Wildlife Management and Conservation (PhD.)
Wildlife Management and Conservation is a doctoral study programme focused on scientific research, conservation, and the sustainable management of wild animals, their populations, and habitats.
About the Program
Are you interested in wildlife, biodiversity, forest ecosystems, and scientific research in animal conservation?
The doctoral study programme Wildlife Management and Conservation integrates knowledge from agriculture, forestry, landscape planning and design, ecology, and nature conservation, with a specific focus on wild animal species and their habitats.
The programme addresses non-domesticated animal species, including wildlife kept in captivity that does not differ genetically from wildlife in the wild. It emphasises the sustainable use and management of both populations and the areas in which they occur.
How is the program focused?
The programme is based on an interdisciplinary, ecosystem-based approach. It links biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, forestry, agricultural landscape use, and scientific research methods.
- Wild animals: the programme focuses on the management, conservation, and sustainable use of wildlife populations.
- Biodiversity and gene pool: focuses on conserving the gene pool of higher animals and the ecological context of their occurrence.
- Science and research: develops the formulation of scientific hypotheses, the application of scientific methods, and the analysis and verification of results.
- Landscape and people: examines the impact of human activity on the abundance and living conditions of wildlife.
What will be in your schedule
Core Courses
- Food resources
- Quantitative animal genetics
- Animal biodiversity
- Wildlife management
- Animal conservation and their habitats
- Environmental economics in wildlife management and conservation
What will you learn to do?
- apply scientific research methods in the field of wild animal management and conservation,
- formulate research objectives and scientific hypotheses,
- statistically evaluate, analyse, and verify research results,
- assess the status of wildlife populations and their habitats in an ecological and spatial context,
- propose measures for the sustainable conservation and development of wildlife populations,
- critically evaluate and synthesise new scientific knowledge,
- present and publish achieved scientific outputs,
- engage in expert discussion on the topic and adopt a critical scientific stance.
Research focused on wildlife, landscape, and human activity
The aim of the programme is to prepare graduates to independently address, both theoretically and practically, issues in applied zoology, including game management and conservation management of animals.
The studies develop the ability to analyse ecological, genetic, environmental, and socio-economic links that influence wildlife populations and their habitats.
What will you work with during your studies?
During your studies, you will focus on topics related to animal conservation, wildlife management, biodiversity, genetics, forest ecosystems, and sustainable land use:
- wildlife management and sustainable hunting management,
- animal biodiversity and conservation of the gene pool of higher animals,
- animal conservation and their habitats,
- quantitative animal genetics,
- food resources and population conditions of wildlife,
- forest ecosystems, including agroforestry systems,
- the impact of human activity on the abundance and living conditions of wildlife,
- environmental economics in wildlife management and conservation.
Wildlife conservation as both a scientific and practical topic
The programme is based on the field of study Forestry and develops the knowledge needed for the conservation and sustainable use of animals as an integral part of forest ecosystems, including agroforestry systems.
Graduates can independently design and lead research projects, analyse and assess the status of wildlife populations, identify risks, and propose measures for their sustainable conservation and development under changing environmental conditions.
Where the program will take you
Graduates of the doctoral study programme Wildlife Management and Conservation are prepared to carry out independent scientific, teaching, professional, and managerial activities in the field of wild animal management, conservation, and the sustainable use of their populations.
They can work in academia, research institutions, state administration and local government bodies, the private and non-governmental sectors, state nature conservation, organisations involved in hunting, environmental agencies, forestry and agricultural enterprises.
Possible positions include, for example, researcher, wildlife management specialist, expert in biodiversity and genetic resource conservation, environmental consultant, nature and landscape protection officer, university lecturer, or project coordinator in sustainable development and environmental policy.
What makes the program unique?
Wildlife
The programme focuses on non-domesticated animal species, their populations, habitats, and the conditions of their occurrence.
Biodiversity and gene pool
It develops knowledge on the conservation of biodiversity and the gene pool of higher animals in ecological and conservation contexts.
Scientific research
It emphasises scientific methods, hypothesis formulation, results analysis, and the publication of scientific outputs.
Wildlife and landscape management
It links wildlife management, forestry, agricultural landscapes, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Program Information
Program Length
4 years
Degree
doctoral study
Degree
PhD.
Study Mode
full-time / part-time
Language
Slovak / English
Joint Program
SUA in Nitra + TUZVO