Regulation 2020

Article 1 – The new Regulation of the Graduate Program in Chemistry is hereby approved, as set forth in the annex to this Resolution.

Article 2 – The option for this Regulation, in accordance with the new Regimento de Pós-Graduação, may occur within 12 (twelve) months from the date of publication of this Resolution.

Article 3 – This Resolution shall enter into force on the date of its publication.

Article 4 – Contrary provisions are hereby revoked, especially Resolutions CoPGr 6656, of 12/17/2013 and 7076, of 06/29/2015 (Process 09.1.5799.1.5).

Pro-Rectory of Graduate Studies of the University of São Paulo, November 17, 2020.

CARLOS G. CARLOTTI JR Pro-Rector of Graduate Studies

PEDRO VITORIANO DE OLIVEIRA General Secretary

For registration in the selection process, candidates must present the documents listed in the public notice, available on the Program’s website and published in the Official Gazette of the State of São Paulo.

II.2.1 Candidates for admission to the Master’s, Doctoral, and Direct Doctoral programs must choose one of two possible access routes:

II.2.1.1 General Chemistry Knowledge Examination (ECGQ), held periodically by the CCP with a specific public notice.

II.2.1.2 GRE Chemistry Subject Test (Graduate Record Examination), administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

II.2.2 Candidates who choose the ECGQ will be ranked by the scores obtained, with the following considered approved:

a) for the Master’s program, those who obtain a score equal to or greater than 5.0;

b) for the Doctoral program, those who obtain a score equal to or greater than 5.0 and hold a Master’s degree issued or validated by a graduate program recognized by Capes;

c) for the Direct Doctoral program, those who obtain a score equal to or greater than 5.0 and present a letter of acceptance provided by the future advisor.

II.2.3 Candidates who choose the GRE will be ranked by the scores obtained, with the following considered approved:

a) for the Master’s program, when classified above score 700 on the Subject Test Chemistry;

b) for the Doctoral program, when classified above score 700 on the Subject Test Chemistry and hold a Master’s degree issued or validated by a graduate program recognized by Capes, equivalent or recognized by USP;

c) for the Direct Doctoral program, those who are classified above score 700 on the Subject Test Chemistry and present a letter of acceptance provided by the future advisor.

II.2.4 Approval in the selection process does not automatically guarantee enrollment, and the candidate must provide all documentation required in the public notice in a timely manner. The total number of approved candidates according to the criteria established in items II.2.2 and II.2.3 is limited to the number of available positions, which will be announced in the selection process public notice. In case of a tie, a new score will be calculated excluding the questions in which the candidates obtained the highest score, and so on, until the tie is broken.

III.1 In the Master’s program, the deadline for dissertation submission is 36 months.

III.2 In the Doctoral program, for holders of a master’s degree, the deadline for thesis submission is 56 months.

III.3 In the Doctoral program, without prior obtainment of a master’s degree (Direct Doctoral), the deadline for thesis submission is 68 months.

III.4 In exceptional and duly justified cases, students may request an extension of up to a maximum of 4 months in the Master’s, Doctoral, and Direct Doctoral programs.

IV.1 The Master’s student must complete a minimum of credit units as follows: 160 credit units, with 30 in coursework and 130 in the dissertation.

IV.2 The Doctoral student, holder of a Master’s degree from USP or recognized by it, must complete a minimum of credit units as follows: 320 credit units, with 40 in coursework and 280 in the thesis.

IV.3 The Doctoral student, without prior obtainment of a Master’s degree, must complete a minimum of credit units as follows: 330 credit units, with 50 in coursework and 280 in the thesis.

The credit units in required courses shall be 6 (six), 6 (six), and 10 (ten) credits for the Master’s, Doctoral, or Direct Doctoral programs, respectively.

IV.4.1 The required courses for Master’s students are:

• QFL5930 or QBQ5744 – “Notions of Safety in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Responsibility in Research” (2 credits). The student should take this course, preferably, within the first 12 months after admission.
• QFL5939 – “Advanced Topics in Chemistry I” (2 credits)
• QFL5940 – “Advanced Topics in Chemistry II” (2 credits)

IV.4.2 The required courses for Doctoral students are:

• QFL5930 or QBQ5744 – “Notions of Safety in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Responsibility in Research” (2 credits). The student should take this course, preferably, within the first 12 months after admission. Students who have already taken the course do not need to take it again; however, they must take other courses to complete the required credits.
• QFL5941 – “Advanced Topics in Chemistry III” (2 credits)
• QFL5942 – “Advanced Topics in Chemistry IV” (2 credits)

IV.4.3 The required courses for Direct Doctoral students are:

• QFL5930 or QBQ5744 – “Notions of Safety in Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories, Ethics and Responsibility in Research” (2 credits). The student should take this course, preferably, within the first 12 months after admission.
• 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)

Special credits may be granted, up to a maximum of 8 (eight), 12 (twelve), and 16 (sixteen) credits for the Master’s, Doctoral, and Direct Doctoral programs, respectively.

IV.5.1 Maximum of 3 (three) credits for each complete work published, as author or co-author, in an international scientific journal with an editorial board;

IV.5.2 Maximum of 3 (three) credits for each international patent filed;

IV.5.3 Maximum of 2 (two) credits for each national patent filed;

IV.5.4 Maximum of 3 (three) credits for each book or book chapter of recognized scientific or technological merit;

IV.5.5 1 (one) credit for each complete work published in a national scientific journal with an editorial board;

IV.5.6 1 (one) credit for each complete work published in proceedings or similar;

IV.5.7 1 (one) credit for each participation, with work presentation, in a national scientific conference, limited to a total of 2 (two) credits in this category for Master’s, 2 (two) credits for Doctoral, and 4 (four) credits for Direct Doctoral;

IV.5.8 Maximum of 2 (two) credits for each participation, with work presentation, in an international scientific conference; limited to a total of 2 (two) credits in this category for Master’s, 4 (four) credits for Doctoral, and 4 (four) credits for Direct Doctoral;

IV.5.9 2 (two) credits for each semester participation in the Teaching Improvement Program (PAE), limited to a total of 4 (four) credits for Master’s, 4 (four) credits for Doctoral, and 8 (eight) credits for Direct Doctoral.

V.1.1 Students must demonstrate proficiency in English, for both Master’s and Doctoral and Direct Doctoral programs.

V.1.2 Master’s students must demonstrate proficiency within 18 (eighteen) months after admission.

V.1.3 Doctoral students must demonstrate proficiency within 24 (twenty-four) months after admission.

V.1.4 Direct Doctoral students must demonstrate proficiency within 30 (thirty) months after admission.

V.1.5 The student must demonstrate English proficiency by presenting proof of one of the following proficiency exams: TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TEAP, WAP, Cambridge, or equivalent exams, subject to CCP analysis upon student request, taken up to 5 (five) years before the date of exam presentation.

V.1.6 The minimum level required to demonstrate English proficiency:

V.1.7 Documented education equivalent to elementary, secondary, or higher education in a country where English is the first language will be accepted as demonstration of foreign language proficiency, for Master’s and Doctoral levels.

Course accreditation or re-accreditation is based on analysis of the syllabus, compatibility with the Program’s research lines, updated bibliography, specific competence of the professors responsible for the course, and a detailed report from a reviewer, with CCP consultation.

For re-accreditation, the regularity of course offering will also be considered.

Accreditation of non-face-to-face or hybrid courses will also be based on specific criteria established by the CaC.

In accreditation and re-accreditation proposals, course syllabi must be presented in Portuguese and English.

VI.2.1 Cancellation of course sections may occur upon request from the instructor, for reasons of force majeure, approved by the CCP.

VI.2.2 The CCP must issue an opinion on the request within a maximum period of 10 (ten) days.

VI.2.3 Cancellation of a course section due to lack of students will only occur if there are fewer than 3 (three) regularly enrolled students, upon request from the course instructor before the established start of classes.

VI.2.4 The maximum deadline for CCP deliberation is up to 2 (two) days before the class start date.

The Qualifying Examination is required for both Master’s and Doctoral and Direct Doctoral programs. Registration for the qualifying examination is the responsibility of the student and must be completed within the maximum deadline established by the program in this Regulation according to items VII.2.1, VII.3.1, and VII.4.1.

The examination must be held within a maximum of 90 (ninety) days after registration.

Graduate students who do not take the qualifying examination within the period stipulated for their program will be dismissed from the program, according to the Regimento de Pós-Graduação da USP.

Students who fail the qualifying examination may register to retake it only once, and must complete new registration within 60 (sixty) days after taking the first examination. The second examination must be taken within 90 (ninety) days after the second registration. If the failure persists, the student will be dismissed from the Program and will receive a certificate of courses completed.

The qualifying examination committee, for both Master’s and Doctoral and Direct Doctoral programs, shall consist of three examiners with a minimum qualification of doctorate, with at least two of them being Full Advisors of the Program.

The Advisor and co-advisor may not be part of the Examining Committee. The CCP will appoint the Chair of the Examining Committee, following, whenever possible, the hierarchy among its members.

VII.2.1 Master’s students must register for the examination within a maximum period of 18 (eighteen) months after their first enrollment in the program, having completed a minimum of 22 (twenty-two) credits in coursework and demonstrated English proficiency.

VII.2.2 The objective of the qualifying examination in the Master’s program is to evaluate the student’s proficiency in knowledge in their area of investigation, as well as in related areas relevant to their activities.

VII.2.3 In the Master’s program, the examination will consist of the evaluation of a brief report of no more than four pages, presenting the main ideas and results of the work, and an oral presentation and examination on the student’s research area and related areas, as well as analysis of the academic transcript.

VII.2.4 The report must be submitted to the SPG at the time of student registration for the examination in digital format, in PDF or equivalent.

VII.2.5 The oral presentation, in a public session, shall have a maximum duration of 60 minutes, followed by examination by the Examining Committee. The maximum duration of the examination shall not exceed 120 minutes.

VII.3.1 Doctoral students must register for the qualifying examination within a maximum period of 24 (twenty-four) months after their first enrollment in the program, having completed a minimum of 32 (thirty-two) credits in coursework and demonstrated English proficiency.

VII.3.2 The objective of the qualifying examination in the Doctoral program is to evaluate the student’s proficiency in knowledge in their area of investigation, as well as in related areas relevant to their activities, their ability to understand and critically analyze scientific works in their research area, and their potential to provide adequate experimental direction to solve a problem presented to them.

VII.3.3 In the Doctoral program, the examination will consist of the evaluation of a brief report of no more than four pages, presenting the main ideas and results of the work, and an oral presentation and examination on the student’s research area and related areas, as well as analysis of the academic transcript.

VII.3.4 The report must be submitted to the SPG at the time of student registration for the examination in digital format, in PDF or equivalent.

VII.3.5 The oral presentation, in a public session, shall have a maximum duration of 60 minutes, followed by examination by the Examining Committee. The maximum duration of the examination shall not exceed 180 minutes.

VII.4.1 Direct Doctoral students must register for the qualifying examination within a maximum period of 30 (thirty) months after their first enrollment in the program, having completed a minimum of 38 (thirty-eight) credits in coursework and demonstrated English proficiency.

VII.4.2 The objective of the qualifying examination in the Direct Doctoral program is the same as for the Doctoral program. The examination will be conducted according to Doctoral program rules.

VIII.1.1 Upon approval in the qualifying examination, and at the suggestion of the examining committee, the student may request to change from the Master’s to the Direct Doctoral program, provided they have the consent of the advisor, within a maximum period of 30 (thirty) days. The CPG will analyze the request based on a detailed report issued by a reviewer on the new research project and the student’s academic performance.

VIII.1.2 The student may request, with the advisor’s consent, to change from the Master’s to the Direct Doctoral program, within 28 (twenty-eight) months after the first graduate enrollment. The request must be accompanied by: (1) a letter addressed to the CPG Chair with the advisor’s agreement, (2) an updated academic transcript, and (3) a detailed justification from the advisor regarding the progress of the scientific work and the student’s academic performance. The CPG will analyze the request based on a detailed report issued by the CCP on the new research project and the student’s academic performance.

VIII.1.3 For any of the cases described in items VIII.1.1 and VIII.1.2, the student must take the Qualifying Examination for the Direct Doctoral program, following the rules in Item VII.

VIII.1.4 The change from the Direct Doctoral to the Master’s program may also be requested by the student within 16 (sixteen) months after the first graduate enrollment. The request must be accompanied by: (1) a letter addressed to the CPG Chair with the advisor’s agreement, (2) an updated academic transcript, and (3) a detailed justification from the advisor regarding the progress of the scientific work and the student’s academic performance. Based on the documents submitted, the CCP will issue an opinion on the request, forwarding it to the CPG to authorize or deny the change.

VIII.1.5 The change from the Direct Doctoral to the Doctoral program, after Master’s degree recognition, may be requested by the student with the advisor’s consent, within a maximum period of 22 (twenty-two) months after the first graduate enrollment. The CCP will issue an opinion on the request, forwarding it to the CPG to authorize or deny the change.

VIII.1.6 For program changes, the deadlines for taking the qualifying examination and the minimum credits required for qualification in the new program must be verified. If this deadline has already passed or the minimum number of credits has not been met, the change will not be possible.

IX.1 Students will be evaluated annually through their activity reports. Reports must be submitted annually by the student according to the schedule established by the CCP, announced by the Secretariat and published on the Program’s website.

IX.2 The report must contain a summary of the student’s research project, description of activities performed and achievement of planned goals, and planning or replanning of future activities. It must also be accompanied by the advisor’s evaluation of the student’s academic and scientific performance.

IX.3 Students whose reports are rejected must submit a new report within a maximum of 30 (thirty) days from the date of publication of the evaluation result by the Program Secretariat.

IX.4 In addition to the rules established in the Regimento de Pós-Graduação da USP, students may be dismissed from the graduate program in any of the programs (Master’s, Doctoral, and Direct Doctoral) for unsatisfactory academic and scientific performance, upon CCP deliberation, if any of the following situations occurs:

a) failure to submit a research plan within 60 days after the first enrollment;

b) two failures in the same course or three failures in different courses;

c) absence of regular enrollment in two consecutive academic terms;

d) two failures in the Qualifying Examination;

e) rejection of the research plan by an ad hoc reviewer appointed by the CCP;

f) failure to submit annual reports within the established deadlines;

g) rejection of the report by an ad hoc reviewer appointed by the CCP;

h) written and detailed opinion from the advisor regarding the student’s unsatisfactory performance, based on unjustified non-compliance with the activities in the Research Plan.

X.1 The decision on accreditation or re-accreditation of an advisor will be deliberated by the CPG after forwarding by the CCP, based on the excellence of their scientific, artistic, or technological production and the coordination and/or participation in funded research projects, according to the minimum criteria specified in this regulation.

X.2 The maximum number of advisees per advisor is 10 (ten). Additionally, the advisor may co-advise up to 10 (ten) doctoral or master’s students, provided that the sum of advisees and co-advisees does not exceed 15 (fifteen).

X.3 Accreditations may be full or specific. Specific accreditations are for advising a particular student.

X.4 Full advisor accreditation shall be valid for 4 (four) years.

X.5 For accreditation or re-accreditation, the applicant must submit a formal detailed request to the CCP objectively stating their qualifications to act or continue acting in the program. The request must be accompanied by an updated Lattes curriculum or Curriculum Vitae (in the case of foreign candidates without a Lattes Curriculum) and electronic addresses for ResearchID and ORCID registration.

X.6 The advisor must necessarily undertake teaching activities in the Graduate Program in Chemistry of at least 1 (one) course every two years.

X.7.1 For full accreditation, the following criteria will be considered:

(i) Scientific production in indexed journals and periodicals demonstrating the candidate’s competence in their area of activity. The minimum required production is at least 3 (three) articles in journals classified in the top three QUALIS/CAPES strata in the last four years;

(ii) Ability to provide material conditions for the development of research projects, through the acquisition of resources from funding agencies or the private sector. Participation in a current or completed project or agreement within the last 5 years is required, which can be demonstrated by a grant letter or coordinator’s letter and, in the case of newly hired faculty, proof of submission;

(iii) Adequacy of laboratory infrastructure for the development of research projects. Present justification specifying where the main equipment, techniques, or materials necessary for the execution of research projects are located.

X.8.1 For full re-accreditation, the following criteria will be considered:

(i) Scientific production in indexed journals demonstrating competence in their area of activity. The minimum production required for the first re-accreditation request is 3 (three) articles in the last 4 (four) years with graduate students from the program as co-authors in the top 3 QUALIS/CAPES strata. For subsequent re-accreditations, a minimum of 5 (five) articles in the top 3 QUALIS/CAPES strata with graduate students from the program as co-authors will be required.

(ii) Ability to provide material conditions for the development of research projects, through the acquisition of resources from funding agencies or the private sector. Participation in a current or completed project or agreement within the last 5 years is required, which can be demonstrated by a grant letter or coordinator’s letter;

(iii) Adequacy of laboratory infrastructure for the development of research projects. Present justification specifying where the main equipment, techniques, or materials necessary for the execution of research projects are located.

(iv) Completed or ongoing supervision of a Program student;

(v) Supervision history. Frequent changes of advisor are not recommended, with up to two changes allowed in the last 4 (four) years;

(vi) Participation as instructor or collaborator in Program courses that have been taught at least 2 (two) times in the last 4 (four) years;

(vii) Participation in examining committees for qualifying examinations, dissertations and theses, and ad hoc consulting for the CCP or CPG. At least 4 (four) participations in the last 4 (four) years.

X.9.1 For specific accreditation, the following criteria will be considered:

(i) Scientific production in indexed journals and periodicals demonstrating competence in their area of activity. The minimum recommended production is at least 3 (three) articles in journals classified in the top 3 QUALIS/CAPES strata in the last four years;

(ii) Ability to provide material conditions for the development of research projects, through the acquisition of resources from funding agencies or the private sector. Participation in a current or completed project or agreement within the last 5 years is required, which can be demonstrated by a grant letter or coordinator’s letter;

(iii) Adequacy of laboratory infrastructure for the development of research projects. Present justification specifying where the main equipment, techniques, or materials necessary for the execution of research projects are located;

(iv) Prior supervision of at least 1 (one) undergraduate research student or graduate student at the master’s or doctoral level;

(v) If previous supervisions have been granted in the Program, contribution to at least 1 (one) graduate course and examining committees for qualifying examinations, dissertations, and theses will be required;

(vi) Adequacy of the student’s project to the Program’s research lines;

(vii) If previous supervisions have been granted in the Program, the history of advisor changes will be considered. Frequent changes of advisor must not have occurred, with up to 2 (two) changes allowed in the last 4 (four) years.

X.10.1 The deadline for co-advisor accreditation in the master’s program is 28 months.

X.10.2 The deadline for co-advisor accreditation in the doctoral program is 44 months.

X.10.3 The deadline for co-advisor accreditation in the direct doctoral program is 54 months.

X.10.4 For co-advisor accreditation, the following criteria will be considered:

(i) Activity in an area complementary to the advisor’s area of expertise;

(ii) Potential contribution of the co-advisor to the development of the dissertation or thesis;

(iii) Scientific production in indexed journals and periodicals demonstrating the candidate’s competence in their area of activity. The minimum required production is at least 3 (three) articles in the top 3 QUALIS/CAPES strata in the last 4 (four) years.

X.11.1 Preferably, external collaborators to the Unit should have specific accreditation.

X.11.2 Retired faculty from the Institute of Chemistry at USP included in the “senior collaborators” list with a valid Permission and Use Agreement may request full and/or specific accreditation.

X.11.3 Fellows of Young Researcher Programs or equivalent, officially affiliated with IQ-USP, may request specific supervision accreditation.

X.11.4 Accreditation as full or specific advisor will not be granted to senior-level technicians or postdoctoral fellows.

X.11.5 For full accreditation of advisors external to IQ-USP, in addition to what is established in item X.7, the following information must be presented:

(i) Detailed justification from the applicant regarding the innovative contribution of the project to the graduate program;

(ii) Demonstrate the functional status and institutional affiliation;

(iii) Curriculum vitae of the interested party, which must include, if applicable, completed and ongoing supervisions at USP and elsewhere.

X.11.6 For specific accreditation of advisors external to IQ-USP, in addition to what is established in item X.9, the information described in X.11.5 must be presented.

X.11.7 For specific accreditation of advisors of the Young Researcher, Visiting Professor, or equivalent type, in addition to what is established in item X.9, the following information must be presented:

(i) Detailed justification from the applicant regarding the innovative contribution of the project to the graduate program;

(ii) Statement from an institution professor or supervisor, with the consent of the department head, demonstrating agreement with the use of the space for the development of the requested supervision and the maintenance of conditions for the execution of the graduate student’s project;

(iii) Curriculum vitae of the interested party, which must include, if applicable, completed and ongoing supervisions at USP and elsewhere;

(iv) Demonstrate the functional status and institutional affiliation of the interested party. The period of stay at IQ-USP must be at least 75% of the maximum deadline for dissertation or thesis submission.

The final work in the master’s program will be in the form of a dissertation. The structure of the master’s dissertation is defined by the publication “Guidelines for the presentation of dissertations and theses at USP: electronic and printed document. Part I (ABNT)” published by the Integrated Library System (SIBi) USP, available on the program’s website, and must contain the following items:

• Cover with author’s name, title of the work, location, and date;
• Title page with unit name, author’s name, title of the work, advisor’s name, location, and date;
• List of Figures, Illustrations, Equations, and Tables;
• Abstract in Portuguese;
• Abstract in English;
• Introduction;
• Materials and Methods;
• Results;
• Conclusions;
• Suggestions for future work;
• Bibliography;
• Annexes;
• Appendices;
• Brief CV.

The final work in the doctoral program will be in the form of a thesis, following either the traditional format or article compilation format.

The thesis in traditional format must contain the same items as the master’s dissertation.

The doctoral thesis in article compilation format must have at least two articles published and/or submitted, with at least one of the articles published or in press. In this case, the author must present consent from the publishers for the reproduction of each of these articles in the thesis.

After the introduction chapter, the author must include a chapter describing the relationship between the articles present in the body of the thesis.

The submission of copies will be made by the candidate, or their legal representative, at the Graduate Secretariat by the end of business on the last day of their regulatory deadline. The submission must be accompanied by a letter from the advisor certifying that the advisee is ready for the defense.

For the Master’s, 4 (four) bound copies of the dissertation must be submitted, plus a copy of the dissertation in PDF format and its abstract in DOC format, both in digital media.

For the Doctoral, 5 (five) bound copies of the thesis must be submitted, plus a copy of the thesis in PDF format and its abstract in DOC format, both in digital media.

Regarding the Composition of the Dissertation and Thesis Examining Committee, in addition to the provisions of the Regimento de Pós-Graduação da USP and Item IV of the CPG Bylaws, the advisor will participate in the examining committee as chair and examining member, with voting rights, in the master’s program.

In the doctoral and direct doctoral programs, the advisor will participate in the examining committee exclusively as chair, without voting rights.

XIII.1 In compliance with the Regimento de Pós-Graduação da Universidade de São Paulo, all Dissertations and Theses must contain a title, abstract, and keywords in Portuguese and English.

XIII.2 Dissertations and Theses may be written and defended in Portuguese or English. Dissertations and Theses written in article compilation format may be written partially in Portuguese and English.

XIII.3 Dissertations and Theses may be written in Spanish upon request from the advisor and approved by the CCP.

XIV.1 Master’s students who fulfill all program requirements will receive the degree of “Master of Science”. Program: Chemistry.

XIV.2 Doctoral or Direct Doctoral students who fulfill all program requirements will receive the degree of “Doctor of Science”. Program: Chemistry.

XV.1 Internship

Internships for graduate students may occur, with the advisor’s consent and approval from the CCP and CPG, following the guidelines for graduate student internships at the University of São Paulo.