About the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences

• Program History

  The Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde), Master’s level, was approved in 2009 by CAPES, Medicine II evaluation area, receiving grade 3. The Program’s activities began in September. With this development, a substantial increase in the Program’s faculty’s scientific production occurred in addition to a significant number of joint research work with students. Efforts were made to qualify and expand the teaching staff in view of the students’ growing demands and the expected proposal to set up a Doctorate Degree course in Health Sciences.

  Given the institutional support, the Program’s professors started an intense and continuous debate about the PPGCS pedagogical project, with a view at preparing a doctoral project. The discussions culminated in the Program’s first Strategic Planning, elaborated in 2011, and aimed to review the problems of the then Master’s Degree in Health Sciences and set objectives to achieve the CAPES recommendation for the Doctorate Degree in Health Sciences, to be submitted by 2014. It was understood that the restructuring of the curriculum framework and research lines, maintaining necessarily the original architecture of the Master’s Degree proposal, should be in line with the determinations and discussions of the Medicine II area meetings, the CAPES guidelines and the national postgraduate programs trends. Thus, in 2013, the Doctorate Degree program was approved by CAPES, and the PPGCS was awarded grade 4 in the assessment in 2014. The second Strategic Planning, developed in 2015, reviewed the problems encountered by the PPGCS and outlined the core objective to reach a new established goal: to obtain the 5th grade in the CAPES assessment.

  In 2016, with a contingent of 91 Master’s Degree graduates, 55 studying for their Master’s Degree and 26 Doctoral Degree students, the PPGCS Board understood the need for a new evaluation of the Pedagogical Project and the program’s Internal Regulations. After several workshops and meetings during the period from January to April 2016, amendments were proposed and submitted to the Collegiate Council of UNISUL University, and their approval published in CONSUN Resolution No. 356/2016, dated May 25, 2016.

  At the end of the year 2017, the Program was assessed in connection with the 2013-2016 period programs and was awarded grade 5. Having achieved its objective, PPGCS prepared its third Strategic Planning in 2018, which goal was to consolidate the recently obtained grade 5. In 2019, with a contingent of 160 master’s graduates and 26 doctors as well as 31 master’s and 25 doctoral students in training process, aligned with the need to achieve the goal established in the 2018 Strategic Planning, the PPGCS Collegiate proposed a reassessment of the Pedagogical Project and of the Course’s Internal Regulations. The changes were approved by the PPGCS Board and later submitted to the Board of the University Council of UNISUL, having been approved as published in CONSUN Resolution No. 451/2019 of November 29, 2019.

  In the CAPES parameters, grade 5 is bestowed to courses of excellence at national level. Given the recognition achieved, new challenges emerged, but it was also necessary to complete the established goals that had not been achieved. In addition to the formal moments of Strategic Planning, the PPGCS continuously performs a self-assessment through collegiate meetings, annual seminars by the Course Coordination to monitor the Program’s biannual evaluation by the students, and activities’ planning and evaluation at the beginning and at the end of each semester, performed by the professors. In addition, the process of accreditation and de-accreditation of permanent professors is carried out annually, considering productivity evaluation, participation and organization of events, guidance and link with the graduation.

  Although the permanent self-assessment process of the PPGCS has been pointing to the partial achievement of the goals established in the 2018 Strategic Planning, the implementation of a new Planning was considered imperative by the Board, with a view to the new 2021-2024 assessment quadrennium. The objective will be to review the 2018 goals and insert goals and targets for the period of the new evaluation quadrennium.

• Objectives

  The PPGCS’s general purpose is to expand knowledge in the area of health sciences, promoting health and related areas’ professionals’ technical, pedagogical and methodological training, and the Program should achieve the specific objectives of:

  a) qualifying for teaching practice;
  b) qualifying for research practice;
  c) training for data search and interpretation and information related to the determining and conditioning factors of diseases;
  d) consolidate the practice of integrating professional experience with the ability to analyze and apply scientific information.

• Major Area

  The PPGCS Major area is called “Health Sciences”. This Major aims at the theoretical-methodological qualification of professors and professionals in the field of health and related areas, to perform teaching and research activities in the field of human health.

• Research lines

  Investigation of health problems of infectious origin: this line brings together researchers interested in epidemiological, pre-clinical and clinical studies focused on diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms, prevention and treatment of diseases and health problems of infectious origin, as well as the development of new techniques , protocols and products for health purpose.

  Investigation of chronic health problems: this line brings together researchers interested in epidemiological, pre-clinical and clinical studies aimed at the diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms, prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases and other chronic health problems, as well as the development of new techniques , protocols and health products.

  Studies and development of medicines and health products: this line brings together researchers interested in conducting pre-clinical and clinical investigations related to the development and assessment of the biological activity of extracts, drugs, modified-release dosage forms and dental products, as well as studies on the use and rational use of medicines.

  Neuroscience: this line brings together researchers interested in preclinical and clinical studies aimed at investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of disorders that affect the nervous system, aiming at the prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as the development of new techniques, protocols and health products.

• Students and Graduates Profile

  PPGCS primarily serves graduates of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Cosmetology and Aesthetics, Biomedicine, Nutrition, Physical Education, Naturology, as well as related areas or with the research projects development aligned with the Major area and the Program’s research lines.

  The profile of PPGCS former graduates must include critical, reflective and ethical training, based on technical-scientific knowledge, ability to work in teaching and ability to work in research seeking knowledge in the Health Sciences area.

• Master's Degree Course

  The qualifications provided for in the Master’s degree in Health Sciences are preponderant for the intellectual development of professionals, considering the scientific, technological and sustainable development of Brazil, the regions and the municipalities.

  The Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Master’s degree – Assessment Area/CAPES Medicine II, grade 5, addresses methods of diagnosis, prevention, therapeutics, control and prophylaxis of diseases and human health problems.

  The Master’s Degree in Health Sciences provides comprehensive and continuing quality education, enabling the student to interact with and contribute qualitatively to local, regional, national and international demands.

  The course duration is 24 months. Classes are in person and in weekly modules. Check out the class schedule here!

  Applications are in continuous flow and candidates’ selection is based on a work plan and acceptance letter issued by a permanent professor of the Program.

  For further information please contact us via e-mail [email protected].

• Doctoral Degree Course

  With the advancement of scientific knowledge and the need for interventions in individual and collective health, the challenge is to keep up with changes, new demands, generate new knowledge and apply it to solve problems.

  The Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences – Doctorate – evaluation area/CAPES Medicine II, grade 5, addresses methods of diagnosis, prevention, therapy, control and prophylaxis of diseases and problems for human health.

  The Course provides professional development, methodological training with focus on research.

  The Doctorate in Health Sciences is a 48 months duration course. Classes are in person, and in weekly modules. Check out the class schedule here!

  Applications are in continuous flow and candidates’ selection is based on a work plan and acceptance letter issued by a permanent professor of the Program.

  For further information please contact us via e-mail [email protected].