Overview
The program trains students for advanced, independent research in physical geography and geoecology. It explores the interplay between nature and society, covering disciplines like geomorphology, hydrology, climatology, pedogeography, and biogeography. A key focus lies in comparing past and present natural processes for predicting environmental changes.
Application for the programme starting in the winter semester by:
30. 4. 2025
Detailed description of the programme
Offer of dissertation topics:
- Fluvial-morphological changes in streams in response to extreme floods
- Hydrological connectivity of Histosols and Subsoils
- Landscape dynamics and changing natural hazards in high mountains
- Pleistocene mountain glaciation in central Europe: extents, chronology, and landscape modification
- The butterfly effect of cascading disasters in high mountains
Profile of the graduate
The graduates of the ‘Physical Geography and Geoecology’ doctoral study programme have advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen specialization as well as a broad general expertise in related fields. Therefore, they are well equipped for independent research, including complex multidisciplinary investigations, such as understanding natural hazards and assessing their risk for the society. At the same time, they are fully qualified users of remote sensing, GIS and statistictical software techniques that can be applied to geoscience and geoecology problems. The graduates are well-versed in relevant international literature, including literature on the interactions of society and the natural environment at all scales. Their acquired work competence and the broad understanding of the natural environment and its interactions with the society predisposes the graduates for successful collaboration with experts from other research fields or other lines of work.
Application submission
The application is submitted electronically through the Charles University study information system. The completed application must be submitted electronically in the study information system no later than on 30. 4. 2025 for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October) and no later than on 15. 12. 2025 for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).
The admission fee is 100 EUR and it is paid for each submitted application.
Entrance exam
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the winter semester (October) is 9. – 20. 6. 2025, an alternative date is 23. – 27. 6. 2025.
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the summer semester (April) is 4. – 5. 2. 2026, an alternative date is 11. – 12. 2. 2026.
The request for an alternative day is submitted and approved via the electronic information system.
The form of the entrance exam is an oral interview, which mainly concerns the issues of the planned dissertation and the candidate’s knowledge within the field of expertise of the given study programme.
Find more information in:
- Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October)
or - Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).
Important links
Applicants with specific needs
If you have a physical handicap, you can apply for a modification of the entrance exam. For more information read the Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes.
Departments involved in this programme
Guarantor of the study programme
prof. RNDr. Vít Vilímek, CSc.
vit.vilimek@natur.cuni.cz
Do you have a question?
Complete information about the admission procedure can be found on the website for applicants. For questions, please contact the admissions contact persons.
