Selection Criteria

Master's Program

The selection process will consist of two (2) stages.

In the first stage, all applicants will be required to complete a written essay, which is eliminatory and based on a research proposal corresponding to the applicant's first-choice position indicated in the application. The minimum passing grade is 7.0 (seven).

The second stage will consist of an interview, including an oral examination covering the selected research line, as well as an evaluation of the applicant's academic transcript and Curriculum Lattes. The evaluation will take into account the applicant's participation in undergraduate research activities and scientific output. Applicants' curricula will be scored according to the following criteria:

  • Undergraduate academic transcript: 3 (three) points will be awarded for a cumulative GPA between 8.6 and 10.0; 2 (two) points for a cumulative GPA between 7.1 and 8.5; and 1 (one) point for a cumulative GPA between 5.0 and 7.0.
  • Undergraduate research scholarships awarded by funding agencies, documented extension activities, and documented participation in research projects: up to a maximum of 3 (three) points, with 0.5 (half) point awarded for every six (6) months of participation. (Note: each activity must be clearly identified in the Curriculum Lattes.)
  • Papers presented at scientific meetings: up to a maximum of 2 (two) points, with 0.3 point awarded for each full paper, 0.2 point for each extended abstract, and 0.1 point for each abstract.
  • Technical production (including products, processes or techniques, patents, registrations, applications, or software): up to a maximum of 2 (two) points, with 0.5 (half) point awarded for each item.
  • Articles published or accepted for publication in indexed journals: up to a maximum of 3 (three) points, with 1 (one) point awarded per article.
  • Books or book chapters with an ISBN: up to a maximum of 1 (one) point, with 0.5 (half) point awarded for each item.

Both stages of the Master's selection process are classificatory. Final scores will range from 0 (zero) to 10 (ten) and will be calculated as the average of the scores obtained in the two stages. Applicants will be ranked in descending order based on their final scores. The minimum passing grade is 7.0 (seven). If more than one applicant qualifies for the same position, the final selection criterion will be the degree of alignment between the research proposal presented in the written examination and the research line associated with the position for which the application was submitted.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member responsible for the position before submitting their application.

Both the written examination and the interview will be conducted in Portuguese.

 
Doctoral Program

The selection process will consist of two (2) stages.
 
The first stage (Curriculum Evaluation – based on the Lattes Platform) will assess applicants' curricula according to the following criteria:
 
  • Master's academic transcript: 3 (three) points will be awarded for a cumulative GPA between 8.6 and 10.0 (or grade A); 2 (two) points for a cumulative GPA between 7.1 and 8.5 (or grade B); and 1 (one) point for a cumulative GPA between 5.0 and 7.0 (or grade C).
  • Undergraduate research scholarships awarded by funding agencies, documented extension activities, and documented participation in research projects: up to a maximum of 2 (two) points, with 0.5 (half) point awarded for every six (6) months of participation. (Note: each activity must be clearly identified in the Curriculum Lattes.)
  • Papers presented at scientific meetings in areas related to the proposed doctoral research: up to a maximum of 2 (two) points, with 0.3 point awarded for each full paper, 0.2 point for each extended abstract, and 0.1 point for each abstract.
  • Technical production (including products, processes or techniques, patents, registrations, applications, or software): up to a maximum of 2 (two) points, with 0.5 (half) point awarded for each item.
  • Articles published or accepted for publication in indexed journals: up to a maximum of 3 (three) points, with 1 (one) point awarded per article.
  • Books or book chapters with an ISBN: up to a maximum of 1 (one) point, with 0.5 (half) point awarded for each item.
 
Only applicants who obtain a score of 7.0 (seven) or higher in the Curriculum Evaluation will proceed to the second stage (admission examination).
 
The second stage will consist of an admission examination, including an oral presentation of the research proposal (maximum of 10 minutes) using audiovisual resources (PowerPoint presentation), followed by an oral examination conducted by the Examination Committee.
 
The admission examination is intended to assess the applicant's readiness for doctoral studies, knowledge of their field of research, and understanding of the proposed research project. It will be held within 30 (thirty) days after the publication of the first-stage results. The date and time of each applicant's admission examination will be announced on the program's website.
 
Each member of the Examination Committee will assign one score (0–10) based on the alignment of the research proposal with one of the program's research lines and its suitability for the doctoral program, taking into account the originality, feasibility, and potential contribution of the proposed research to its field, and one score (0–10) based on the applicant's oral presentation and performance during the oral examination.
 
Applicants who receive a score below 7.0 (seven) from the Examination Committee during this stage will be disqualified.
 
Both stages of the doctoral selection process are classificatory and scored on a scale from 0 (zero) to 10 (ten). Applicants' final ranking, in descending order, will be based on the average of the scores obtained in the two stages. If more than one applicant competes for the same position after the second stage, the deciding criterion will be the degree of alignment between the proposed research plan and the research line associated with the position for which the application was submitted. To be admitted, applicants must obtain a final average score of at least 7.0 (seven) across the two stages.
 
If applicants competing for the same position remain tied after the second stage, the tie will be resolved at the discretion of the faculty member responsible for the position for which the application was submitted.
 
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member responsible for the position before submitting their application.
 
The final results for successful applicants will be announced according to the schedule set forth in the call for applications.