Institution body for approving the study programme:

Board for Internal Quality Verification at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University

Date of the latest change in the study programme description:

05.02.2025

1. - Basic information about the study programme

a) - Name of the study program and its number according to the register of study programmes.

Zoology and Animal Physiology - 12262

b) - Degree of higher education and ISCED-F education degree code.

doctoral degree

c) - Place(s) of delivery of the study programme.

Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice

d) - Name and number of the field of study in which higher education is obtained by completing the study programme, or a combination of two fields of study in which higher education is obtained by completing the study programme, ISCED-F codes of the field/fields.

Biology - 0511

e) - Type of the study programme: academically oriented, professionally oriented; translation, translation combination study programme (listing the specializations); teaching, teaching combination study programme (listing the specializations); artistic, engineering, doctoral, preparation for regulated profession, joint study programme, interdisciplinary studies.

academically oriented

f) - Awarded academic degree after the name

PhD.

g) - Form of study.

Full-Time

h) - In the case of joint study programmes, cooperating institutions and the range of study obligations the student fulfills at each of the given institutions (§ 54a of the Act on Higher Education Institutions).

n/a

i) - Language or languages in which the study programme is delivered.

Slovak, English

j) - Standard length of the study expressed in academic years.

four years

k) - Capacity of the study programme (planned number of students), the actual number of applicants and students.

Planned number of students: 20, actual number of applicants: 4, actual number of all doctoral students: 18

2. - Graduate profile and learning objectives

a) - The institution defines the learning objectives of the study programme such as student's abilities at the time of completion of the programme and the main learning outcomes.

The objectives of education are achieved in the study programme through measurable educational outputs in individual parts (modules, subjects) of the study programme. They correspond to the appropriate level of the Qualifications Framework in the European Higher Education Area.

b) - The institution indicates the professions for which the graduate is prepared at the time of completion and the potential of the study programme from the point of view of graduate's employability.

ISCO-08 https://www.kvalifikacie.sk/sites/nsk/files/employers/sk_isco-08_0.pdf

2131001 Biologist

2131003 Physiologist

2131006 Zoologist

2131004 Immunologist

2310003 Lecturer of Higher Education Institution

2310004 Assistant professor of Higher Education Institution

2310005 Lector of Higher Education Institution

2133003 Nature Conservation Specialist

2133999 Environmental Protection Specialist (excluding industrial ecology) not elsewhere specified

c) - Relevant external stakeholders who have provided the statement or a favorable opinion on the compliance of the acquired qualification with the sector-specific requirements for the profession.

Centre of Biosciences SAS, Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice

Biomedical Research Center SAS, Institute of Neurobiology, Košice

3. - Employability

a) - Evaluation of the study programme graduates employability.

Knowledge

The graduate of the doctoral study program Zoology and Animal Physiology has extensive expertise in several areas of the field of study, which he uses as a basis for carrying out research and development in the field. It aims to acquire the latest theoretical and practical knowledge, based on the current state of scientific knowledge. The graduate is able to independently work scientifically, critically evaluate his/her own results and confront them with data in the world and professional literature.

Skills

He/she is able to transfer the methods and results of global research to its own work and apply them in the development of the field of science. With the results of creative experimental work, he/she contributes not only to the development of science and scientific knowledge, but their proper scientific value also allows their application in agriculture, forestry, medicine, pharmacology and in the protection of gene pools of animals and man himself. He/she is methodically prepared for the systematic study and performance of scientific experiments, observations and analyses in order to bring his own solutions to problems, taking into account at the same time the latest results of related disciplines (molecular genetics, genomics, cytology, etc.). He/she has practical experience in field research, collection and storage of biological samples. Well speaks at least one world language (especially English) in which he can communicate in writing and orally (including writing publications). He has sufficient erudition and experience in working with computer technology in obtaining the latest information from electronic databases and electronic journals, as well as in statistical processing of experimental data and graphical processing of the results of experiments.

Competences

The graduate is characterized by independent, critical and analytical thinking. It takes into account social, scientific and ethical aspects when formulating research intentions and interpreting research results. He/she can set the focus of biological research and coordinate the team in this broad field of study.

b) - If applicable, indicate the successful graduates of the study programme.

RNDr. Diana Kukeľová, PhD. – University of Zürich, Švajčiarsko (26) Diana Kúkeľová | LinkedIn

RNDr. Petra Hradická, PhD. – University of Oslo, Nórsko (26) Petra Hradicka | LinkedIn

RNDr. Katarína Venglovská, PhD. – R&D Manager, Omega Algae, Island (27) Katarína Venglovská | LinkedIn

RNDr. Žofia Janštová, PhD. – Biotalentum Kft., Gödöllő, Maďarsko (26) Žofia Janštová, RNDr. PhD. | LinkedIn

RNDr. Peter Čuchta, PhD. – Institute of Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Biology Centre CAS CR, České Budějovice (26) Peter Čuchta | LinkedIn

RNDr. Martina Kšiňanová, PhD. – Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics CBS SAS, Bratislava (26) Martina Kšiňanová | LinkedIn

RNDr. Petra Schusterová, PhD. – University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice https://www.uvlf.sk/kontakty/katedry/katedra-mikrobiologie-a-imunologie

RNDr. Timea Brázová, PhD. – Institute of Parasitology SAS, Košice https://pau.saske.sk/staff-list/brazova/

RNDr. Veronika Kovaŕíková, PhD. – Institute of Animal Physiology CBS SAS, Košice Veronika Kovarikova (researchgate.net)

PhDr. Jozef Pisko, PhD. – Institute of Animal Physiology CBS SAS, Košice Ústav fyziológie hospodárskych zvierat CBV SAV

RNDr. Mária Bačová,PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice Maria Bacova (researchgate.net)

RNDr. Katarína Bimbová, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice Katarína Kiss Bimbová researchgate.net)

RNDr. Juraj Blaško, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice Juraj Blasko (researchgate.net)

RNDr. Petra Bonová, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice (26) Petra Kravcukova Bonova | LinkedIn

RNDr. Kamila Fabianová, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice Kamila Fabianova (researchgate.net)

RNDr. Jana Fedorová, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice Jana Fedorova (researchgate.net)

RNDr. Jana Jachová, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice SAV - Jana Jachová

RNDr. Monika Závodská, PhD. – Institute of Neurobiology BMC SAS, Košice (26) Monika Závodská Žideková | LinkedIn

RNDr. Ján Burkuš, PhD. – application developer, T-Systems, Košice (26) Ján Burkuš | LinkedIn

c) - Evaluation of the study programme quality by employers (feedback).

The opinion of the employers' representatives is part of the Minutes of the meeting of the Study Program Board.

4. - Structure and content of the study programme

a) - The institution describes the rules for the design of study plans within the study programme.

The rules for the formation of study plans are governed by the provisions of the Study Rules of The UPJŠ Doctoral Study UPJŠ in Košice https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/studium/d-studium/, which defines the workload of the student, evaluation, control stages of study, method of graduation and other particulars. Responsibility for the content of the study and for the correct conduct of quality evaluation is defined by Rector's Decision No. 7/2021 (UPJŠ Accreditation Rules), available at https://intranet.upjs.sk/out/out.ViewDocument.php?documentid=4252&showtree=1 and Decision of the Rector No. 8/2021 (Rules of the internal system of ensuring and verifying the quality of education, scientific, research, development, artistic or other creative and supportive activities at UPJŠ), available at: https://intranet.upjs.sk/out/out.ViewDocument.php?documentid=4253&showtree=1.

European recommendations for the creation of teacher study programmes from 2018 were taken into account in the design of the submitted study programme and study plan.

b) - The institution compiles the recommended study plans for individual study paths.

All relevant information on subjects such as educational outputs and related criteria and rules for their evaluation, requisitions, corrections and recommendations in the development of the curriculum, educational activities and methods of education activities, syllabuses, scope and teachers are included in the fact sheets of subjects available in electronic form in the academic information system AiS2, see http://studijne-programy.upjs.sk/study-program/.

c) - The study plan generally states:

All data and information are provided in the study plan, which is generated from AIS2 and is also part of the submitted documentation, see http://studijne-programy.upjs.sk/study-program.

d) - The institution states the number of credits, the achievement of which is a condition for proper completion of studies and other requirements that the student must meet within the study programme and for its proper completion, including the requirements for state examinations, rules for re-study and rules for the extension, interruption of study.

The rules for proper graduation at UPJŠ, the control stages of study and the rules for re-study, extension of study or interruption of study are set out in the Study Rules of the Doctoral Studies at UPJŠ https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/studium/d-studium/. The Study Rules also regulate the organization of state examinations. Specific conditions for passing the state exams for this study programme are available in the study plan.

e) - For individual study plans, the institution states the requirements for completing the individual parts of the study programme and the student's progress within the study programme in the given structure:

Minimum number of credits for the study part for proper completion of the study: 60

Minimum number of credits for the scientific part for regular completion of studies: 120

Number of credits for the dissertation examination for regular completion of studies: 20

Number of credits for the final thesis and the thesis defence: 30

The condition for successful completion of the study programme and admission to the dissertation defence is:

1 first-authored and 1 co-authored publication in journals indexed in the WoS database,
or 1 first-authored publication in WoS in a journal in the first quartile according to SCIMAGO.

f) - The institution describes the rules for verification of learning outcomes, students assessment and the possibilities of appealing against the assessment.

Verification of the modalities and objectivity of awarding evaluations to students is governed by the Principles for Quality Verification of Higher Education at the UPJŠ https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.Public.php?documentid=4253. The examination of complaints by the student is governed by the Act on Quality Assurance of Higher Education, the Act on Complaints, the Decision of the Rector on the handling of Complaints and the Study Code of the Doctoral Studies. Further information is publicly available at: https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#4.

g) - Conditions for recognition of studies or a part of studies.

The rules for the recognition of studies or its parts are regulated by the Study Regulations of Doctoral Studies at UPJŠ https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/studium/d-studium/.

Further information is publicly available at: https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/.

h) - The institution states the topics of final theses of the study programme (or a link to the list).

MVDr. Vladimír Baran, CSc. (Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Science; IAPh SAS)

The role of selected protein kinases in controlling the cell cycle of the blastomer preimplantation

embryo.

RNDr. Petra Bonová, PhD (Institute of Neurobiology, Slovak Academy of Science; IN SAS)

Protection mechanisms in ischaemic tolerance.

RNDr. Štefan Čikoš, CSc. (Institute of the Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Science; IAPh SAS)

Influence of environmental factors on preimplantation development and characteristics of embryonic

cells.

MVDr. Dáša Čížková, DrSc. (University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice)

1. Analysis of stem cells and organotypic cultures suitable for neurotrauma modelling under in vitro

conditions.

2. Study of new therapeutic technologies in the influence of neurodegenerative processes of model spinal

cord injury in a rat: pharmacotherapy, hypothermia.

3. Monitoring of the neuroprotective effect of trophic factors after a rat spinal cord injury targeting stem

cells and biomaterials.

RNDr. Klaudia Čobanová, PhD. (IAPh SAS)

Sources of manganese in nutrition food animals and consumer safety.

MVDr. Viera Danielisová, PhD. (IN SAS)

Possibility of using endogenous mechanisms in ischaemic damage to the nervous system.

MVDr. Dušan Fabian, DrSc. (IAPh SAS)

1. Reparation mechanisms in the early stages of embryonic development.

2. Impaired fertility and preimplantation development of the embryo in obesity.

3. Mechanisms of the impact of changes in the body condition of the mother on the development of the

embryo.

4.Molecular mechanisms for regulating the development of the preimplane embryo.

RNDr. Ján Gálik, PhD. (IN SAS)

1. Study of the possibility of trauma therapy of the damaged spinal cord by mobilising the internal

mechanisms of nerve tissue regeneration.

2. Application of electrophysiological methods in case of CNS damage.

Doc. RNDr.Monika Kassayová, CSc. (Faculty of Science, P.J.Šafárik University in Košice; PF UPJŠ)

1. Study of immunomodulatory and antitumor potential of bacteria of the genus Lactobacilus in the

prophylaxis of colorectal cancer

2. Resveratrol in the combined chemoprevention of experimental mammary carcinogenicesis.

Doc. MVDr. Juraj Koppel, DrSc (IAPh SAS)

Impact of maternal homeostasis disorders on the development of a preimplant embryo.

Prof. RNDr. Ľubomír Kováč, CSc. (PF UPJŠ)

The impact of natural disturbances on invertebrate communities on the calamity areas of spruce forest in the High Tatras with regard to springtails (Collembola, Hexapoda) and ecophysiology of selected representatives.

RNDr. Nadežda Lukáčová, DrSc. (IN SAS)

1.Result of traumatic spinal cord damage for changes in protein expression and development of

spasticity.

2. Study of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative mechanisms in the rat's spinal cord after compre-

ssion.

3. NO-cGMP-signalling in the rat's bulbospinal respiratory pathway after damage to the cervical spinal

cord.

4. Testing of therapeutic approaches after experimentally induced spinal cord therapy

RNDr. Igor Majláth, PhD. (PF UPJŠ)

Behavior in lizards (Lacertidae) infected with vector-borne pathogens.

RNDr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD. (PF UPJŠ)

RNDr. Marcela Martončíková, PhD. (IN SAS)

The role of blood vessels in postnatal neurogenesis of rats under normal and pathological conditions.

RNDr. Rastislav Mucha, PhD. (IN SAS)

Doc. RNDr. Ľubomír Panigaj, CSc. (PF UPJŠ)

Color preference as an ecophysiological characteristic of selected groups of nectarophilic insects.

RNDr. Jaroslav Pavel, PhD. (IN SAS)

1. Role of angiotensin II in modulating the transmission of sensory signals.

2. Specification of the model of trumatic spinal cord damage in rat

3. Effect of local spinal cord injury on expression of angiotensin receptors

RNDr. Enikő Račeková, PhD (IN SAS)

1. The legality of neurogenesis in the CNS in the postnatal period.

2. Effect of external factors on postnatal neurogenesis in the olfactory system of the rat.

Prof. RNDr. Beňadik Šmajda, CSc. (PF UPJŠ)

1. Risk markers in the paediatric population with regard to obesity.

2. Ionizing radiation and the brain: effects of radiation on neurogenesis and its use in induction of

ischaemic tolerance.

3. The behavioural and neuronal effects of chronic social stress on reward processes in mice

4. Selected ethological manifestations of the swamp turtle (E. orbicularis) in natural conditions.

5. Changes in rat behaviour following irradiation with ionising radiation in adulthood and during

the intrauterine development.

6. Selected ethological manifestations of green lizard (L. viridis) in the natural environment of the Slovak

Karst

7. Effects of low doses of ionizing radiation on the behaviour and neurogenesis in the brains of adult

rats irradiated in the early stages of embryonic development.

MVDr. Ivo Vanický, CSc. (IN SAS)

1. Effect of secondary damage following experimental spinal cord damage in a rat and preparation of

primary Schwann cell cultures in vitro for autotransplantations.

2. Secondary tissue damage after

spinal cord injury, participation of complement and influence of post-traumatic processes in the

experiment.

i) - The institution describes or refers to:

The rules for entering, processing, opposing, defending and evaluating the final works in the study programme are set out in the Study Rules for Doctoral Studies https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/studium/d-studium/ and in the Principles for Verifying the Quality of Higher Education at UPJŠ in Košice (https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.Public.php?documentid=4253 ). Foreign mobility of students and employees is an essential area of the university's international activities. All information is available at: https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/cinnost/medzinarodne-vztahy as well as on the https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#3.

The principles for verifying the quality of higher education at UPJŠ declare compliance with the general principles and rules of ethical conduct - UPJŠ Code of Ethics (https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.ViewOnline.php?documentid=12&version=1) and to the Code of Ethics of the Students at UPJŠ (https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.Public.php?documentid=5605), with close interconnection which the Principles of Good Practice of Scientific Publication (https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.ViewOnline.php?documentid=4200&version=1), Rules of plagiarism assessment procedure((https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.Public.php?documentid=5605), Principles of Good Research Practice at UPJŠ and Principles of Quality Verification of Higher Education at UPJŠ( https://intranet.upjs.sk/op/op.Public.php?documentid=4253).

UPJŠ further provides counselling:

psychological, social, legal, career,

technical support (special devices and tools),

IT consultancy - assistance and support in the use of IT resources,

advice on setting up AiS2 for visually impaired students,

PC settings for visually impaired students,

Library and rental services adapted for the special needs of students.

5. - Course information sheets of the study programme

In the structure according to Decree no. 614/2002 Coll.

Information sheets to courses of the study programme are available in the monitoring panel of the study programme in the Academic Information System AiS2, and available to the public in the Register of Study Programmes https://studijne-programy.upjs.sk/

6. - Current academic year plan and current schedule

(or hyperlink).

The university´s schedule of the academic year is available on the UPJŠ website in the student information section (https://www.upjs.sk/studium/) and in the section on meeting standards for the study programme (https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/).

The faculty's schedule of the academic year is available on the PF UPJŠ website in the section https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/studium/.

7. - Persons responsible for the study programme

a) - A person responsible for the delivery, development, and quality of the study programme (indicating the position and contact details).

Prof. RNDr. Ľubomír Kováč, CSc.

professor

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15331

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/lubomir.kovac/

e-mail: lubomir.kovac@upjs.sk

b) - List of persons responsible for the profile courses of the study programme with the assignment to the course and provided with a link to the central Register of university staff and with contact details (they may also be listed in the study plan).

Prof. RNDr. Ľubomír Kováč, CSc. /OZŠP/

full professor

Profiling subject: Biogeography

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15331

ID: 89755164658

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/lubomir.kovac/

Doc. RNDr. Marcel Uhrin, PhD. /OZPP/

full professor

Profiling subject: Mammalian Ecology

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/14853

ID: 95924626514

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/marcel.uhrin/

RNDr. Natália Raschmanová, PhD. /OZPP/

associate professor

Profiling subject: Biogeografia

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15298

ID: 12724371418

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/natalia.raschmanova/

RNDr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD. /OZPP/

associate professor

Profiling subject: Parasitology II

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/29233

ID: 16192530982

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/viktoria.majlathova/

RNDr. Vlasta Demečková, PhD. /OZPP/

associate professor

Profiling subject: Immunology

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/18575

ID: 62515197744

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/vlasta.demeckova/

The sustainability of the study programme in terms of the qualification and age structure of the persons in charge is guaranteed.

c) - Reference to the research/art/teacher profiles of persons responsible for the profile courses of the study programme.

Research/art/teacher profiles of persons of persons responsible for profile subjects are available in the monitoring panel of the study programme in the Academic Information System AiS2. Data from VÚPCH are also incorporated into the official personal pages of employees, which have a URL in the form: https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/meno.priezvisko/.

The list of current teachers and their VUPCH are also available from the public register of study programmes http://studijne-programy.upjs.sk/.

d) - List of teachers of the study programme with the assignment to the course and provided with a link to the central Register of university staff and with contact details (may be a part of the study plan).

Additional courses of the study programme are provided by the following teachers:

Doc. RNDr. Monika Kassayová, PhD.

Animal and Human Physiology (lectures)
Cell metabolism (lectures, exercises)
Endocrinology (lectures)

monika.kassayova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15338

Doc. RNDr. Martin Kundrát, PhD.

Developmental and molecular mechanisms in vertebrate evolution (lectures)

martin.kundrat@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/25887

RNDr.Igor Majláth, PhD.

1. Ecological ethology (lectures)

2. Selected chapters of herpetology (lectures, exercises)

igor.majlath@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/14844

RNDr. Juraj Ševc, PhD.

Neuroanatomy (lectures)

juraj.sevc@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15405

Doc. RNDr. Marcel Uhrin, PhD.

Urban Ecology (lectures, exercises)

marcel.uhrin@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/14853

Doc. RNDr. Bianka Bojková, PhD

Environmental Physiology (lectures)

bianka.bojkova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15393

RNDr. Vlasta Demečková, PhD.

Immunology (practicals)

vlasta.demeckova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/18575

PhDr. Helena Petruňová, CSc.

English professional language for doctoral students 1 (lectures)

helena.petrunova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15418

Doc. RNDr. Taťána Gondová, CSc.

Chromatographic separation methods (lectures,practicals)

tatana.gondova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15261

Mgr. Zuzana Kolaříková

Professional language for doctoral students 2 (seminars)

zuzana.kolarikova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/15420

Doc. Paedr. Renáta Orosová, PhD.

Pedagogy for university teachers (lectures, seminars)

Renata.orosova@upjs.sk https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/1538

PhDr. Anna Janovská, PhD.

Psychology for university teachers (lectures, seminars)

anna.janovska@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/6858

RNDr. Natália Pipová, PhD.

Chronophysiology (practicals)

natalia.pipova@upjs.sk

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/23347

e) - List of the supervisors of final theses with the assignment to topics (indicating the contact details).

MVDr. Vladimír Baran, CSc., UFHZ CBV SAV

baran@saske.sk

Role of selected protein-kinases in controlling the cell cycle blastomer preimplanting embryo.

RNDr. Petra Bonová, PhD., NbU BMC SAV

bonova@saske.sk

Protective mechanisms in ischemic tolerance.

RNDr.Štefan Čikoš,PhD., UFHZ CBV SAV

cikos@saske.sk

Effect of environmental factors on preimplantation development and characteristics of embryonic cells.

MVDr. Dáša Čížková, DrSc., UVLF Košice

cizkova@uvlf.sk

1. Analysis of stem cells and organo-typical cultures suitable for neurotrauma modelling under in vitro conditions.

2. Study of new therapeutic technologies in influencing neurodegenerative processes of model spinal cord injury in rats: pharmacotherapy, hypothermia.

3. Follow-up of the neuroprotective effect of trophic factors following a rat spinal cord injury targeting stem cells and biomaterials.

RNDr. Kladuia Čobanová, PhD., UFHZ CBV SAV

cobanova@saske.sk

Sources of manganese in food animal nutrition and consumer safety.

MVDr. Viera Danielisová, PhD., NbU MBC SAV

danielisova@saske.sk

Possibilities of using endogenous mechanisms in ischaemic damage to the nervous system.

MVDr. Dušan Fabian, DrSc., UFHZ CBV SAV

fabian@saske.sk

1. Reparation mechanisms in the early stages of embryonic development.

2. Impaired fertility and preimplantation development of the embryo in obesity.

3. Mechanisms of impact of changes in maternal fitness on embryo development 4. Molecular mechanisms for regulating the development of the pre-lubrication embryo.

RNDr. Ján Gálik, PhD., NbU MBC SAV

galik@saske.sk

1. Study of the possibility of trauma therapy of the damaged spinal cord by mobilising the internal mechanisms of nerve tissue regeneration.

2. Application of electrophysiological methods in case of CNS damage.

Doc. RNDr. Monika Kassayová, CSc., PF UPJŠ

monika.kassayova@upjs.sk

1. Study of the immunomodulatory and antitumor potential of bacteria of the genus Lactobacilus in prophylaxis of colorectal cancer.

2. Resveratrol in combined chemotherapy of experimental mammary carcinogenicesis.

Doc. MVDr. Juraj Koppel, DrSc., UFHZ CBV SAV

koppel@saske.sk

Effect of maternal homeostasis disorders on the development of the preimplant embryo.

Prof. RNDr. Ľubomír Kováč, CSc., PF UPJŠ

lubomir.kovac@upjs.sk

The impact of natural disturbances on the communities of invertebrates on the calamity areas of spruce forest in the High Tatras with regard to springtails (Collembola, Hexapoda) and on ecophysiology of selected representatives.

RNDr. Nadežda Lukáčová, DrSc., NbU BMC SAV

lukacova@saske.sk

1.Resulting in traumatic spinal cord damage for changes in protein expression and development of spasticity.

2. Study of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative mechanisms in the rat's spinal cord after compression.

3. NO-cGMP-signalling in rat's bulbospinal respiratory pathway after cervical spinal cord damage.

4. Testing therapeutic approaches after experimentally induced spinal cord therapy.

RNDr. Igor Majláth, PhD., PF UPJŠ

igor.majlath@upjs.sk

Behaviour of lizards (Lacertidae) infected with vector-borne pathogens.

RNDr. Marcela Martončíková, PhD., NbU BMC SAV

martoncikova@saske.sk

The role of blood vessels in postnatal neuro-genesis of rats under normal and pathological conditions.

Doc. RNDr. Ľubomír Panigaj, CSc., PF UPJŠ

lubomir.panigaj@upjs.sk

Color preference as an ecophysiological characteristic of selected groups of nectar-filth insects.

RNDr. Jaroslav Pavel, PhD., NbU BMC SAV

pavel@saske.sk

1. Role of angiotensin II in modulating the transmission of sensory signals.

2. Specification of the model of trumatic spinal cord damage in rat.

3. Effect of local spinal cord injury on angiotensin receptor expression.

RNDr. Enikő Račeková, PhD., NbU BMC SAV

racekova@saske.sk

1. The rules of neurogenesis in the CNS in the postnatal period.

2. Effect of external factors on postnatal neurogenesis in the olfactory system of the rat.

Prof. RNDr. Beňadik Šmajda, CSc., PF UPJŠ

benadik.smajda@upjs.sk

1.Risk markers in the paediatric population with regard to obesity.

2. Ionizing radiation and the brain: the effects of radiation on neurogenesis and its use in induction of ischaemic tolerance. 3. The behavioural and neuronal effects of chronic social stress on reward processes in mice.

4. Selected ethological manifestations of swamp turtle (E. orbicularis) under natural conditions.

5. Selected ethological manifestations of green lizard (L. viridis) in the natural environment of the Slovak Karst.

6. Effects of low doses of ionising radiation on sleep and neurogenesis in the brains of adult rats irradiated in the early stages of embryonic development.

7. Changes in the behaviour and reactivity of the immune system in rats after irradiated with ionising radiation in adulthood and during intrauterine development.

MVDr. Ivo Vanický, CSc., NbU BMC SAV

vanicky@saske.sk

1.Effect of secondary damage following experimental spinal cord damage in a rat and preparation of primary Schwann cell cultures in vitro for type autotrans-plantations.

2. Secondary tissue damage after spinal cord injury, participation of complement and influence of post-traumatic processes in the experiment.

f) - Reference to the research/art/teacher profiles of the supervisors of final theses.

Research/art/teacher (RAT) profiles of the supervisors of final theses are available in the monitoring panel of the study programme in the Academic Information System AiS2. Data from these profiles are incorporated into the official personal pages of employees, which have a URL in the form: https://www.upjs.sk/PF//zamestnanec/name.surname/.

The list of current teachers and their RAT profiles are available from the public register of study programmes http://studijne-programy.upjs.sk/study-program/.

g) - Student representatives representing the interests of students of the study programme (name and contact details).

Student representatives in the Study Programme Board:

Mgr. Veronika Petrovová

veronika.petrovova@student.upjs.sk

Mgr. Štefánia Skičková

stefania.skiskova@student.upjs.sk

h) - Study advisor of the study programme (indicating contact details and information on the access to counseling and on the schedule of consultations).

RNDr. Natália Pipová, PhD.

Department of Animal Physiology UBEV PF UPJŠ

Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice

natalia.pipova@upjs.sk

tel. 0552341220

https://www.upjs.sk/PF/zamestnanec/natalia.pipova/

i) - Other supporting staff of the study programme – assigned study officer, career counselor, administration, accommodation department, etc. (with contact details).

Another important support component is UNIPOC – University Advisory Centre. It is a specialized workplace of UPJŠ established by the Rector of UPJŠ with an all-universal scope. Unipoc's mission is to provide counselling, namely psychological, career, legal and social counselling and counselling in effective learning, to all students of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice free of charge. UNIPOC is also in charge of supporting and caring for students with specific needs. Students can enjoy counselling services in both personal and online form, in Slovak and English language. The aim of the services provided is to improve the applicability of students and graduates in the labour market, to act preventively and to assist with problems that could jeopardise the successful completion of our students' studies. More information can be found on unipoc https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/.

Students can learn more about the possibilities of applicability in the labour market during upjš Career Day (https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/den-kariery/) or on the UPJŠ My Careers website: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/aktuality/e-learning-moja-kariera/. The UPJŠ University Advisory Centre in Košice also provides support for students with specific needs: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/specialne-edukacne-potreby/.

UPJŠ in Košice also offers students accommodation (https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/studentske-domovy-jedalne/studentske-domovy/) and catering services (https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/studentske-domovy-jedalne/studentske-jedalne/) through the Student Homes and Canteen of UPJŠ or with contractual partners. The accommodation subsystem is part of AiS2, catering in ŠDaJ is administered by a separate information system, which is integrated within the UIS UPJŠ.

8. - Spatial, material, and technical provision of the study programme and support

a) - List and characteristics of the study programme classrooms and their technical equipment with the assignment to learning outcomes and courses (laboratories, design and art studios, studios, workshops, interpreting booths, clinics, priest seminaries, science and technology parks, technology incubators, school enterprises, practice centers, training schools, classroom-training facilities, sports halls, swimming pools, sports grounds).

Doctoral students of the program can use the teaching infrastructure of the Institute of Biological and Ecological Sciences in the RBL building (Šrobárova 2) (classrooms RB1, RB2, RB4), which are equipped with computer technology, internet connection and audio-visual or microscopic technology. In addition, they have at their disposal 3 laboratory rooms with modern instrumentation (see below), an animal house for breeding laboratory animals with an associated operating room. Near the animal house a laboratory with equipment for behavioral experiments is located.

For research and education purposes, the Institute of Biological and Ecological Sciences PF UPJŠ has devices such as the Leica TCS SP5 X confocal microscope with white laser (Leica), the inverted fluorescent microscope Leica DMI 6000 B equipped with a micromanipulator and culture chamber for collecting live cell data (Leica), the Nikon Eclipse E400 fluorescent microscope (Nikon), the flow cytometer BD SSC and 3 fluorescent channels (BD), cell sorter - BD FACSAria II SORP with 4 excitation sources (BD), Real-Time PCR multicolor detection system iCyclerIQ (Bio-Rad Laboratories), western blot analysis apparatus (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Owl Separation Systems), apparatus for 2-D electrophoresis (Bio-Rad Laboratories), documentation equipment Chemid Deep-Frozen Box (New Brunswick Technologies and others.

Microscopic technique - binocular stereomicroscopy: Nikon (2x), Olympus with camera (3x) and Leica S6E (3x); High-standard phase contrast light microscopes: Nikon Eclipse E400 (1x), Leica DM1000 (3x), Carl Zeiss Axiolab (2x), and Leica DM2500 with differential interference contrast (DIC - Nomarski) Equipment for ecophysiological testing – heating-cooling dry block thermostat (Biosan CH-100) and incubator MIR-154 with temperature range -10°C to +60°C . Molecular analysis infrastructure: PCR box Biosan UVT-S-AR, thermo-shaker Biosan TS-100, vortex Biosan V-1 plus, Eppendorf Mini Spin plus centrifuge, Bioer GeneExplorer hermocyclist, Hoefer SUB10 electorate with VWR PerfectBlue source, UV transilluminator Cleaver Scientific CSLUVTSDUO365 with a black chamber and a Cannon EOS 2000D camera.

In addition, doctoral students can also use modern infrastructure, which is also available on the other institutes of PF UPJŠ, e.g. Institute of Chemical Sciences. The education of doctoral students of the study programme Animal Physiology is also provided by two external training workplaces of the Slovak Academy of Sciences – Neurobiological Institute and Institute of Physiology of Husbandry Animals, which have high-quality instrumentation, which can be fully used by doctoral students.

University Internet connection with Sanet 10Gbps:

Throughout of the backbone of the SANET-2 network by 100GE channels, can be extended up to 500Gbps https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ciakt/saunet/ WIFI connection, covered all university buildings, part of the network eduoram.org AiS2 – comprehensive academic information system for study management https://ais2.upjs.sk/ais/start.do.Email for each employee and student - operated on the Office 365 https://outlook.office.com/ platform, custom email domain @upjs.sk Office 365 distance learning support teams.microsoft.com and https://www.upjs.sk/navody/office-365/ and BigBlueButton https://bbb.science.upjs.sk/b.

Cybersecurity - custom CSIRT team https://csirt.upjs.sk/#/ ·

Raising security awareness: support for students in case of data leaks, compromise of email addresses, compromise of devices with malware.

Helpdesk IT support https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ciakt/, https://www.upjs.sk/helpdesk/kontakty/ Audio visual technology – enabling audio and video projection, as well as remote connection in the RB0A5 car in the building of the RB pavilion, the AK0A7 aule on the street Kostlivý, in the Historical Meeting Room of the Rectory, the Grand Meeting Room of the Rectory, the Small Meeting Room of the Rectory and the Boardroom of the Rector on the Rectory.

The university is also involved in the National Telerepresentation Infrastructure of CVTI – 10 connections https://www.tp.cvtisr.sk/telekonferencne-miestnosti / ·

E-learning – portal for e-learnig education · e-learning My career: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/aktuality/e-learning-moja-kariera/·

Portal UPJŠ LF - multimedia support for teaching of clinical and health fields together with all faculties of medicine in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republik.

Counselling for students – https://portal.ccvapp.upjs.sk/ticket-page/poradenstvo-pre-studentov/31 Career and psychological counselling for students: UNIPOC UPJŠ ·

Technology and innovation park UPJŠ - https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/tip, which includes incubator and support for technological transfer ·

UVP Medipark

VVC Promatech

UVP Technicom na UPJŠ

Botanická záhrada UPJŠ

Učebno-výcvikové zariadenie Danišovce

UPJŠ provides spatial, material, technical and information resources of the study programme separately for each seat in which the study programme takes place, appropriate to the objectives and outputs of the education. Ensuring a fully-fledged infrastructure supporting higher education, creative scientific research and research activities is one of the university's priorities. The continuous progress of the university is also reflected in the continuous expansion of existing infrastructure, reconstruction of buildings and the introduction of modern information and communication technologies. The existence of university workplaces is essential to ensure the required quality of selected services, which are characteristic of a respected and materially well-equipped university. All up-to-date information on the provision of study programmes at the university can be found at: https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#7

b) - Characteristics of the study programme information management (access to study literature according to Course information sheets, access to information databases and other information sources, information technologies, etc.).

Students' access to the study literature is provided by the central university workplace of the University Library of UPJŠ in Košice (https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/ ). The main mission of the University Library of UPJŠ (UK) as an information workplace of the university is to participate in the information provision of teaching and scientific and research activities of its employees and students, to create conditions for support of the educational process and an inspiring environment for users. The UK fulfils this mission by creatively using information resources and technologies, providing, documents, information and consultations, expertise of staff and facilities to support teaching, education and research. More information on the different areas provided by the UK can be found at the following links:

Llibrary – information services: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/sluzby/,

rental services: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/sluzby/vypozicne-sluzby1/, catalogues: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/katalogy/,

electronic information sources: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/e-kniznica/,

Virtual Study Office UPJŠ: https://digitalnakniznica.cvtisr.sk/page/digitalna-kniznica-upjs,

study services: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/sluzby/studovne1/,

information and search services: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/sluzby/informacne-a-resersne-sluzby1/,

inter-library rental service: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/sluzby/mvs1/,

information education: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/univerzitna-kniznica/sluzby/vzdelavanie1/,

database of publishing activity records of UPJŠ employees: https://aleph.upjs.sk/F/3MMS97JKRIL5HMDDR1P5BCMU5BI4N4HKNTLU46MT2VHH7EJNDS-0&local_base=epc0

ŠafárikPress UPJŠ (http://www.safarikpress.6f.sk)

publishing house is involved in spreading awareness of the possibilities of electronic publication at the university. The Unibook portal provides a permanent repository of electronic documents, an archive of all published publications and at the same time modern possibilities for purchasing book publications of UPJŠ employees through the web interface of the e-shop (https://unibook.upjs.sk/sk/).

The Academic Information System AiS2 (https://ais2.upjs.sk/) is used to support comprehensive management of education at all three levels of higher education. The Centre of Information and Communication Technology (CIaKT, https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ciakt/)

UPJŠ in Košice is an all-university information workplace that covers the activities of information and communication technologies inside UPJŠ, but also externally in connection with its surroundings. The university node CIaKT UPJŠ is also a regional node of the Slovak Academic Network (SANET).

c) - Characteristics and extent of distance education applied in the study programme with the assignment to courses. Access, manuals of e-learning portals. Procedures for the transition from contact teaching to distance learning.

The standard form of education for the doctoral study programme is the attendance form. Distance learning for this programme is carried out only in crisis situations, such as restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In such exceptional cases, all teachers switch to distance learning and proceed in accordance with the decision of the Rector of UPJŠ in Košice for the realization of teleconferencing lectures (see Decision of the Rector 22/2020). Educational activities at UPJŠ in Košice, which are provided by distance form, are sufficiently supported and also secured (https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/?documentid=4067#7).

Information on the distance form of education, an overview of tools with guides and available university portals can be found on the e-learning website at UPJŠ (https://www.upjs.sk/elearning/).

d) - Institution partners in providing educational activities for the study programme and the characteristics of their participation.

Career Club UPJŠ ·

OZ Naturalist

The list of partners who cooperate in the management of projects, final works, carry out traineeships, are members of commissions for Final Exams of the study programmes, Student scientific conference, award special prizes within Student scientific conference, participate in the realization of scientific and pedagogical auxiliary forces:

· Institute of Neurobiology, BMC SAS in Košice

· Institute of Animal Physiology, CBV SAS in Košice

· University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice

· Institute of Parasitology SAS in Košice

The University takes care to link knowledge with practice, which is supported by strong ties with important partners and organizations. Partners are oficially associated in the Career club of UPJŠ (https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/career-club-upjs/ ). UPJŠ is a founding member of Košice IT Valley. The university is also working with other partners https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/cinnost/medzinarodne-vztahy/clenstva / Partnerships of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of UPJŠ in Košice enabling the provision of educational activities of the study programme:

centres of excellence (https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/centra-exc / )

start-up projects (https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/start-up/)

university science park Technicom (https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/technicom/)

jointly used laboratories (https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/spolocne-laboratoria/)

scientific research and research Promatech Centre (https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/promatech).

e) - Characteristics of the possibilities for social, sports, cultural, spiritual and social activities.

Events : www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/unipoc/aktivity/

. Traditional events : Science Fest, Science Days, Night of Researchers

· Student Radio Košice - ŠtuRKo http://sturko.intrak.upjs.sk

· Student organisations https://www.upjs.sk/studium/studentske-organizacie /

· Interest rings https://www.upjs.sk/studium/zaujmove-zdruzenia /

· Sports facilities of UPJŠ www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ustav-telesnej-vychovy/sluzby/telovychovne-objekty/

Sports activities for students of UPJŠ are provided by the university workplace institute of physical education and sport (ÚTVŠ). It offers a choice of 21 types of sport (https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ustav-telesnej-vychovy/studenti-fakult-upjs/) through the subject Sports Activities. Students can do sports not only within the compulsory or selective subject, but also beyond the credit form. In addition to the physical activities offered, students can participate in the university league in 4 sports (futsal, flotbal, basketball, volleyball). Traditional additions offers of ÚTVŠ are winter and summer courses (ski course, survival course, cycling course, rafting of the River Tisza and exercise by the sea). Students who are not enough sports activities offered by ÚTVŠ can also apply for a much wider range of sports offered by TJ Slávia UPJŠ. - http://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ustav-telesnej-vychovy/o-nas-utvs/tj-slavia-upjs-kosice/

There are 5 gyms available for sports students, most of which have undergone a major renovation in recent years. The gym is equipped for the needs of various levels – from beginner to advanced – and is regularly refilled and upgraded. In addition, there are 4 tennis courts and 3 multifunctional concrete playgrounds in the building of ÚTVŠ, which students use mainly for sports games.

· Sports events UPJŠ https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/ustav-telesnej-vychovy/sportove-akcie-utvs/

· City of Košice www.visitkosice.org

· The official website of the city of Košice https://www.kosice.sk/sk

Development of UPJŠ students is ensured not only by quality education, but also by social, sporting, cultural, spiritual and social activities during their studies. An overview of what the university, its work-places and also the city of Košice offers to our students can be found at: https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#7

f) - Possibilities and conditions for participation of the study programme students in mobilities and internships (indicating contact details), application instructions, rules for recognition of this education.

The University enables and supports education outside upjš in domestic and foreign institutions (https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#3). Foreign student mobility is an essential area of the university's international relations. All important information on mobility and internship opportunities for university students is published on the https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/cinnost/medzinarodne-vztahy/ website. Comprehensive information on Erasmus+ mobility and traineeships, including a description of the candidate selection process, is available on the university's website https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/vonkajsie-vztahy/. Information on support of foreign mobility and traineeship at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of UPJŠ is available on the https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/vonkajsie-vztahy/ website. For the administration of mobility, the University uses the Academic Information System AiS2 and portal tools created under the Erasmus without paper (EWP) project. AiS2 and EWP are gradually integrated into one functional functional unit. The conditions for recognition of completed studies are governed by https://www.upjs.sk/public/media/15322/studijny-poriadok-doktorand-upjs-maj-2019-dopl.pdf.

9. - Required abilities and admission requirements for the study programme applicants

a) - Required abilities and necessary admission requirements.

The conditions for admission to the study are:

- preparation and successful presentation of the project to the written topic of the doctoral study, to which the applicant applied,

- successful completion of the examination before the Examination Committee in the subjects Animal Physiology and Professional English,

- successfully mastering the debate before the examination committee.

b) - Admission procedures.

The principles of admission procedure at UPJŠ define the basic legislative backgrounds and general principles according to which a reliable, fair and transparent admission procedure is carried out at the university for study programmes carried out at UPJŠ in 3rd level of higher education. Information on the admission procedure at UPJŠ is published on the website Doktorandské štúdium | UPJŠ (upjs.sk).

c) - Results of the admission process over the last period.

Academic years:

2024/2025: 3 applicants, 3 accepted, 2 registered

2023/2024: 5 applicants, 4 accepted, 4 registered

10. - Feedback on the quality of provided education

a) - Procedures for monitoring and evaluating students' opinions on the study programme quality.

Information on the procedure for monitoring and evaluating student satisfaction at the university is published on the https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#10 website. Quality indicators and results of quality monitoring at UPJŠ in Košice and its components are publicly available on the https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/indikatory/.

b) - Results of student feedback and related measures to improve the study programme quality.

The University informs about the results of the evaluation of the quality of educational activity on its website https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/overovanie/prieskumy/. Detailed measures to improve the quality of the study programme based on the results of the surveys carried out are set out in the minutes of the meetings of the Study Programme Board, which are archived in the monitoring panel of the study programs in AiS2.

c) - Results of graduate feedback and related measures to improve the study programme quality.

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice and its faculties carry out questionnaire surveys on the application of university graduates in order to improve the profile of graduates, closer connection of study with practice and improve the position of graduates on the labour market. Information on monitoring the feedback of graduates can be found on the https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/overovanie/absolventi/ website. The current rules, periodicity and methodology of the questionnaire surveys are described on the https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#10 website. Specific conclusions from questionnaire surveys carried out at university, faculty or workplace level for a given study programme are documented in the minutes of the Study Programme Board. The minutes are archived in the monitoring panel of the study programs in AiS2.

11. - References to other relevant internal regulations and information concerning the study or the study programme student

(e.g study guide, accommodation regulations, fee directive, guidelines for student loans, etc.).

All information on study programmes, which provides an overview of relevant internal regulations, fees or student loans, is available to the public and regularly updated on the following page: https://www.upjs.sk/univerzita/kvalita/programy/#7, as well as in the information for university students: https://www.upjs.sk/studium/ . Specific information is published by the Faculty of Science: https://www.upjs.sk/prirodovedecka-fakulta/studium/.