Bachelor in Biology and Genetics Vytautas Magnus University

The role of a biologist is a popular one within the field of science - and it's easy to see why. Specialising in the study of humans, plants, and animals, along with the environments in which they inhabit, to say it's an interesting job would be a gross understatement. Constantly learning with an inquisitive nature, biologists often hone their pursuit for information on a single field, such as biochemistry or zoology, becoming experts in a given subject area.

The international market and job trends also signal the growing demand for the kind of specialists in biology that the programme is aimed to prepare. The programme focuses to provide all the necessary knowledge needed to promote a broad range of expertise, erudition, and an intellectual sense of satisfaction during studies, practice, and work. The programme also seeks to confer a deep interest in biology and genetics, apply it in various circumstances, and maintain professional competencies during lifelong learning. The constantly changing research environment, the emerging requirements of professional development, the use of the latest technologies, and the communication opportunities force researchers to know the physical structure of the living world and understand biological phenomena from the perspective of laws of physics and chemistry.

Why Biology and Genetics programme?

• The comprehensive – program is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, research, and innovation, fostering critical thinking, and imaginative response as well as the desire and capacity for lifelong learning of students who will have an impact on the world, locally and globally.
• International and multilingual – one of the program's aims is for students to start developing international networks and intercultural dialogues, and to participate in international scientific, academic, and social projects. The program also encourages the mobility of students and lecturers.
• Kaizen - the main strength of research at VMU is our ability to respond to an increasingly globalised and competitive landscape prompting the dynamic formation of new research priorities and facilitating ongoing improvements in research performance both at a national and an international level.
• Communal - promoting dialogue and tolerance among students and lecturers. Teachers strive to make their subjects innovative, attractive to students, and, most importantly, to reflect the needs and concerns of today.

Feedback of Lecturer

Biology programme encourages students to search for innovative and original solutions to biological problems.

Prof. Algimantas Paulauskas

Professors

Professors of the field of biology and genetics collaborate with researchers of the same field from other countries and take part in international organizations, networks, and editorial boards of scientific journals as well as participate in international projects. All of these activities also encourage academic mobility, especially at international conferences.

Professors are members of international and national associations and organizations; they work as experts for different institutions. They are also members of the editorial boards of international journals – Biologija (Biology), Acta Biologica Universitatis Daugavpiliensis, Food Chemistry, and Technology.

• Prof. R. Daugelavičius. President of the Lithuanian Biochemical Society, council member of the Faculty of Natural Sciences VMU, and expert council member of the Agency for Science.
• Prof.dr. A. Paulauskas is a member of the Lithuanian Society of Genetics, Lithuanian Society of Biotechnology, and Lithuanian Society of Ecology.
• Prof.habil.dr. A.Maruška is president of the Nordic Separation Society and a member of the Lithuanian Humbolthians Society.
• Prof. G.Saulis is a member of the Bioelectrochemical Society, European Bioelectromagnetics Association, International Society on Pulsed Power Applications, European Federation of Biotechnology, members of Lithuanian Biophysical Society.
• Prof. habil. dr. V. Mildažienė is a member of the Lithuanian Biochemical Society.

Graduates of the programme will be able to:

• Understand principles of immune, nervous, and other systems, their structures, and integration with other vital systems of biological objects;
• Work with living cells, organisms, and populations. To evaluate processes taking place inside of the cell, work with cell cultures under laboratory conditions, apply obtained results for modeling of biological systems, evaluate intercellular interconnections, and relations between single individuals and populations;
• Apply modern investigation methods, to work according to principles of good laboratory practice, and rules of bioethics, to collect, process, preserve, and prepare research material under laboratory and field conditions;
• Apply acquired knowledge to solve emerging problems, recognize, analyze biological problems, plan strategies to solve these problems, plan and carry out various measurements, process and interpret biological data, to classify and present these data;
• Analyze diversity, morphological structure, composition, nourishment, reproduction, life cycles, and classification of biological objects, to characterize biological object systems, their functioning, and interaction.

The bachelor programme of Biology and Genetics at VMU is designed to train qualified specialists or managers with biological and genetics research skills who can successfully work in educational institutions, research, and higher education institutions, companies of high technologies and traditional industry, research and development and manufacturing companies and other institutions, create new business companies or continue studies in the second cycle.

The study field of biology is wide open, with diverse career opportunities available in health care, industry, environmental consulting, product development, forensics, and governmental agencies. Companies related to biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and the food industry; Research and study organizations dealing with various activities related to biology, genetics, biotechnology, bioinformatics, biopharmaceutics, and environment preservation.

The Programme provides graduates with several general areas and career opportunities:

• Research science positions in laboratories working in environmental quality evaluation and assessment.
• Laboratory and production technician positions in biotechnology, pharmaceutic, food, cosmetic, agriculture, and biochemical industries.
• Researchers, consultants, and specialists in companies related to environmental agencies, environmental control and food industry and safety, biotechnology, biopharmaceutics, and health services.
• Management positions in the industry and related government institutions.