The Polar Ecology course is organized by the Centre for Polar Ecology of the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. It takes place once every two years and consists of theoretical part (KBE / 263), which usually takes place in May as part of a week-long block seminar and field exercise (KBE / 265) in Svalbard. Up to 10 students can participate in the course, who then work in smaller groups on a project according to the focus of the group (botany, microbiology, zoology or parasitology), but they also gain a lot of knowledge from other fields. Thanks to the fact that the course is multidisciplinary, students leave with a comprehensive knowledge of the functioning of polar ecosystems. The course is for 5 credits and ends with a presentation of the project results at the final seminar (mini conference). The course is open to students of all types and fields of study.

There will be another Polar Ecology Course in the summer term of 2026. 

• Application

  Before you apply please read this INFO or look at this PRESENTATION.

  Please complete the attached ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE in order to apply. The questionnaire also includes sending an application consisting of your motivation letter (maximum 5000 characters): send it as pdf named Last_Firstname.pdf. In the motivation letter, explain why you want to attend the course, what you expect from it, if you have any experience with Arctic and similar research and why you think we should choose you.

Photos from previous courses can be found in the Gallery section or on our Facebook page.

Topics of possible theses: Ecology of glacier microorganisms

Cryoconites are water filled cylindrical melt-holes on glacier ice surfaces that are inhabited by microorganisms and small grazing animals (rotifers and tardigrades). We want to know how do the cryoconites and communities within develop over the melting season, where do they get their energy from and how do the different trophic levels interact with each other.

Work on this topic will contain field work in Svalbard and laboratory work in Czechia. More info HERE.

Contact: Dr. Marie Sabacka This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Polar Ecology of Svalbard Textbook - english version
• Polar Ecology of Svalbard Textbook - czech version

Centre for Polar Ecology
Faculty of Science
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Na Zlaté stoce 3
370 05 České Budějovice
Czech Republic

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Branišovská 1645/31a
370 05 České Budějovice
Czech Republic
ID: 60076658
VAT: CZ 60076658