The Chemistry Post-Graduate Program

Presentation

The post-graduate program in chemistry (PPGQUIM) aims to train highly qualified chemists to act as researchers in industry and academia throughout the state of Minas Gerais and Brazil. The PPGQUIM aims to make Brazil and in particular Minas Gerais,  a more attractive place for international companies to establish production plants and research and development centers (R & D) in the region. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research is focused on developing novel materials with technological applications; synthesis and biological testing of bioactive molecules to combat epidemics pertinent to Brazil ; developing analytical methods for the identification and quantification of contaminants in industrial waste and developing new technologies for wastewater treatment. The research programs are carried out in well-equipped laboratories that provide a safe and comfortable environment for graduate students to carry out research. The presence of state of the art instruments allows the faculty to conduct high level research to an international standard and publish their findings in peer reviewed journals.


Where are we?

The Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (Federal University of Ouro Preto or UFOP) has approximately 10,000 students in the city. UFOP was established in August 21, 1969 from the merger of two higher education institutions: the School Pharmacy of Ouro Preto, founded in 1839, and School of Mines of Ouro Preto founded in 1876, both located in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. Today it is one of the most important universities of Minas Gerais and also Brazil.  UFOP is located in Ouro Preto which is an important historical city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a former colonial mining town designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding Baroque architecture. Ouro Preto is located about 100 kilometers from Belo Horizonte, 400 km from Rio de Janeiro, and 680 kilometers from São Paulo. The nearest convenient airports are those of Belo Horizonte, especially that of Confins. From there, you can get to Ouro Preto by car or bus.

                                                                                                               

About the Course

The Masters course is typically 24 months in duration but can be concluded earlier dependning on the development of the research project. A Master’s monthly scholarships of R$ 1,500 (one-thousand five-hundred Brazilian Reais) is paid by the host university throughout the regular study period, for up to a maximum of 24 months. The course consists of four (4) compulsory classes composed of an advanced module, two (2) elective modules and the attendance of monthly seminars which all combine to a total of 150 hours of class time. In addition to completing these modules, a research-dissertation must be presented and defended to an external examiner within 24 months of initiating the course.

Research Lines

Environmental Chemistry: Developing new technologies for the treatment of water and wastewater and the development of analytical methods for monitoring water quality, degree of chemical and biological contamination.

Materials Chemistry: Chemical-mineralogical characterization of minerals, synthesis and the study of the properties of nanostructured electronic ceramic materials. 

Catalysis: Studies on the preparation and characterization of heterogeneous catalysts and their applications in obtaining products of commercial interest.

Medicinal Chemistry: Discovery of new drugs of natural or synthetic origin and involves the development of new synthetic methodologies and their applications in the synthesis of bioactive molecules or the isolation of biologically active natural products from plants and fungi.

Chemical Modification of Biopolymers: Chemical modification of lignocellulosic materials (pulp, bagasse and wood sawdust) for use as adsorbents to complex heavy metals, toxic oxyanions or toxic organic compounds in aqueous solutions or effluent.

How to Enroll?
The course is intended for anyone with an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Pharmacy and related areas. Interested foreign students should enter in contact with the course coordinator by email to learn more about the selection process and enrollment dates.

E-mail: ppgquimica@iceb.ufop.br