Overview

The Graduate Program in Genetics and Plant Breeding (GP-GPB), based at the Department of Genetics of ESALQ/USP, began in 1964 at the Master's level and since 1970 at the Doctoral level. The GP-GPB is one of the pioneers at USP, being the oldest in its creation, in training human resources in Genetics and Plant Breeding in the country. The GP-GPB has a solid, consistent, and innovative history in Genetics studies in Brazil, with international recognition. Moreover, the PPG-GMP is one of the top programs in the Agricultural Sciences Area in Brazil, having trained over 1,000 professionals who work in the development of agriculture and basic sciences in public and private institutions.

The GP-GPB offers courses that can be classified as introductory, providing a general and advanced base, where discussions are debated in essential areas for professional development in genetics applied to agriculture and basic sciences. The program's faculty have projects funded by Research Funding Agencies at the Federal and São Paulo state levels, with research mostly conducted in collaboration with graduate students and international institutions. Our program features a modern laboratory environment and offers facilities for research in greenhouses and field experiments.

Our program's faculty serve as reviewers or editors for leading worldwide journals in the area. Self-motivated and high-performing students can participate in collaborative projects with International Research Institutions and within dual-degree programs. GP-GPB graduates successfully work in a wide range of organizations including universities, and public and private research institutes, both in Brazil and abroad, where they establish leadership in their fields.

Scope

Our students aim at research related to plant genetics ranging from cultivated, native, or model species, including polyploids, as well as the molecular aspects of their interaction with microorganisms and other organisms. The faculty of the program work in the following major areas of knowledge: Quantitative Genetics, Genetic Statistics and Breeding, Molecular Genetics and Systems Biology, and Population Genetics, Evolution, Conservation, and Cytogenetics.

Vision, Mission, and Values

The Mission of the Graduate Program in Genetics and Plant Breeding (GP-GPB) at ESALQ/USP is to educate excellent Master's and Doctoral graduates capable of developing new knowledge, working in both the public and private sectors and in teaching and research in Genetics. To foster high-quality fundamental science, the applied results of which should lead to the country's economic and social development.

Our Program's Vision is to be nationally and internationally recognized as one of the best Genetics and Plant Breeding programs, maintaining its leadership in all its areas of operation. To stay at the forefront of knowledge considering the current and future needs of our country, meeting society's demands with an innovative approach.

Among the key values ​​we consider essential for fulfilling this mission and realizing our vision, we highlight: Integrity. Respect for diversity. Teamwork and collaborative spirit. Ethics in research practice. Innovation and creativity. Social and environmental responsibility. Indissociability of teaching and research activities.

Degrees granted

Master and Doctor in Sciences, major in Genetics and Plant Breeding

Accreditation

The graduate program in Genetics and Plant Breeding is accredited by CAPES, a governmental organization which is responsible for assessing and accrediting higher education institutions in Brazil, with a grading scale ranging 1-7, where 7 is the maximum score. In the most recent assessment (2017-2020), the Genetics and Plant Breeding program scored 7.

Digital library of theses and dissertations

Theses and dissertations defended at the University of São Paulo starting in 2001 have been made available for online research and download. The project is associated with the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), sponsored by UNESCO and provides the option of browsing the Genetics and Plant Breeding program catalog by thesis, dissertation, author or college.