The Program

In 2002, the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC) started the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (PPGCA), at Master's level, which was officially recommended by CAPES in December 2001. The PPGCA has an interdisciplinary character, both due to the diversity in the academic background of its faculty and the content of the planned courses, and in light of the perspective required for addressing socio-environmental issues, being part of CAPES’s broad Multidisciplinary area.
The PPGCA, in its early stages, was part of the Interdisciplinary Area and in 2011 it migrated to the Environmental Sciences Area (49.CAmb), which was created by Ministerial Order 081 of June 6, 2011. The program had its doctorate recommended by CAPES in 2012 and started its first class in 2013.
After a few years, the Program demonstrated progress toward its implementation goals, awarding degrees to 257 Master's and 38 PhD graduates from the most diverse areas of scientific knowledge. In August 2023, the program had 23 master's students and 29 PhD students in training.
In the evaluations by the Area Committee, the PPGCA obtained a score of 3 in the 2004-2006 and 2007-2009 triennials; in the 2010-2012 triennial evaluation, it obtained a score of 4; in the 2013-2016 quadrennial evaluation it maintained its score of 4 and in the 2017-2020 quadrennial evaluation it obtained a score of 5.
In order to achieve these results (increase in the master's degree grade and recommendation of the doctorate by CAPES) it is worth highlighting, among others, the following actions and procedures that began in 2012: a) approval and implementation of the doctoral program with score 4; b) expansion of the permanent faculty with participation in strategic areas of concentration that contribute to the interdisciplinary training of the program; c) onsolidation and adjustment of the lines of research; d) advancement in academic-scientific and intellectual output of faculty and students; e) restructuring of courses starting in 2013 with the involvement of at least two faculty members from different research lines and a greater emphasis on interdisciplinarity; f) compliance with deadlines for dissertation defenses of scholarship students; g) expansion of its demand to other regions of Brazil and within the Institution itself; h) increase in the Program’s presence and output in national and international congresses; i) organization of regional/national events promoted by the Program; j) revitalization of the journal Tecnologia e Ambiente, which is being published digitally on the UNESC journal portal; k) community involvement and regional engagement; l) integration with undergraduate programs and alumni of the Program.

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+ Mission

The Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences has the mission of training qualified professionals, promoting interdisciplinary research in order to understand, address and solve contemporary socio-environmental challenges, committed to ethics, innovation and social responsibility, for the conservation and restoration of the environment and sustainable development.

+ Objective

The objectives of the PPGCA are:
To provide students with specialized training in the various areas of Environmental Sciences, with an emphasis on concepts, theories and methodologies that address contemporary challenges.

To stimulate research in Environmental Sciences, encouraging the production of original and innovative knowledge that contributes to the understanding and solution of socio-environmental issues.

To promote collaboration and dialogue among different areas of knowledge, enabling students to become familiar with interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and solving environmental problems, as well as respect and dialogue with other forms of non-academic knowledge, such as those originating from Indigenous peoples and traditional communities.

To encourage the creation and application of innovative technologies that can contribute to environmental preservation and restoration, as well as sustainable development.

To develop projects and research aimed at biodiversity conservation and the promotion of the sustainable use of natural resources.

To encourage interaction between the academic community and society at large, promoting awareness and collective actions for environmental conservation.

To foster the participation of students and faculty in spaces for environmental public policy management and formulation.

To promote regional, national, and international collaborations to enrich students’ global nowledge in the field of Environmental Sciences.

Area of concentration

The area of concentration "Ecology and Management of Altered Environments" addresses the complex relationship between society and nature, especially in countries such as Brazil, where growing urbanization leads to environmental degradation and compromises biodiversity and quality of life. The focus is on environmental and urban management, seeking to reconcile the conservation of natural resources with human well-being in order to promote socio-environmental sustainability. The program adopts an interdisciplinary approach, covering topics such as landscape ecology, conservation biology, urban planning and education for sustainability, aiming for integrated and dynamic solutions.

Ambiental

Research Lines

Discover our research lines

Natural Environment

This line of research encompasses the study of biodiversity and the dynamics of natural ecosystems, seeking alternatives and strategies for their management. It values interaction with the surrounding human populations with the aim of conserving both the natural environment and the associated traditional knowledge. In this way, it seeks to generate results that contribute to the definition of public policies and concrete actions for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Society, Environment and Development

This line studies the interactions between society and nature, human settlements, and the implications between development, productive and social organizations. Based on an analysis of the forms and relationships between urban and environmental planning, it seeks to study the urban issues in the regional context in an effort to understand the city-country relationship. The research activities are organized around themes such as: health and environment, urban planning and management, sustainability, citizenship, communication, environmental education and the formulation of public policies, in order to contribute and suggest technical-scientific mechanisms capable of making proposals feasible, seeking solutions to the socio-environmental problems of the modern world from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Curriculum Structure

Check out the details of each course you will study in this program

Check out the details of each course you will study in this program

Here you will find information about credits, workload, and course syllabi.

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Academic Schedule

Academic Schedule

Schedule

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Single subjects

In order to enroll as a special student, the candidate must follow the guidelines below and contact the Program office.

Students who are not enrolled in the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences may be allowed to enroll for single subjects, at the discretion of the Coordinating Committee and subject to availability, under the following conditions:

I. Hold an undergraduate degree;
II. Submit the required documents for registration.

Enrollment in single subjects is limited to a maximum of 03 (three) subjects for each applicant.

Enrollment will be conditional on payment of a specific fee determined by the Office of Planning and Institutional Development.

Students regularly enrolled in another Stricto Sensu Graduate Program at UNESC are exempt from paying for the single subject to be taken.

Photocopy of the Undergraduate or Master's degree diploma;
Photocopy of the academic transcript from the Undergraduate or Master's program;
Photocopy of ID (RG) and CPF;
1 recent 3x4 photo;
Completed application form.

Enrollment may be completed up to 15 (fifteen) days prior to the start of the course.

Note: A maximum of 3 (three) single subjects may be taken.

For more information: ppgca@unesc.net or +55 (48) 3431 2595.

Faculty and Students

Faculty/Supervisors

See who the faculty and supervisors in our program are:

Adriano Michael Bernardin

Adriano Michael Bernardin

Society, Environment and Development

Graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Master's in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. PhD in Chemical ngineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Post-doctorate from the Universitat Jaume I (Spain) and the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.

Álvaro José Back

Álvaro José Back

Natural Environment

Graduated in Agronomy from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina and in Technology in Systems Analysis and Development from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense. Master's in Agricultural Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Viçosa. PhD in Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation from the Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Sul. Post-Doctorate from the Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Sul.

Birgit Harter Marques

Birgit Harter Marques

Natural Environment

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and graduated in Biosciences from the University of Tuebingen. Master's degree in Zoology from the University of Tuebingen. PhD in Natural Sciences from the University of Tuebingen.

Carlyle Torres Bezerra de Menezes

Carlyle Torres Bezerra de Menezes

Society, Environment and Development

Graduated in Mining Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. PhD in Mineral Engineering from the University of São Paulo. Post-doctorate from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.

Fernando Carvalho

Fernando Carvalho

Natural Environment

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense. Master's in Animal Biology from the Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Sul. PhD in Zoology from the Universidade Federal de Paraná.

Geraldo Milioli

Geraldo Milioli

Society, Environment and Development

Graduated in Social Sciences (Bachelor’s and Teaching Degree) from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Master's in Political Sociology from the
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. PhD in Department of Environment and Research Studies from the Faculty Environmental Studies and Production and Systems Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Post-doctorate from the Faculty of Environmental Studies (Canada) and the Universidade Federal de Paraná.

Guilherme Alves Elias

Guilherme Alves Elias

Natural Environment

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense. Graduated in Biological Sciences (Teaching Degree) from the Centro Universitário Leonardo da Vinci. Master's degree in Environmental Sciences from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense. PhD in Environmental Sciences from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense. Post-doctorate from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense.

Ismael Gonçalves Alves

Ismael Gonçalves Alves

Society, Environment and Development

Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Southern Santa Catarina. Master's degree in History from the State University of Santa Catarina. PhD in History from the Federal University of Paraná.

Jairo José Zocche

Jairo José Zocche

Natural Environment

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Santa Catarina. Master's degree in Ecology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. PhD in Botany from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Postdoctoral research at São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho.

Juliano Bitencourt Campos

Juliano Bitencourt Campos

Society, Environment and Development

Graduated in History from the University of Southern Santa Catarina. Master's degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Southern Santa Catarina. PhD in Quaternary, Materials and Cultures from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal, with diploma recognition in Brazil as a Doctor in Archaeology from the University of São Paulo. CNPq Productivity Research Fellow - Level 2.

Patrícia de Aguiar Amaral

Patrícia de Aguiar Amaral

Natural Environment

Graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Vale do Itajaí. Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Postdoctoral research at Université de Rennes1 (France).

Robson dos Santos

Robson dos Santos

Natural Environment

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Santa Catarina and graduated in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Southern Santa Catarina. Master's degree in Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. PhD in Mineral Engineering from the University of São Paulo.

Vanilde Citadini Zanette

Vanilde Citadini Zanette

Natural Environment

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Santa Catarina. Master's degree in Botany from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. PhD in Ecology and Natural Resources from the Federal University of São Carlos. Postdoctoral research at Royal Roads University (Canada).

Viviane Kraieski de Assunção

Viviane Kraieski de Assunção

Society, Environment and Development

Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Master's degree in Social Anthropology from the Federal University of Santa Catarina. PhD in Social Anthropology from the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Postdoctoral research at the Free University of Amsterdam (Netherlands).

Students

Meet the Master's and Doctoral students in our program

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Graduates

Discover the Master's and Doctoral graduates from our program

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Selection Process

Selection Process

To participate in the selection processes, please pay attention to the announcements below:

Scholarships

To apply for scholarships, please pay attention to the announcements.

Master's Degree

Selection Process: Master's and Doctorate in Environmental Sciences (Student)

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Selection Process: FAPESC / PPGCA

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Selection Process: PPGCA - Selection Process - CNPq Scholarships

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Selection Process: Electoral Process - Student Representatives

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Selection Process: Master's in Environmental Sciences (Student)

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Selection Process: Selection Process for Scholarships or Fees - PPGCA (Master's)

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Doctorate

Selection Process: Master's and Doctorate in Environmental Sciences (Student)

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Selection Process: Doctorate in Environmental Sciences (Student)

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Selection Process: Postdoctoral Selection Process - FAPESC

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Selection Process: Selection Process for Sandwich Doctorate Students (PDSE)

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Selection Process: Electoral Process - Student Representatives

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Selection Process: Selection Process for Scholarships or Fees - PPGCA (Doctorate)

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Selection Process: National Postdoctoral Program (PNPD) - MEC/CAPES - PPGCA

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Intellectual Production

The intellectual production in the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences stands out for creating new knowledge that drives science and innovation. This production results from rigorous scientific research and addresses critical issues ranging from ecosystem conservation to the sustainable development of urban and rural areas, valuing the knowledge of traditional peoples and communities in a perspective of articulation and convergence of knowledge.

Center for Studies and Research in Occupational Health - NEPST
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Dissertations

Access here and read the full Course Completion Papers of the Master's in Environmental Sciences.

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Theses

Access here and read the full Course Completion Papers of the Doctorate in Environmental Sciences.

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Impact on Society

The Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences prioritizes the development of research that addresses relevant socio-environmental issues for society. Through extension actions, events, courses, and applied projects, researchers work to improve the quality of life for local populations, promoting environmental education and sustainable resource management solutions. In this way, the program directly contributes to strengthening public policies and practices that benefit society as a whole, with an emphasis on sustainable regional development.

Internationalization

The Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences values global collaboration and encourages internationalization in all its activities. Through partnerships with world-renowned institutions, exchanges, and international co-supervisions, our students and faculty have access to a diverse and intercultural knowledge network. This approach broadens research perspectives, empowers our students to operate in an increasingly complex global reality, and positions the program as a reference in innovative socio-environmental solutions, aligned with the current market demands and challenges, in the pursuit of building a socially just, ethical, and ecologically balanced society.

Ranking
of Evaluations

Ranking
5 concept CAPES

Documents

Documentation

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Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Dr. Carlyle Torres Bezerra de Menezes

Assistant Coordinator of the program

Assistant Coordinator of the program

Dr. Álvaro José Back

Program Secretary

Program Secretary

Michele Ribeiro

Do you have any questions?

Contact our office.

Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

(48)3431-2595

ppgca@unesc.net

Block P, Room 006.

News

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