Credits

In USP graduate studies, academic progress is measured in credit units. Each credit unit equals 15 hours of activity (classes, seminars, laboratory work, dissertation or thesis preparation, etc.).

Credits are divided into two categories:

• Course credits: obtained by passing courses in the program or other recognized programs
• Dissertation/thesis credits: attributed to research work and final work writing

Important limit: Course credits cannot exceed 50% of the total credits required for the degree. This ensures that most of the student’s time is dedicated to research.

The Bylaws establish the minimum credits that each program must require:

Graduate courses are evaluated with the following grades:

Attendance: Minimum attendance of 75% in scheduled activities of each course is required.

Failure: Courses in which the student failed may be retaken. Both grades appear on the academic transcript, but only the most recent is considered for credit completion purposes.

The Bylaws allow part of course credits to be obtained through special credits, granted for relevant academic activities performed during the course:

• Publication of articles in journals with recognized editorial board
• Presentation of complete works at scientific conferences
• Patent filing
• Participation in the Teaching Improvement Program (PAE), limited to 20% of total course credits

The Graduate Program in Chemistry requires the following number of credits for degree completion:

Course credits must be obtained through courses offered by the Program or other recognized graduate programs, in addition to special credits for relevant academic activities.

Each course has mandatory courses that should preferably be taken in the first semester:

Master’s (4 mandatory credits):

• QFL5930 – Safety Notions in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Research Responsibility (2 credits)
• QFL5939 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry I (2 credits)

Doctorate (6 mandatory credits):

• QFL5930 – Safety Notions in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Research Responsibility (2 credits)
• QFL5940 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry II (2 credits)
• QFL5942 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry: Seminar Presentation Practice (2 credits)

Direct Doctorate (8 mandatory credits):

• QFL5930 – Safety Notions in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Research Responsibility (2 credits)
• QFL5939 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry I (2 credits)
• QFL5940 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry II (2 credits)
• QFL5942 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry: Seminar Presentation Practice (2 credits)

Exemption: Doctorate students who completed mandatory courses during their Master’s in the same Program are exempt from retaking them. However, they must fulfill the minimum credit load through other courses.

Master’s (6 mandatory credits):

• QFL5930 or QBQ5744 – Safety Notions in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Research Responsibility (2 credits) — preferably in the first 12 months
• QFL5939 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry I (2 credits)
• QFL5940 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry II (2 credits)

Doctorate (6 mandatory credits):

• QFL5930 or QBQ5744 – Safety Notions in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Research Responsibility (2 credits) — exempt if already taken in Master’s
• QFL5941 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry III (2 credits)
• QFL5942 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry IV (2 credits)

Direct Doctorate (10 mandatory credits):

• QFL5930 or QBQ5744 – Safety Notions in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Research Responsibility (2 credits)
• QFL5939 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry I (2 credits)
• QFL5940 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry II (2 credits)
• QFL5941 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry III (2 credits)
• QFL5942 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry IV (2 credits)

Upon student request and with advisor approval, special credits may be granted for relevant academic activities. The maximum limit of special credits is 50% of total required course credits:

Documentation: The granting of special credits is conditional on presenting supporting documentation. For articles, patents and conference papers, it is also required that the production be linked to the student’s research project.

Request special credits through Sabiá System: Access System

The maximum limit of special credits is defined by course:

The student must have completed a minimum number of course credits by the qualification exam date:

Exception for level change: Master’s students requesting level change to Direct Doctorate with institutional scholarship change must have 100% of course credits completed at the time of qualification (30 credits).