Educational level (Bachelor/Master):
Master
Programme title and code of specialty:
051101.06.7 - Biology
Specialization:
051101.06.7 - Ecology and bioresources management
Programme start academic year:
2026/2027
Mode of study (full time/part time):
Full time
Language of study:
Հայերեն
1. Admission requirements (criteria)
YSU Master's degree is open to candidates with a bachelor's degree or a diploma from a state or non-state higher education institution accredited by specialty.
Graduates of the last three years of the Biology program,
who have a GPA of more than 13, may be admitted without an exam, while graduates of other educational programs with a GPA of less than 13 or who have a GPA of more than 13 must
pass an oral exam.
https://www.ysu.am/faculty/87/educational-program-340/739
Graduates of the last three years of the Biology program,
who have a GPA of more than 13, may be admitted without an exam, while graduates of other educational programs with a GPA of less than 13 or who have a GPA of more than 13 must
pass an oral exam.
https://www.ysu.am/faculty/87/educational-program-340/739
2. Programme Objectives
The goal of the program is to prepare specialists with theoretical and practical knowledge, abilities, and skills in the fields of ecology, bioresource management, and environmental protection.
3. Programme learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- List the achievements of modern biology in the areas of biodiversity conservation, biotechnology, food industry and safety, public health, and environmental protection,
- Define the theoretical foundations for research design and implementation.
- List the characteristics of the life cycles of pollutants and modern methods used to conserve biological resources.
- To introduce international systems for assessing and managing ecological risks.
- Explain the interconnected ways of sustainably conserving ecosystems and biodiversity.
- To introduce international systems for assessing and managing ecological risks.
- Apply qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis, perform statistical analysis of the results of ecological and environmental research.
- Apply risk assessment methods in actions taken to address critical issues related to the state of ecosystems and public health.
- To compile an ecological passport of production and conduct an ecological and environmental audit.
- Assess the condition of land and water resources and develop programs aimed at reducing anthropogenic impact.
- Apply modern methods for the detection and quantitative analysis of pollutants and alien living organisms.
- Apply the knowledge gained when working in the environmental safety systems of mining and other companies.
- To develop new methods for the biodegradation and biological remediation of environmental pollutants and to improve currently used methods.
- Assess the state of biodiversity and propose conservation methods.
- Use various sources of information (internet resources, electronic libraries, scientific articles and reports).
- Analyze existing problems and assess the resources needed to solve them.
- Use foreign language professional literature, communicate orally and in writing. Creatively apply acquired knowledge, perceive and disseminate new ones.
- Plan time and other resources effectively.
- Prepare and present scientific reports.
- Maintain professional ethics.
4. Assessment methods
The assessment includes the following components:
1. Assessment of the mastery of the subsections of the course (study module) (2 current exams),
2. Current tests of individual topics of the course (study module),
3. Checking and assessing the performance and completion of independent tasks provided for by the educational program (independent work),
4. Assessment of the performance of independent and/or group research work provided for by the educational program (research work, which replaces one of the current exams),
5. Assessment of participation in the course (participation),
6. Final assessment of the entire course (study module) in the form of an examination, which involves assessing the level of achievement of the educational outcomes set for the course. Based on the workload of the courses (study modules) provided for in the curriculum of the educational program, the form of training, teaching methods, and taking into account the importance of the course in the formation of the student's professional knowledge and abilities, the courses are divided into 4 groups according to the assessment method:
• with final assessment,
• without final assessment,
• without assessment of current exams,
• quizzes.
• The course assessment components and their assigned points (expressed in percentages) are selected by the teaching lecturer, based on the nature of the course's teaching, learning methods and expected educational outcomes, and approved by the department. The methods of conducting assessments and exams are indicated in the specification of the given educational program, in the course summary.
1. Assessment of the mastery of the subsections of the course (study module) (2 current exams),
2. Current tests of individual topics of the course (study module),
3. Checking and assessing the performance and completion of independent tasks provided for by the educational program (independent work),
4. Assessment of the performance of independent and/or group research work provided for by the educational program (research work, which replaces one of the current exams),
5. Assessment of participation in the course (participation),
6. Final assessment of the entire course (study module) in the form of an examination, which involves assessing the level of achievement of the educational outcomes set for the course. Based on the workload of the courses (study modules) provided for in the curriculum of the educational program, the form of training, teaching methods, and taking into account the importance of the course in the formation of the student's professional knowledge and abilities, the courses are divided into 4 groups according to the assessment method:
• with final assessment,
• without final assessment,
• without assessment of current exams,
• quizzes.
• The course assessment components and their assigned points (expressed in percentages) are selected by the teaching lecturer, based on the nature of the course's teaching, learning methods and expected educational outcomes, and approved by the department. The methods of conducting assessments and exams are indicated in the specification of the given educational program, in the course summary.
5. Graduates career opportunities
Graduates of the "Ecology and Bioresource Management" master's program can work in various departments and supporting structures of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, in the banking system, in various international programs, in particular, in the UN Environment Programme, in the GIZ Sustainable Biodiversity Management Programme, in scientific research institutes, in particular, in the Center for Ecological and Noospheric Research of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, At the Institute of Zoology and Hydroecology, at the A.L. Takhtajyan Institute of Botany, as well as in mining companies, in the ecological safety and environmental departments of food and other industries. There is a need for specialists in this field not only in Armenia, but also abroad.
Graduates of the program can continue their studies at the postgraduate level of the Faculty of Biology of Yerevan State University or at the research institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.
Graduates of the program can continue their studies at the postgraduate level of the Faculty of Biology of Yerevan State University or at the research institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.
6. Resources and forms to support learning
The following auxiliary resources are used in the learning process:
• laboratories equipped with modern equipment and software,
• distance learning and online lectures,
• electronic resources.
• laboratories equipped with modern equipment and software,
• distance learning and online lectures,
• electronic resources.
7. Educational standards and/or programme benchmarks used for the programme development
• Guidelines for completing the curriculum
specification and course descriptors, YSU, Quality Assurance Guide, 2016.
• YSU Admission Regulations for Full-time and Distance Learning Master's Degrees.
• State Educational Standard for the specialty "Biology".
• National Framework of Educational Qualifications of the Republic of Armenia.
specification and course descriptors, YSU, Quality Assurance Guide, 2016.
• YSU Admission Regulations for Full-time and Distance Learning Master's Degrees.
• State Educational Standard for the specialty "Biology".
• National Framework of Educational Qualifications of the Republic of Armenia.
8. Requirements for the academic staff
1. General skills
Teaching/pedagogical
• Skill in drawing up a course work plan (schedule),
• Knowledge of interactive teaching methods, ability to apply active learning techniques.
Research
• Skill in working with various scientific sources, as well as using Internet information resources,
• Ability to lead a student research group.
Communication
• Skill in verbal communication with the audience,
• Ability to present research results in writing,
• Knowledge of a foreign language at an academic level.
ICT application
• computer skills (fluent in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
• ability to use modern social platforms,
• skills in preparing and presenting slideshows.
Other skills
• knowledge of designing courses, defining learning outcomes, and choosing the right teaching and assessment methods,
• ability to effectively design course materials (courses, handouts, manuals, etc.), ability to maintain student interest and engagement,
• time planning and management skills.
2. Professional skills and knowledge by field
• computer skills (fluent in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
• ability to use modern social platforms,
• skills in preparing and presenting slideshows.
• knowledge of designing courses, defining educational outcomes, choosing the right teaching and assessment methods,
• ability to effectively design course materials (courses, newsletters, manuals, etc.), ability to ensure student interest and engagement,
• time planning and management skills,
• knowledge of the basic principles and current developments in biology,
• professional knowledge of the taxonomy, structure, biological activity, diversity, distribution, application and other aspects of plants, fungi, animals and bacteria,
• knowledge of relevant computer programs, design and implementation of biological monitoring using modern methodology, and expertise techniques,
• professional knowledge in solving the most important problems related to the state of ecosystems and public health,
• professional knowledge in ecology and nature conservation issues, biodiversity conservation,
• professional knowledge in ensuring the ecological safety of mining and other companies (the impact of activities on biodiversity), the state of land and water resources, and the development of programs aimed at reducing anthropogenic impact,
• knowledge of experimental methods, rules for safe work in the laboratory, ability to plan experimental work and analyze results,
• ability to work as a researcher in ongoing research projects in his/her field.
3. General requirements
Scientific degree
• scientific degree and/or title in the field of biological sciences, or in some cases, a master's degree in a given or related specialty obtained from a foreign university,
• at least 3 scientific and/or methodological publications in the last 5 years.
Pedagogical experience
• At least 3 years of experience in teaching, organizing and implementing professional courses,
• Participation in local or international training and/or professional development courses within the last 5 years.
Practical work experience
• At least 5 years of work experience in the field of ecology and environmental protection.
Other requirements
• Teaching portfolio: availability of online materials for at least 50% of the subjects taught,
• Average score obtained according to the results of the student survey: at least 4.0 (for current lecturers).
Teaching/pedagogical
• Skill in drawing up a course work plan (schedule),
• Knowledge of interactive teaching methods, ability to apply active learning techniques.
Research
• Skill in working with various scientific sources, as well as using Internet information resources,
• Ability to lead a student research group.
Communication
• Skill in verbal communication with the audience,
• Ability to present research results in writing,
• Knowledge of a foreign language at an academic level.
ICT application
• computer skills (fluent in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
• ability to use modern social platforms,
• skills in preparing and presenting slideshows.
Other skills
• knowledge of designing courses, defining learning outcomes, and choosing the right teaching and assessment methods,
• ability to effectively design course materials (courses, handouts, manuals, etc.), ability to maintain student interest and engagement,
• time planning and management skills.
2. Professional skills and knowledge by field
• computer skills (fluent in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
• ability to use modern social platforms,
• skills in preparing and presenting slideshows.
• knowledge of designing courses, defining educational outcomes, choosing the right teaching and assessment methods,
• ability to effectively design course materials (courses, newsletters, manuals, etc.), ability to ensure student interest and engagement,
• time planning and management skills,
• knowledge of the basic principles and current developments in biology,
• professional knowledge of the taxonomy, structure, biological activity, diversity, distribution, application and other aspects of plants, fungi, animals and bacteria,
• knowledge of relevant computer programs, design and implementation of biological monitoring using modern methodology, and expertise techniques,
• professional knowledge in solving the most important problems related to the state of ecosystems and public health,
• professional knowledge in ecology and nature conservation issues, biodiversity conservation,
• professional knowledge in ensuring the ecological safety of mining and other companies (the impact of activities on biodiversity), the state of land and water resources, and the development of programs aimed at reducing anthropogenic impact,
• knowledge of experimental methods, rules for safe work in the laboratory, ability to plan experimental work and analyze results,
• ability to work as a researcher in ongoing research projects in his/her field.
3. General requirements
Scientific degree
• scientific degree and/or title in the field of biological sciences, or in some cases, a master's degree in a given or related specialty obtained from a foreign university,
• at least 3 scientific and/or methodological publications in the last 5 years.
Pedagogical experience
• At least 3 years of experience in teaching, organizing and implementing professional courses,
• Participation in local or international training and/or professional development courses within the last 5 years.
Practical work experience
• At least 5 years of work experience in the field of ecology and environmental protection.
Other requirements
• Teaching portfolio: availability of online materials for at least 50% of the subjects taught,
• Average score obtained according to the results of the student survey: at least 4.0 (for current lecturers).
