Doctoral Program
Objective
The PPGBTC Doctoral Program aims to qualify graduates to develop research and teaching activities, as well as to work in other production sectors in the areas of Biotechnology and Biosciences. In this program, we encourage theoretical and practical reflection, improving the different skills and abilities necessary for professional training, with a view to promoting the quality of life and enhancing scientific, economic and social development in a rational and sustainable way.
Admission
Admission to the Doctoral Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences takes place through a call for applications that is usually opened between November and December of each year, with the selection stages taking place in two periods in the subsequent year, according to the schedule contained in the call for applications. The Program admits candidates holding undergraduate degrees recognized by the Ministry of Education of Brazil (MEC) or, in case of foreign degrees, an undergraduate degree recognized in Brazil. It is not necessary to have a Master’s degree (Article 6 of the PPGBTC Bylaws). The selection process includes the evaluation of a research project and of the curriculum vitae and an interview with the selection committee, all steps being carried out remotely. It is important to point out that the program does not guarantee scholarships to the selected students; the scholarships are distributed annually based on a call for applications open to all students regularly enrolled in the Program.
Please note that the PPGBTC adopts UFSC’s affirmative action policies, thus, in compliance with Normative Resolution No. 145/2020/CUn, of 27 October 2020, and other regulations, 20% of the places available for admission are reserved for black, indigenous or quilombola candidates, and 10% are reserved for people with disabilities, based on the categories listed in Articles 3 and 4 of the Decree No. 3298/99 (with the wording given by Decree No. 5296/04), and in Article 2 of Law No. 13146/15.
Curricular structure
The Doctoral Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences has a minimum duration of 24 (twenty-four) months and a maximum duration of 48 (forty-eight) months (Article 32 of the PPGBTC Bylaws). Throughout the program, the doctoral student must take 36 (eighteen) credits in courses and complementary activities, of which at least 24 credits must be taken in courses and the other 12 credits can be taken in complementary activities as listed in Chapter IV of Normative Resolution no. 07/PPGBTC/2022. Among the courses, “Interfaces of Biosciences and Biotechnology” (3 credits) and “Seminars II” (4 credits) are required, the first one is offered in the first semester of each academic year and the second one is taken throughout the semesters, being mandatory that the student attend 60 classes by the end of the program (see the rules for this course). The other credits can be taken in elective courses offered by the Program or in courses from other Graduate Programs, as long as the credit transfer is approved by the PPGBTC Delegate Council, or in complementary activities.
A qualifying exam presentation is also required for doctoral students, consisting of presenting the doctoral dissertation results until the 30th month after joining the PPGBTC. At the end of the program, students must present their dissertation to an examining committee, to then receive the 12 (twelve) credits allocated to the dissertation, in accordance with Article 41(1) of the PPGBTC Bylaws.
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