The doctoral study programme Medical Psychology and Psychopathology is concerned with basic as well as applied research in the areas of biopsychosocial relations. The proposed studies open the possibility for interdisciplinary doctoral education not only for graduates of medical faculties but also for graduates of one-field studies of psychology at faculties of art as well as graduates in some allied fields.

The field builds up on the rich tradition of education in psychological and psychiatric sciences at First Faculty of Medicine, represented by the work of founders of the field, such as Josef Riedel, Mihajlo Rostohar and Vladimír Vondráček. The bias to the biopsychosocial paradigm of recent modern medicine (enriched with the ecologic, environmental dimension), in the aspect of its theoretical base, reflects the recent state of knowledge achieved by modern science in contemporary developed societies.
Theoretical base of the study programme includes the knowledge systems of theoretical psychological fields (developmental psychology, psychology of personality etc.), but also that of applied fields, particularly clinical and medical ones. Psychiatry and behavioural sciences, in turn, represent a complex of scientific disciplines that are concerned with understanding of human psychology and behaviour. These include not only psychological but also genetic, biochemical or physiological approaches and their interactions. Important is the possibility of use of these most recent knowledge in care of the mentally as well as physically ill.

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Study obligations
The content matter of education in particular years of study will be, above all, these topic areas:
(1) Basics of research in the sphere of psychological behavioural sciences.
(2) Medical Psychology and Psychopathology.
(3) Biopsychosocial approaches in health and disease.

Compulsory subjects
B90250 Medical Psychology and Psychopathology I
B90075 Medical Psychology and Psychopathology II
B90036 Medical Psychology and Psychopathology III
B90158 Medical Psychology and Psychopathology IV

The content matter of the education is implemented through the following assignments:
(1) In the first year, passing the examination in the subject Medical Psychology and Psychopathology I, consisting defence of the student’s own synoptic paper proving the student’s orientation and interest in the chosen specialty, complemented with explanation of the basic methods use in scientific work.
(2) Obtaining 4 credits from the subjects Medical Psychology and Psychopathology I, II, III and IV in the 1^st to 4^th year of studies.
(3) Language exam in English (examination at the Institute for History of Medicine and Foreign Languages, State Language Examination or an internationally recognized exam, e.g. TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate).
(4) State Doctoral Examination

Further content matter of the education is specific to the student’s specialty and is specified in the individualized curriculum (“study plan”).

Requirements on creative activities
At least two original publications on the topic of the thesis in journals with IF (at least in one publication, the doctorand must be the first author). Recommended is presentation of the output of the research project in at least two postgraduate conferences organized within the tuition, or other two national or international conferences.

Requirements on placements (internships)
A stay abroad at a relevant professional institution, not shorter than one month.

State doctoral examination
The State doctoral examination can be taken by the student after having fulfilled the following obligations: examination in the subject Medical Psychology and Psychopathology I, three credits (Medical Psychology and Psychopathology I, II and III), language exam, one publication (or proof of acceptation of the paper for print) in a journal with IF. At the examination, the student must prove the knowledge of the major topic areas according to the list of exam questions. He/she must answer one question from the sphere of medical psychology, drawn at random, and one question from the sphere of psychopathology.

Requisites for admission to the defence:
For the defence of the dissertation thesis, the student can register after having fulfilled the basic obligations, i.e. the examination in the subject Medical psychology and psychopathology I, four credits, language exam, state doctoral examination, taking a study placement abroad not shorter than one month, and publication (or proof of acceptation of the paper for print) of at least two papers in a journal with IF. In one of them the applicant should be shown as the first author.