Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal (PPGBA)
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About the Program
The Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) was founded in 1946 and is proud to be one of Brazil’s leading academic institutions, ranking as one of the top 15 universities in the country.
Our Graduate Program in Animal Biology (PPGBAstated in 1994 with the creation of the MSc degree. In 2007, our PhD programme was approved by the the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes). PPGBA scored Level 6 in the last Capes evaluation (scores go from 3 to 7). The Master’s course has a two-year duration, while the PhD can last four years. We currently count on 28 supervising professors, 4 admin staff, over 90 students and four main research areas: Biology and Animal Behaviour; Ecology; Applied Zoology; and Taxonomy. We encourage interdisciplinary innovative research and international collaborations.
People
Faculty members
Alexandre Almeida – Currículo Lattes – almeidaao@uol.com.br
André Esteves – Currículo Lattes – andresteves.ufpe@gmail.com
Artur Maia – Currículo Lates – arturmaia@gmail.com
Bruna Bezerra – Currículo Lattes – bruna.bezerra@ufpe.br
Carlos Perez – Currículo Lattes – jazintheking@gmail.com
Cláudia Rohde - Curriculo Lattes - claudia.rohde@yahoo.com.br
Débora Barbosa Lima - Currículo Lattes - debora.limamelo@ufpe.br
Diego Moraes – Currículo Lattes – d.a.moraes@gmail.com
Enrico Bernard – Currículo Lattes – enricob2@gmail.com
Giovanni Santos – Currículo Lattes – giovanni.santos@ufpe.br
Inara Leal – Currículo Lattes – inara.leal@pq.cnpq.br
João Lucas Feitosa - Currículo Lattes - feitosajll@gmail.com
João Pedro Souza Alves - Currículo Lattes - souzaalves1982@gmail.com
José Roberto Souza – Currículo Lattes – jrbsouzq@gmail.com
Leandro Vieira – Currículo Lattes – leandromanzoni@gmail.com
Luciana Iannuzzi – Currículo Lattes – lucianaiannuzzi@gmail.com
Monica Adam - Currículo Lattes - mogabrod@gmail.com
Paula Gomes – Currículo Lattes – bragagomes@hotmail.com
Paulo Santos – Currículo Lattes – pjp.santos@gmail.com
Paulo Carvalho – Currículo Lattes – pcarvalho@ufpe.br
Pedro Ivo - Curriculo Lattes - pedro.ivosimoes@ufpe.br
Pedro Nunes – Currículo Lattes – pedro.snunes@ufpe.br
Ralf Schamborn – Currículo Lattes – rs@ufpe.br
Rodrigo Torres – Currículo Lattes – rodrigotorres@ufpe.br
Rosangela Lessa – Currículo Lattes – rptlessa@gmail.com
Simão Vasconcelos Filho – Currículo Lattes – simaovasconcelos@yahoo.com.br
Ulisses Pinheiro – Currículo Lattes – ulisses.pinheiro@ufpe.br
Admin staff
PPGBA Coordination: ppgba.ufpe@gmail.com
Pedro M S Nunes – Coordinator (pedro.snunes@ufpe.br)
Leandro M. Vieira – Debuty Coordinator (leandro.mvieira@ufpe.br )
Manoel Guimarães Jr. – Secretary (manoel.oswaldo@ufpe.br)
Graduate courses
Our Postgrad programme in Animal Biology attends a global necessity for people working on Biodiversity related issues. The programme’s interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare students to become zoology researchers, academics, conservationists and decision makers.
MSc / 2-year course (minimum of one year). Includes undertaking compulsory and complementary classes, project seminar and partial data presentation, project development and dissertation writing and presentation.
PhD / 4-year course (minimum of 2 years). Includes undertaking compulsory and complementary classes, annual project seminar and partial data presentation, project development, Thesis writing and presentation.
For both the MSc and the PhD programmes, you will conduct an original research under close supervision of one of our faculty members. You will have the opportunity to attend classes in a diversity of topics in our graduate programme and other programmes within UFPE, discuss research in our seminars and have access to the university and lab facilities.
Research
Research areas: our graduate course has four main areas: Animal biology and behaviour, Ecology, Taxonomy and Applied Zoology. Students’ projects cover a wide range of topics including animal ecology, welfare, physiology, behaviour, cognition, evolution, taxonomy, systematics, conservation, animal management, sustainable exploration of biodiversity, effects of climate change on biodiversity, bioacoustics, species habitat modelling, etc.
Research groups: you can find information about the research groups by contacting our faculty members directly and checking their CVs and websites. Find below some of the lab websites:
http://www.ufpe.br/mastozoologia
http://ornitolab.wixsite.com/ufpe
http://uspinheiro.wix.com/labpor
https://www.ufpe.br/etologia/
https://www.ufpe.br/ecoplan/
http://uspinheiro.wixsite.com/labpor
https://www.herpetologiaufpe.com/
How to apply?
The Application process was made fairly simple and you can now apply online by sending all the required documents scanned to this email: ppgba@ufpe.br . Calls are open twice a year, usually in May-June and October-November. You will need a degree in Biology or close related areas. Please refer to our application call packs for further information. Classes usually start in March and August.
We encourage prospective students to contact a relevant faculty member before submitting an application. This is to make sure that the relevant guiding expertise will be available for your proposed research project and personal research interests. A list of our faculty members, CVs and their contact details are available in our webpage.
Scholarships and grants
International students can receive CAPES, CNPq or FACEPE scholarships upon availability. MSc scholarships can last up to 24 months and PhD scholarships up to 48 months. Contact us for more details on scholarships and grants.
Accommodation
There is no official University Halls for postgrad students at UFPE. Students usually share accommodation in rented apartments and houses close to the campus area. You can contact us and we will put you in contact with the students’ rep so that you can find details on the current available accomodation to share with PPGBA and other Postgrad students.
Contact us
Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal
Centro Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s-n, Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE
Cep. 50670-901
E-mail: ppgba@ufpe.br
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the entry requirements?
You will need a degree in Biology or close related areas.
After application, there are two entry exams: a general knowledge one for MSc applicants only and an English language one for both MSc and PhD applicants. However, if you are an English native speaker, you can request to skip the English exam (whenever it is required in our application process) and will be granted full score on that part of the application process.
Why choose our graduate programme?
Brazil is one of the richest countries in terms of biodiversity! The amount of animal species living in the Brazilian forests, rivers and ocean coast makes it an exciting and unique place to study several aspects of zoology.
The Graduate Programme in Animal Biology at UFPE is one of the most important and qualified graduate programmes in Zoology in Northeast Brazil. In 22 years of PPGBA, over 80% of the students that passed through our programme carried on working on Biodiversity related jobs or went on further studies after graduation (e.g. a PhD or Postdoctoral position). Our graduate students follow a variety of career paths, from academia to non-governmental organisations. We have generated lecturers, professors, NGO activists, governmental environmental leaders, biodiversity consultants, biodiversity related industry researchers, etc.
What are the application documents?
1) Application form
2) Copy of Passport
3) 01 photo 3 x 4 cm;
4) Documented CV as specified in the application call.
5) 04 page project and abstract
6) Copy of Degree diploma
7) Copy of Degree grades summary
How much are the tuition fees?
No tuition fees are charged in our graduate courses.
What are the living costs?
We recommend students to budget a minimum of R$1,500 / mo (one thousand five hundred reais per month). This amount should cover shared accommodation, food, modest entertainment and transport. You may require more than this amount depending on your lifestyle. You can find more information on how to live in Recife in the UFPE international students guidelines:
https://www.ufpe.br/cooperacaointernacional/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=151
https://www.ufpe.br/cooperacaointernacional/images/documento/Mariana/student%20guide%20english%202016%20online.pdfthis.
What are the visa and immigration requirements?
You will need a student visa to study in Brazil. You can apply for one in the Brazilian consulate in your country once you have been accepted to study with us. You can find out more information on visa requirements on the Brazilian Government website – immigration and Visa news:
http://www.brazilgovnews.gov.br/welcome-to-brazil/coming-to-brazil
Can I work in Brazil?
Please check the Brazilian Consulate visa information webpage to obtain further information on visa, immigration and working in Brazil.
Can I study Portuguese as a foreign language at UFPE?
The Centre for Arts and Communication at UFPE offers Portuguese language classes for foreigner students wanting to improve their communication skills in Portuguese. Please check their website for further information:
https://www.ufpe.br/cac/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=203&Itemid=166
Do I need to be proficient in Portuguese language?
Bear in mind that most or our lectures are in Portuguese, thus you will need a certain level of understanding and writing skills in this language. You don’t need a proficiency test to enter the course though.
Testimonies
Rebecca Umeed / Our PhD graduate from Scotland
"My experience as a foreign student at UFPE was extremely positive. A broad range of classes, often including field trips, were offered in the post-graduate programme. The professors were very passionate and supportive, presenting well-structured lectures while also creating a positive learning atmosphere. The programme encourages students to present work at national and international conferences and to act as co-supervisors for undergraduate students, preparing students for a life in academia. The dissertation aspect of the programme allows students to explore data collection and analysis in a broad range of biological topics and encourages students to become more independent in their research. Overall, during my experience at UFPE I learned valuable skills that I will carry with me for life"
Mariana Delgado / one of our PhD alumni
"Soy Mariana Delgado, venezolana, bióloga y trabajo con ecología y conservación de murciélagos, actualmente enfocada en el uso de Sistemas de Información Geográfica y otras herramientas espaciales computacionales. A finales de 2013 decidí aplicar a una convocatoria de doctorado con uno de los mejores investigadores de Brasil en mi área - el Doctor Enrico Bernard. Dicho investigador trabaja en el Programa de Posgrado de Biología Animal de la Universidad Federal de Pernambuco, quien me oriento y ayudo en todo el proceso de selección desde Venezuela. Gane la convocatoria con beca de estudios y fue así que en marzo de 2014 llegue a Recife, Brasil. Hasta ahora puedo decir que ha sido una experiencia personal y profesional muy enriquecedora. Fui muy bien acogida por los compañeros, personal administrativo y por los profesores. Ha sido una etapa llena de aprendizajes, buenos profesores, excelentes momentos y personas inolvidables. Estoy muy contenta en haber llegado aquí!"