Study Programmes in English

English Language and Literature

Degree Programme: Philology

Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Degree: Bachelor

Duration: 3 years

Form of Study: Full-time

Description:

The single-major Bachelor's degree “English Language and Literature” is designed to interconnect the theoretical component with the practical application of knowledge and skills; the aim is to equip graduates with an advanced level of language competence (CEFR level C1 – “proficient user”) and to ensure that they are able to work independently on tasks in the English language on the basis of the knowledge and skills acquired through their studies.

The block of compulsory courses is designed to develop students' integrated and balanced linguistic competence and expertise in all key areas of English studies: improving students' English language communicative competence, offering them insight into the structure and systems of the English language, and developing a solid knowledge of the literatures and cultures of English-speaking countries.

In all the above-mentioned areas students are encouraged not only to acquire new knowledge, but primarily to analyze and creatively apply this knowledge. The block of semi-optional courses (i.e. a set of courses from which students can choose in order to make up a required number of credits) enables students to enhance their competence by acquiring specific knowledge of linguistic and cultural aspects of the field. The broad range of competencies, combined with the opportunity for students to develop and expand on specific areas of knowledge and skill sets, increase graduates' flexibility on the labour market.

Completion of the Bachelor's degree enables students to pursue two possible paths: to continue their studies in the “English Language and Literature” Master's degree, or to enter the labour market directly.

Graduate Profile and Career Opportunities:

Graduates are proficient users of the English language (CEFR – level C1) in both spoken and written communication. Graduates are proficient in all aspects of modern English – pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and stylistics; they are able to engage in intercultural communication within various genres depending on the situational context. Graduates are aware of the history and development of modern British and American literature; they possess a good knowledge of the cultures of English-speaking countries, primarily the culture of the United Kingdom and the United States. Depending on their choice of special seminars, graduates may also be proficient in business correspondence or the terminology used in the tourist industry. Graduates are able to work with contemporary sources of new information and knowledge, using them effectively in practical applications and/or further education.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 180 ECTS

English Language and Literature

Degree Programme: Philology

Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Degree: Master

Duration: 2 years

Form of Study: Full-time

Description:

The structure, content and extent of the Follow-up Master's degree “English Language and Literature” follows on directly from the English-language version of the three-year Bachelor's degree “English Language and Literature.”

The Follow-up Master's degree “English Language and Literature” is a philological programme, which requires candidates to possess an advanced level of language competence (CEFR level C1 – “proficient user”), a very good knowledge of the grammatical and lexical systems of modern English, an awareness of the characteristic features of functional styles, a basic awareness of the literature of English-speaking countries, and a general knowledge of these countries' culture and history.

This knowledge and these skills are further developed and enhanced in the Follow-up Master's degree. In linguistics, students' knowledge of the modern English language is complemented by a knowledge of historical grammar and diachronic language change; there is an extensive focus on higher levels of language and features of linguistic communication (text linguistics, linguistic pragmatics, sociolinguistics); and there is also an emphasis on a contrastive approach (linguistic interference). In literature, students acquire a deeper knowledge primarily of modern British and American literature, while also broadening their horizons to encompass literary criticism.

Graduate Profile and Career Opportunities:

The aim of the degree is to ensure that graduates attain an expert level of philological knowledge and are experienced, independent users of the English language (CEFR level C2), with a solid knowledge of English linguistics and of the literatures and cultures of English-speaking countries; this knowledge and these skills can be applied by graduates in a wide range of professions requiring independent intellectual work and expertise in the above-mentioned areas.

Graduates are highly competent users of the English language in both written and spoken forms, applying their language skills in formal and informal situations of various types. Graduates are able to independently and creatively apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in carrying out expert tasks, intellectual work and research; they are also able to systematically develop their skills and knowledge depending on practical requirements. Besides working professionally with language and texts of various types, graduates also possess a high degree of cultural erudition, which can be effectively applied in intercultural communication and international cooperation.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 120 ECTS

General Medicine

Degree Programme: Medicine

Faculty: Faculty of Medicine

Degree: Master

Duration: 6 years

Form of Study: Full-time

Description:

In the first two years the curriculum principally covers theoretical courses (Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, Anatomy, Histology, Physiology etc.). The third year of studies comprises preclinical courses (Pathophysiology, Pathology) and prepares students for the study of clinical courses (Surgery, Internal Medicine). In the fourth and fifth years, students undertake internships at individual clinics and departments. The last year of studies is devoted to pre-graduation practical training, during which students work at clinics and departments under the supervision of experienced doctors. In the course of their studies, students also complete nine weeks of practical training (during vacation periods) during which they gradually acquaint themselves with the operation of health care facilities and practical procedures. The studies are completed with state examinations in five subjects. The entire programme (except for the Czech language courses and practical training) is conducted in English.

Graduate Profile and Career Opportunities:

This field of Master studies is completed with the Czech equivalent of an MD degree (MUDr. – Medicinae Universae Doctor) which is widely recognized in the European Union. Graduates work as doctors in state as well as private medical facilities.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 360 ECTS

English Language

Degree Programme: Philology

Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 3 years

Form of Study: Full-time and Part-time

Description:

The English-language version of the degree subject “English Language” is aimed primarily at international students whose knowledge of Czech is insufficient to enable them to study in the Czech-language version. All the courses offered as part of the degree are taught in English, and communication with students (both at the department and faculty level) will likewise be in English.

Aims of the programme:

• to train highly qualified linguistic experts who will be able to deal independently with methodological and practical issues in synchronic and diachronic linguistics,
• to improve the current structure of research/teaching teams at the University and to offer existing teachers the opportunity to acquire additional qualifications.

Admissions procedures:

The conditions given below are stipulated by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ostrava in accordance with Section 49, Subsections 1–5, Act no. 111/1998 Sb. on higher education institutions, as subsequently amended.

The application form (in electronic form; the submission deadline is generally on 31 August of each year) must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

• the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
• a document showing the applicant’s citizenship
• a certified copy of a document showing that the applicant is the holder of a university degree at Master’s level (Mgr. / M.A. or equivalent)
• an overview of the applicant’s research activities to date (e.g. publications, study visits, courses, conferences, etc.)
• a research statement, i.e. a plan outlining the intended topic and structure of the applicant’s dissertation (in English)
• a reference from a member of the teaching/research community

The admissions procedure involves an interview (in English). Applicants must explain their choice of topic for their planned dissertation, showing a good knowledge of the relevant linguistic literature on the topic in question; the dissertation may focus on topics related to professional language and professional discourse. The Department may propose topics for dissertations that pursue tailor-made research to doctoral level in any of the research areas that the Department is engaged in and has expertise in. Candidates may propose their own topics that cover research within the department.

It is also expected that the applicant will be capable of demonstrating an excellent level of knowledge when responding to various questions on linguistic disciplines that traditionally form part of philological curricula at university English linguistics departments. All applicants are also required to undergo the test of language competence demonstrating a minimum C1 skill level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The criteria will be clearly stated in the Postgraduate Admissions Statement together with clear guidance on what is required, any deadlines and how work will be assessed. The University does not consider performance in Master's-level studies, or similar qualifications, in the admissions process.

The interview is conducted in person; it cannot be conducted by correspondence or electronic communication. The date of the interview (usually in September) is announced by the Dean of the Faculty on the recommendation of the Chair of the Doctoral Programme Committee.

Structure of studies:

Doctoral studies are based on an individual curriculum drafted by the student after consultation with an appointed supervisor. This draft curriculum is then approved by the Doctoral Programme Committee and its Chair. The supervisor monitors progress on the curriculum on a regular basis, and reports on progress if so requested by the Chair of the Doctoral Programme Committee.

The maximum length of studies is 5 years; during this period, the candidate must pass examinations in compulsory subjects, gain course credits from compulsory-optional subjects (chosen by the candidate from the subjects on offer), pass the State Doctoral Examination and defend his/her dissertation.

A compulsory component of the doctoral degree programme is the candidate’s participation in teaching (in full-time form) and research activities at the Department, participation in selected conferences, publication of articles (e.g. presenting interim research results), and at least one study visit to a partner university abroad (one semester).

Overview of courses:

Compulsory subjects (terminated by examinations):

• History of Linguistics,
• Language for Non-Native Speakers (choice from German, French, Spanish, Russian, Czech as a Foreign Language),
• English from the Historical and Sociolinguistic Perspective,
• Czech/Slovak English Studies and the Prague School.

Compulsory-optional subjects (terminated by course credits):

• Functional Sentence Perspective,
• Linguistic Characteristics of English,
• Pragmatics and Text Linguistics,
• Selected Chapters from English Stylistics,
• Selected Chapters from Idiomatology.

Optional subjects:

• Language Planning and Educational Linguistics,
• Basics of Gothic,
• Semiotics of Language and Culture.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 120 ECTS

Analytical Chemistry of Heterogeneous Systems

Degree Programme: Analytical Chemistry

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Language of Instruction: English

Applied Mathematics and Fuzzy Modelling

Degree Programme: Applied Mathematics

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Form of Study: Full-time and Part-distance

Description:

PhD students in Applied Mathematics and Fuzzy Modelling then choose one of the following specializations:

1. Differential equations: geometric, variational, and optimization methods
2. Analytical number theory
3. Fuzzy modelling

Ad 1) The study in the specialization “Differential Equations: Geometric, Variational, and Optimization Methods” of the PhD study field Applied Mathematics and Fuzzy Modelling focuses on one of the following areas:

• global variational analysis,
• differential equations on manifolds,
• differential invariants and natural Lagrange structures,
• optimization in abstract and infinite-dimensional spaces,
• stochastic-heuristic algorithms in global optimization.

The study in this specialization also pursues applications, namely:

• applications in physics and engineering (variational principles, dynamical control and optimization, non-holonomic mechanics and field theory,
• real-life, everyday operational problems in business, industry, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, etc. The solution involves a mathematical formulation of the problem, (finding a suitable method for its solution), acquiring real data, and solving the problem with a practical recommendation based on the computed solution.

The focus of the student is supported by electing at least two compulsory elective subjects of this specialization, where the student acquires deep theoretical knowledge of mathematical theories and methods (topology, differential geometry, global analysis, geometric mechanics, variational equations, stochastic algorithms) of the given areas, and the ability to use the modern methods and means of mathematics to solve real problems.

Ad 2) The study in the specialization “Analytical Methods in Number Theory” of the PhD study field Applied Mathematics and Fuzzy Modelling focuses on one of the following areas:

• Irrationality of infinite series
• Diophantine approximations
• Densities and measures of sets of positive integers or real numbers
• Characteristics of distribution of number sets and sequences

The study in this specialization is mostly theoretical, nevertheless it involves also applications, namely:

• applications of uniformly distributed sequences,
• construction of low discrepancy sequences and their applications,
• Monte Carlo and Quasi Monte-Carlo methods in mathematics, physics, economics.

The focus of the student is supported by electing at least two compulsory elective subjects of this specialization:

• Diophantine approximations
• Uniformly distributed sequences
• Prime number theory
• Monte Carlo and Quasi-Monte Carlo Methods and their applications
• Selected topics in Number Theory

The students will acquire deep theoretical knowledge of mathematical theories and methods of the given areas, and the ability to use the modern methods and means of mathematics to solve real problems. They will be prepared for their scientific research work as well as for further pedagogical work.

Ad 3) The study in the specialization “Fuzzy Modelling” of the PhD study field Applied Mathematics and Fuzzy Modelling focuses on one of the following areas:

• Algebraic structures of truth-values (residuated lattices, MTL-, BL-, MV-algebras, etc.).
• Fuzzy logics.
• Fuzzy modelling.
• Time series analysis.
• Data analysis.
• Nature-inspired methods (evolutionary algorithms, swarm intelligence, etc.),

A substantial part of the study is devoted to practical development of the methods mentioned above and their applications, especially in the following fields of activities:

• Data processing (data mining, time series analysis and forecasting, image processing, etc.).
• Control and decision making based on expert knowledge.
• Artificial intelligence and common sense reasoning.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 120 ECTS

Biophysics

Degree Programme: Applied Physics

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Language of Instruction: English

Biology

Degree Programme: Biology

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Language of Instruction: English

Environmental Geography

Degree Programme: Geography

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Language of Instruction: English

Political Geography

Degree Programme: Geography

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Form of Study: Full-time and Part-distance

Description:

Efforts to link local and regional development within the context of global development and world geo-politics, geo-economics and geo-culture led a group of political geographers to search for collaboration with experts in the field of political science and international relations thus creating an interdisciplinary field of study entitled Political and cultural geography, the only one of its kind linking study of selected geographic disciplines with political science, which includes inter alia selected chapters from the world history and fundamentals of sociology.

In this field, you can combine a keen interest in geography with studies of international relations, political science, anthropology, sociology and history. The study will provide you with broad understanding of the political and cultural realities of world macro-regions, as well as with a comprehensive knowledge of the current functioning of the globalized world that can be applied in diplomacy, journalism, or in various organizations focused on consulting, working with immigrants and refugees, humanitarian activities, etc. You can apply for the studies in Political and Cultural Geography at theBachelor's, Master's and doctoral level.

The political and cultural geography research interest specializes in international relations, political and economic geography, geopolitics, applied sociology, sociology of ethnicity and nationalism, ethnic minorities, cultural geography, historical geography and regional studies.

Graduate Profile and Career Opportunities:

The Department offers an attractive study for those interested in future involvement in cultivation of their own community, municipality, region or the state. It is intended for those who would like to apply for jobs in the prestigious European structures or institutions in addressing global issues of our planet, as well as the complexities of international relations, including diplomacy.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 120 ECTS

Social Work

Degree Programme: Social Policy and Social Work

Faculty: Faculty of Social Studies

Degree: Doctoral

Duration: 4 years

Form of Study: Full-time and Part-distance

Description:

At present, scientific preparation in the degree programme of Social Work is only offered at two universities in the Czech Republic: at the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University in Brno and at the Faculty of Social Studies of the University of Ostrava. The study programme focuses on the preparation of graduates who are capable of scientific investigation in Social Work. The aim of the study is to cultivate knowledge in doctoral degree students that is highly professionally specialised and at the same time usable in the various contexts of theoretical investigation as well as in applied research.

Graduate Profile and Career Opportunities:

A graduate

• has extensive knowledge of issues falling within the scope of the field of study that is underpinned by the mastery of the latest professional literature both in domestic and international context;
• has knowledge of scientific methodology and the basic principles used in the sciences of man and society, or as the case may be, knowledge of research approaches, strategies, methods and techniques in social science research;
• has knowledge of the theories and methods which may be applied in the area of Social Work.

The graduate’s knowledge is interdisciplinary in nature – and contains knowledge from the area of social work theories and methods and furthermore sociology and social policies.

Language of Instruction: English

Minimum Credit Requirements: 120 ECTS