Professional Master's Degree in Engineering and Environmental Sciences

The Graduate Program in Engineering and Environmental Sciences - Professional Master's Degree was authorized by CAPES (Higher Education Personnel Improvement Coordination) in the 2nd half of 2011, within the area of Engineering I - Sanitary Engineering.

The "professional master's degree" according to CAPES norms grants the graduate the degree of "master in engineering" and guarantees the holder the same rights as the "academic master's degree". As a postgraduate training modality, the course was conceived by the bodies that regulate postgraduate education in the country, to encourage the training of qualified masters in the development of activities and technical-scientific work in topics of essentially technological interest.

The course implementation aims at qualifying human resources for the exercise of a transforming professional practice using environmentally correct procedures, aiming to meet social, organizational, or professional demands and those of the labor market in the environmental area. Additionally, it will support research, teaching, extension and innovation activities developed by the University of Caxias do Sul in the environmental area, contributing to the implementation of practices and policies aimed at sustainable regional and national development.

Concentration Area: Environmental Management and Technology

This area comprises the development of processes and methods in environmental management and technology based on a holistic conception in the way of studying and proposing solutions to the challenges imposed by the relationship between the environment and the activities of human society within the principles of sustainable development. Thus, in this integrated vision, the area includes studies and applied research that enable scientific and technological development in the areas of clean technology, pollution control systems and natural resources.

The program is designed to prepare qualified professionals for transformative practice through the use of environmentally responsible procedures, meeting social, organizational, professional, and labor market demands in the environmental field. It also supports the research, teaching, extension and innovation activities developed by the University of Caxias do Sul in the environmental area, contributing to the implementation of practices and policies focused on sustainable development at both the regional and national levels.

Target Audience

Professionals holding degrees in Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Business, Economics and related fields, such as Management and Health.

• Graduate Profile
  Professionals awarded the Master's degree in Environmental Engineering and Sciences are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, and professional conducts required to work creatively, efficiently, and entrepreneurially in addressing environmental challenges, with the ability to:
• respond to social, organizational, professional, and labor market demands;
• work in teaching, research, design, development, consulting, planning, and innovation involving products, systems, and processes related to environmental issues;
• address complex problems arising from the use of natural resources, contributing to the reduction of environmental impacts associated with development;
• propose solutions to environmental issues related to waste generation and management, thereby contributing to sustainable development and to individual, collective, and environmental health;
• connect different productive sectors with the sustainable use and management of the environment, mineral resources, and water resources.

Holders of a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering and Sciences are also expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental management practices in their professional activities, with particular emphasis on clean technologies, recycling and reuse of materials, reduced consumption of raw materials and natural resources, and the protection of both human and environmental health.

• Assessment and Degree Requirements
  To earn the Master's degree in Environmental Engineering and Sciences, students must complete 24 credits - 10 in required courses and 14 in elective courses - and develop and present a final project worth 10 credits.
  
  The final project must take the form of a product, as established by Normative Ordinance No. 17, of December 28, 2009, issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Education, which determines that the accepted final product formats are: dissertation; systematic and in-depth literature review; article; patent; intellectual property registration; technical project; technological publication; development of applications, teaching and instructional materials, products, processes, and techniques; software; case studies; confidential technical report; technical operations manual; experimental or service application protocol; application or technological adaptation project; prototype for the development or production of instruments, equipment, and kits; technological innovation project; among other possible formats.
  
  Students must also demonstrate proficiency in English as a prerequisite for applying for the defense of the final project. The proficiency examination, focused on reading and comprehension, is taken during the program.
  
  The maximum time allowed for completion of the program (including coursework, development, and presentation of the final project) is 24 months.

Graduate Program in Engineering and Environmental Sciences

Coordinator: Vinício Cecconello
Secretary - E-mail: ppgecam@ucs.br - Telephone - (54) 3218-2575
Campus-Headquarters - Block V - Room 302