The educational program for doctoral students is organized and implemented through the Forest Research Institute and the PhD Training Center of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The program comprises the following types of training:
(1) Individual specialized training at the Forest Research Institute, which concludes with examination(s) in the core specialized subject(s).
(2) General specialized training in the relevant scientific fields, jointly delivered by the research institutes of BAS and the PhD Training Center.
The general specialized training consists of completing at least two courses of 30 hours each. These courses are intended either to provide fundamental knowledge relevant to the field of the doctoral dissertation or to develop competencies in an interdisciplinary area closely related to the dissertation topic.
Courses are delivered in a lecture format when attended by a minimum of five participants. If fewer than five participants are enrolled, the courses are conducted through individual consultations with the lecturer.
Specialized courses conducted at the Forest Research Institute – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)
SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN BULGARIA
Biometric models of forest tree species and communities
FORESTS PROTECTION AGAINST INSECT PESTS AND PATHOGENS
MONETARY VALUATION IN LANDS AND FORESTRY
FSC CERTIFIED FOREST MANAGEMENT
Identification, Management and Control of Invasive Alien Plant Species
Doctoral students may also attend specialized courses delivered by guest lecturers under the Erasmus+ programme, as well as undertake training or internships at a foreign university, institute, laboratory, company, enterprise, foundation, NGO, public administration body, etc., within the framework of doctoral mobility under Erasmus+.
(3) General academic training for acquisition of language and computer skills
General academic language training for doctoral students, as well as general academic training in computer skills, is provided by the PhD Training Center of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS).
The language training for doctoral students consists of 120 hours and is free of charge. The computer skills course is also free of charge for doctoral students, while the Forest Research Institute covers the fee paid to the PhD Training Center of BAS.