The Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection is currently conducting multidirectional scientific research work in Poland and in cooperation with foreign institutions, contributing to the development of science in various areas. Cooperation with foreign centers results in impressive educational results achieved by students of every degree, including:

• Co-authored a high number of publications in reputable foreign journals;
• Raising funds to finance research projects;
• Implementation of diploma theses in cooperation with foreign centers and the socio-economic environment;
• winning prestigious awards by the Department’s students and doctoral students in external competitions.

We also organize open dean’s lectures, to which we invite the most prominent representatives of life sciences. We take care of the popularization of scientific knowledge in society through various local and national initiatives, including the Night of Biologists, the Always Open University or the Institute of Creative Biology, which are implemented with passion and commitment by our lecturers, doctoral students and faculty.

Cooperation with foreign countries and scientific scholarships

Many international research grants and projects are carried out at the Department. We cooperate with scientists and universities from Europe, North America, South America and Asia.

We are pleased to be able to open the way for our students and employees to develop their careers both at home and abroad, including through scholarship trips under the Erasmus+ program (to 33 partner countries). During the trips, students have the chance to study in an international environment, learn about modern research methods and laboratories, improve their language skills or make foreign friends.

Our Department has also received interest from foreign students over the years, which encourages the exchange of knowledge, broadening of horizons and establishment of interesting collaborations.

Cooperation with the economic environment

Our staff takes care to establish cooperation with business representatives, so that it is possible to get to know potential employers and build positive relations with them at the early stages of studies. The Faculty also has a thriving Business Council, which brings together representatives of science and business. Its purpose is to promote cooperation in innovation, research, education, and commercialization and dissemination of results. The Council enables the exchange of experience, the implementation of joint projects and the involvement of companies and institutions in the education of students through internships, apprenticeships and workshops.

Formal information

The Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Lodz is one of the largest biological faculties in Poland. It conducts research in all disciplines in the biological sciences. It is a unit with a recognized scientific reputation at home and abroad. It has the greatest scientific potential among similar units in Poland and has a scientific category A (denoting a very good level of scientific activity).

We are authorized to confer degrees (doctoral and postdoctoral degrees) in the fields of science and life sciences in the discipline of biological sciences. We also carry out nostrification of doctoral degrees in the field of science and life sciences in the discipline of biological sciences, as well as of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the fields of study included in the discipline of biological sciences, including biology, microbiology, biotechnology and environmental protection.

source: materials of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Łódź

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