Course Structure

The Master in Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS) extends over 24 months. By the time of graduation, the student must have completed 24 credits (14 credits in mandatory and 10 in elective courses), in addition to a Master's dissertation. The MEMS is intended for students with a degree in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Technology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biology, and related areas, aiming to pursue advanced studies in Engineering and Materials Science.

The 14 credits in mandatory courses must be selectec among the following.

  • Four credits in Thermodynamics of Materials
  • at least four credits in Research Methodology
    • Research Design and Expression (4 credits)
    • Bibliographic Research (2 credits)
  • at least four credits in Analysis and Characterization of Materials
    • Characterization of Materials by X-ray Scattering Techniques (2 credits)
    • Scanning Electron Microscopy and Elemental Chemical Analysis (4 credits)
    • Characterization of Materials by Spectroscopy (4 credits)
    • Thermal Analysis (4 credits)
  • Two credits in Seminars in Engineering and Materials Science.

Excess credits in mandatory courses can be counted as elective credits. In addition, an English proficiency exam, aimed at reading and understanding texts, is also mandatory.

The Doctorate in Engineering and Materials Science (DEMS) extends over 48 months. By the time of graduation, the student must have completed 32 credits (16 credits in mandatory and 16 credits in elective courses), in addition to a Doctoral thesis. The Master's credits can be counted in as long as they were completed less than five years ago. The DEMS is intended for students with a Master's Degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and related areas.

The 16 credits in mandatory courses must be selected among the following.

The Doctorate in Engineering and Materials Science (DEMS) extends over 48 months. By the time of graduation, the student must have completed 32 credits (16 credits in mandatory and 16 credits in elective courses), in addition to a Doctoral thesis. The Master's credits can be counted in as long as they were completed less than five years ago. The DEMS is intended for students with a Master's Degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and related areas.

The 16 credits in mandatory courses must be selected among the following.

  • Thermodynamics of Materials (4 credits)
  • at least four credits in Research Methodology
    • Research Design and Expression (4 credits)
    • Bibliographic Research (2 credits)
  • at least four credits in Analysis and Characterization of Materials
    • Characterization of Materials by X-ray Scattering Techniques (2 credits)
    • Scanning Electron Microscopy and Elemental Chemical Analysis (4 credits)
    • Characterization of Materials by Spectroscopy (4 credits)
    • Thermal Analysis (4 credits)
  • Four additional credits in Research Methodology, Analysis and Characterization of Materials, or Seminars in Engineering and Materials Science.

Excess credits in mandatory courses can be counted as elective credits. In addition, a proficiency exam in a foreign language other than English (already assessed for the Master's degree), aimed at reading and understanding texts, is also mandatory.

The curricular structure stimulates the student's creativity in the composition of his/her set of credits in subjects that will contribute to his/her research. The mandatory courses aim to provide a consistent theoretical and methodological foundation to students, provide a critical understanding of the structure, characterization, and thermodynamics of materials, and offer methodological and scientific tools for the research that ultimately leads to the dissertation, thesis, and publications in scientific journals. The elective courses aim to offer the student some detailed knowledge about materials' characterization and processing. In both cases, the activities include theoretical classes, laboratory practices, and extra-class activities, in addition to the time allocated to research and writing the dissertation or thesis.

A qualifying exam is due up to 12 months from enrollment as a regular MEMS student (24 months for DEMS). In the qualifying exam, the candidate must present his/her dissertation or thesis project before an examining committee according to the program regulations. The dissertation or thesis consists of a written work carried out under the advice of a professor of the Program and presented before an examining board, according to Program?s regulations.

The students enrolled in the Program are allowed to participate in complimentary training activities that are not necessarily related to the curriculum. These activities aim, for instance, to foster the exchange of experiences between undergraduate and graduate students at the Meeting of Young Researchers and Academic Exhibition of Innovation and Technology, where traditionally Master's and Doctoral students are invited to assist in the organization and to evaluate works and technical sessions. In addition, graduate students also participate as members of examining boards of undergraduate students' final projects.