Programme description

Why studying biology at the Jagiellonian University? Biology is supposedly an undervalued field of study, usually connected with natural sciences taught at school whereas, it is much more than plants and animals! Modern biology is an interdisciplinary science, and its specializations such as: ecology, genetics, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, phytogeography, zoogeography, molecular biology are combined with mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and anthropology. The Jagiellonian University is a leading institution teaching in the areas of natural sciences, and biology is on top of various rankings with its great teaching facilities, broad staff research activity, and modern infrastructure. The biology study program is focused on practical classes – laboratory and field activities (also abroad). The program's objectives and planned effects of education in the scope of newly established and updated courses are constantly confronted with available job offers and labor market needs. All thanks to the fact that the Program Board consists of representatives of companies who actively participate in establishing the study program.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Biology (until 2017—the Faculty of Biology and Earth Sciences ) was established in 1951. It has the A scientific category in the rating of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, study programmes conducted at the Faculty lead in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation 'Perspektywy' and talented students win the prestigious Diamond Grant programme. The Faculty of Biology allows students to develop their interests regarding various aspects of biology, neurobiology and environment sciences in well equipped laboratories and during field trips. It gives a possibility to chose a profile of educational path, implement individual research projects, and chose subjects taught by the experts from the Institute of Botany, the Institute of Environmental Sciences, the Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research and the Botanical Garden.

The premises of the Faculty are located on the territory of the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival. Biology students may access top-quality research equipment available in specialized laboratories. They may use laminar flow cabinets and incubators in the cell culture labs, equipment for measuring the activity of individual nerve cells, and conduct the locomotor activity tests and EEG tests using laboratory animals. Students may use the well equipped environmental sciences library and reading room, as well as Internet databases with full access to articles regarding biological and medical sciences. 

▶️  Faculty of Biology of Jagiellonian University – virtual tour

👉  Learn more about the history of the Faculty of Biology

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Positive evaluation of the study programme rating awarded by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA)
• The Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation:
  • 1st place between 2020 and 2023
  • 2nd place in 2019
• Scientific category A in the discipline of Biological Sciences awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations work at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. There are many student associations at the Faculty of Biology.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+, Utrecht Network, bilateral exchange programmes, European university Una Europa, or the domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• Student Government of the Faculty of Biology

From our students

Marta
It is a great time to develop interests. Sometimes we find them right away, sometimes we rediscover passion for a particular field of interest. I recommend joining research societies and learn more about possibilities to do additional traineeships or internships and use the new knowledge in real life. By starting studies you join a new environment. An active participation in the Student Government or associations is a great way to meet new people and discover your inner talents.

Szymon
Student life means a great independence. It is a big challenge to harness the knowledge gained during classes. However, apart from the exam session when I devote my whole time just to learning, I have plenty of time to participate in the activities outside the university, broadening horizons, meetings, parties and taking advantage of a student independence.

From our lecturers

Dr hab. Szymon Drobniak
Studies give a great chance to meet incredible people, teachers and fellow students. I remember it as a mixture of extraordinary personalities and I would love to experience it once again. Apart from that there is no other place to learn questioning the reality in a productive way.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

A graduate of Biology is ready to work in test laboratories, industry, production, administration, environmental protection units, didactic units, and after second-cycle studies is additionally prepared to plan and conduct scientific research in various fields of biology, biomedicine, agriculture, environmental and nature protection. Students preparing to become a biology teachers in primary and secondary school have an opportunity to attend additional courses in pedagogical education program.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences
• Post diploma programmes
• Second-cycle programmes

What alumni say about us

Alumni Stories: Paula Dobosz
– What is your best memory of your time at the Jagiellonian University?
– I have many great memories, and I am happy to think back to that period, and I love Cracow with absolute love till this day. I have the best memories from the time of working in the lab, which was related to my thesis. It was then that I was infected with genetics so effectively that no subsequent attempts to change my profession were successful. 😊

Alumni Stories: Piotr Kowalski
My career began when I was still in college because it was the Jagiellonian University that enabled me to discover my passion for science, in particular for biochemistry and gene therapy. I got my first laboratory training at the Medical Biotechnology Department under the scientific supervision of prof. Józef Dulak and prof. Alicja Józkowicz. It was also one of the best memories of studying at the Jagiellonian University.

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences of the Faculty of Biology offers the possibility to visit the Institute and its laboratories, lecture halls etc. for organized groups (classes, science clubs) under the supervision of a teacher. If you are interested, please get in touch with the Institute.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Faculty of Biology located in the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival, so-called the Third Campus, in Kraków’s district – Ruczaj. For more information, please contact:

wydzial.biologii@uj.edu.pl

ul. Gronostajowa 7
30-387 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 664 67 55, 664 60 47

biologia.uj.edu.pl
wb.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Neurobiology (Faculty of Biology) – programme in Polish
• Natural Resources Management (Faculty of Biology) – programme in Polish
• Biophysics (Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science) – programme in Polish
• Biochemistry (Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology) – programme in Polish
• Biotechnology (Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology) – programme in Polish