Curricular Structure

During the CAPES quadrennial (2017-2020), the curricular structure of the PPGCEM (Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering) was revised to better meet the needs of students. In 2017, the reformulation of course offerings began, adopting either a concentrated or regular schedule and reducing the workload of elective courses to 2 credits. A new course, Redação de Textos Científicos e Tecnológicos (Scientific and Technical Writing), was also created to support the preparation of articles and reports. In 2018, a new curricular structure was approved, consolidating a single concentration area, “Materiais” (Materials), with five research lines: Engenharia de Superfícies (Surface Engineering), Biomateriais (Biomaterials), Energias Renováveis (Renewable Energies), Materiais Compósitos (Composite Materials), Materiais Forenses e Ambientais (Forensic and Environmental Materials), and Materiais Nanoestruturados (Nanostructured Materials).

In 2023, the regulations were updated to align with CAPES guidelines. The credit system maintained 20 credits for the master’s program (10 mandatory) and 40 for the doctoral program (15 mandatory). Finally, the new regulations reinforce the flexibility for students to take courses in other programs at UFPel or other institutions, provided there is approval from the program council.

Regular courses are classified as mandatory or elective. The mandatory courses for both master’s and doctoral students are: Ciência dos Materiais I (Materials Science I), Docência Orientada (Guided Teaching), Seminários I e II (Seminars I and II), Redação de Artigos Científicos e Tecnológicos (Scientific and Technical Article Writing), and Elaboração de Dissertação/Tese (Thesis/Dissertation Preparation). The elective courses for master’s and doctoral students include: Biomateriais (Biomaterials), Bioengenharia Aplicada ao Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais (Bioengineering Applied to Biomaterials Development), Ciência dos Materiais II (Materials Science II), Estatística Aplicada à Engenharia (Applied Statistics in Engineering), Filmes Finos (Thin Films), Gerenciamento de Projetos e Empreendedorismo (Project Management and Entrepreneurship), Materiais Compósitos (Composite Materials), Mecânica da Fratura (Fracture Mechanics), Nanocomposites (Nanocomposites), Nanotecnologia (Nanotechnology), Patologia da Madeira (Wood Pathology), Processamento de Materiais (Materials Processing), Processamento de Materiais I (Materials Processing I), Processamento de Materiais II (Materials Processing II), Simulação Computacional de Materiais (Computational Simulation of Materials), Simulação de Materiais (Materials Simulation), Técnicas Analíticas em Caracterização de Materiais I (Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization I), Técnicas Analíticas em Caracterização de Materiais II (Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization II), Técnicas Analíticas em Caracterização de Materiais III (Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization III), Técnicas Analíticas em Caracterização de Materiais VI (Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization VI), Tecnologia da Madeira (Wood Technology), Termodinâmica (Thermodynamics), and Tribologia (Tribology). At the end of 2024, after approval by the PPGCEM council, the Graduate Chamber, and COCEPE, two new courses were created: Elaboração de Dissertação e Tese em Materiais (Thesis and Dissertation Preparation in Materials), aimed at students in the final stages of their master’s or doctoral work, and Nanotecnologia e Aplicações Biológicas (Nanotechnology and Biological Applications), designed for practical applications within the Technological Hub. Elective courses may be offered in a concentrated format, subject to approval by the program council.

List of Courses Offered by PPGCEM and Their Respective Syllabi:

Bioengenharia Aplicada ao Desenvolvimento de Biomateriais (Bioengineering Applied to Biomaterials Development)
Code: 1118087 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Tissue engineering, biological substitutes, organ restoration. Inducing factors (growth factors), responsive cells (stem cells), and scaffolds (polymeric matrix). Microbial world; morphology of microorganisms; molecular biology techniques; applications of microbiology in biomaterials development.

Biomateriais (Biomaterials)
Code: 1118073 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Biomaterials: classification and selection. Biomaterials as substitutes for soft and hard tissues. Materials for cardiovascular systems. Surface modification. Bioactive coatings. Surface characterization techniques. Bone physiology. Bone-implant interaction. Biological performance evaluation of materials (in vitro and in vivo). Natural raw materials. Biodegradable polymers.

Ciência dos Materiais I (Materials Science I)
Code: 1110010 – Credits: 4
Syllabus: Introduction to Materials Science. Chemical Bonds. Atomic Structure. Structure of Crystalline Solids. Imperfections in Solids. Diffusion in Solids. Mechanical Properties. Phase Diagrams. Ceramic Materials. Polymeric Materials. Composite Materials.

Elaboração de Dissertação e Tese em Materiais (Thesis and Dissertation Preparation in Materials)
Code: 22000585 – Credits: 4
Syllabus: Guidance on the structuring and writing process of theses and dissertations in materials science, covering research methodologies, content organization, scientific norms, and strategies for technical writing and literature review. Discussion of fundamental aspects of chapter construction, critical literature review, preparation of figures and tables, and submission for defense and publication. Classes include textual revision practices and analysis of relevant references.

Gestão de Projetos e Empreendedorismo (Project Management and Entrepreneurship)
Code: 1118075 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Fundamentals of project management with a focus on planning, execution, and control. Tools and methodologies for efficient resource and risk management. Concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business creation. Strategies for developing startups and technological projects in academic and industrial environments.

Materiais Compósitos (Composite Materials)
Code: 1118076 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Definitions, requirements, benefits, and limitations. Types and structures of reinforcement. Types of matrices. Adhesion and reinforcement/matrix interface. Processing of composite materials. Thermal and mechanical behavior. Applications.

Mecânica da Fratura (Fracture Mechanics)
Code: 1118077 – Credits: 1
Syllabus: Stresses and strains. General principles of Material Strength. Load analysis. Analysis of parts subjected to simple and combined loads. Deformation energy. General properties of materials. Study of the main causes of material failure. Review of stress states. Stress and strain-controlled fatigue. Cycle counting and damage accumulation. Linear elastic and elastoplastic fracture mechanics. R-curves, J-integral, CTOD. Fracture mechanics applied to fatigue and analysis of practical cases.

Nanocomposites (Nanocomposites)
Code: 22000359 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Introduction to nanomaterials and nanocomposites for advanced applications in manufacturing, transportation, energy, environment, and packaging. Nanocomposites in nature. Dispersion, mixing of nanoparticles and liquids, percolation theory. Fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites and modification of nanoparticles for controlled functionality. Mechanical, electrical, thermal, and gas diffusion properties. Nanofibers. Health and safety of nanocomposites. Research topics and patent evaluations.

Nanotecnologia (Nanotechnology)
Code: 1118078 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Fundamentals of nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and their applications. Synthesis and characterization methods. Physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. Applications in electronic devices, biomaterials, sensors, and catalysis.

Nanotecnologia e Aplicações Biológicas (Nanotechnology and Biological Applications)
Code: 1118079 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Application of nanomaterials in healthcare. Nanoparticles for controlled drug release. Nanotechnology applied to biomedical diagnostics and advanced therapies.

Patologia da Madeira (Wood Pathology)
Code: 1118080 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Main wood pathologies. Mechanisms of wood deterioration and protection. Chemical and physical treatments for preservation. Applications in civil construction and furniture industry.

Processamento de Materiais II (Materials Processing II)
Code: 1118081 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Advanced processing of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials. Manufacturing and fabrication techniques. Thermal and mechanical processes.

Redação de Textos Científicos e Tecnológicos (Scientific and Technical Writing)
Code: 1118082 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Academic and scientific writing techniques. Structuring of articles, reports, and patents. Ethics in scientific publication.

Seminários I (Seminars I)
Code: 1118083 – Credits: 3
Syllabus: Presentation and discussion of ongoing research in materials science and engineering.

Seminários II (Seminars II)
Code: 1118084 – Credits: 3
Syllabus: Continuation of Seminars I, with a deeper focus on critical analysis of scientific works.

Simulação Computacional de Materiais (Computational Simulation of Materials)
Code: 1118085 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Computational simulation methods for materials study. Molecular modeling, molecular dynamics, and statistical mechanics.

TACM I (Técnicas Analíticas de Caracterização em Materiais I – Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization I)
Code: 1110011 – Credits: 2
Syllabus:
Unit 1. Morphological Characterization Techniques: Optical microscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Transmission electron microscopy; Atomic force microscopy.
Unit 2. Chemical and Structural Characterization Techniques: UV/Vis spectroscopy; Infrared spectroscopy; RAMAN spectroscopy; X-ray fluorescence; X-ray diffraction.

TACM II (Técnicas Analíticas de Caracterização em Materiais II – Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization II)
Code: 1110012 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Tensile testing; Bending, compression, and folding tests; Hardness and impact testing; Fatigue testing; Creep testing; Evaluation.

TACM III (Técnicas Analíticas de Caracterização em Materiais III – Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization III)
Code: 1110013 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Fundamentals of thermal properties; Types of techniques used in thermal analysis; Thermogravimetry measurement methodology; Data collection in thermogravimetry.

TACM IV (Técnicas Analíticas de Caracterização em Materiais IV – Analytical Techniques in Materials Characterization IV)
Code: 0950055 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Sampling and sample preservation, representative samples, types of samples: composite samples, individual samples, integrated samples. Sample preparation: Methods of sample decomposition by wet digestion, involving open and closed systems with conventional and microwave heating; combustion in open systems via dry and low-temperature dry methods, and sample preparation via fusion.

Tecnologia da Madeira (Wood Technology)
Code: 1110170 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Definition of wood anatomy concepts. Anatomical structure of coniferous and hardwood. Technical standards for physical and mechanical wood testing. Physical properties. Influence of physical properties on wood utilization. Mechanical properties (Mechanical testing with commercial species). Quality aspects for main wood uses. Wood for panel production, pulp, furniture, energy. Characterization of wood defects and wood classification standards.

Termodinâmica (Thermodynamics)
Code: 1110171 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Thermodynamics of solids: Phase equilibrium in solid-liquid and solid systems. Phase diagrams of composite structures and alloys. Kinetics of phase change processes. Reactions in the solid state. Diffusion in solids. Redox reactions. Types of interfaces. Solidification, pure metals, and alloys. Computational thermodynamics.

Tribologia (Tribology)
Code: 22000325 – Credits: 2
Syllabus: Enable students to understand the physical nature of friction and its consequences. Understand the definition of wear, its mechanisms, and associated control methods. Understand the principles of zero-wear design. Understand various types of lubrication and lubricants, enabling students to select, specify, and qualify the main types of lubricants used in industry.