PHYCOLOGY.CZ

Phycology (from greek fykos = algae) or also algology (from latin algae) is taught at the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia at the Department of Botany (systematic lectures and seminars) and the Department of Ecology (aspects of ecology and hydrobiology). The discipline is studied in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. The region of South Bohemia not only accomodates the Faculty of Science, but also many biological institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the CR.

Our laboratory is involved in a research of biology of cyanobacteria and algae in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. We apply modern taxonomic approach to different groups of algae and particularly cyanobacteria; great attention is given also to the survival strategies of algae and cyanobacteria in extreme conditions. We work with a variety of methods, from high-quality optical microscopy and electron microscopy to the techniques of molecular biology. Finished phycology students find application in basic and applied research in state or private laboratories and organizations monitoring the water quality (e.g. health institutions, river basin enterprises).