History

The Graduate Program in Agroindustrial Science and Technology (PPGCTA) was created in 1983. The first class of students started in 1985 when it was accredited by CAPES as a master’s program, and since 2000 has a doctorate track.

Concentration and Research Areas

The program has one concentration (Agroindustrial Science and Technology) and three research areas: Fruit and Vegetable Science and Technology, Grain Science and Technology and Food Microbiology.

Objectives

A major objective of the program is to fulfill the qualification demand of professionals working in areas such as teaching, research and development in subjects associated with the agroindustrial complex, including, conservation, transformation, standardization, quality control of raw materials, products and processes, as well as, the development and improvement of food agroindustrial products. In this context, the academic and scientific formation of master’s and doctorate graduates is the center of attention of PPGCTA. The expected results are based in order of priority and plenitude: the qualification of professional graduates from PPGCTA, scientific and technological intellectual production, and knowledge generation and its popularization.

Mission

To train qualified professionals in Agroindustrial Science and Technology at both the master’s and doctorate levels, with outstanding competencies in generating knowledge and social well being.

Duration

PPGCTA predicts an optimum graduation time of 2 years for the master’s degree and 3 years for the doctorate degree.

Scholarships

Students enrolled in the PPGCTA receive scholarships from CAPES, CNPq and other partners.

Faculty

Permanent faculty members in the program have doctorate degrees, and 80% are affiliated with UFPel.

Students

The profile of PPGCTA students, renewed annually with around 45 applicants for the master’s program and 25 for the doctorate, is composed of professionals from the following areas: Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Nutritional Science, Pharmacy, Veterinary, and, Viticulture and Enology. Undergraduate students participate in research projects in all three research areas of PPGCTA.

Graduates

The follow up with PPGCTA graduates indicates the program mission has been accomplished, considering that on average:

a) 92 % work in the area from which they graduated;

b) 71% of master’s graduates continue on to doctorate programs;

c) 47% of graduates work at Colleges and Universities;

d) 29% work in research and/or Agroindustrial enterprises;

e) 21% work at private companies and/or are self-employed;

f) 3% work in other areas.