Course
Environmental Sustainability - Mandatory
Syllabus
Emergence and contextualization of environmental concerns.
Modern definitions of sustainability.
Paradigms between social development and environmental sustainability.
The environmental issue from an economic perspective.
The 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the challenges to their implementation.
Environmental sustainability and the use of natural resources (climate, water, soil, bioenergy, fauna, flora).
Environmental sustainability and its relationship with the productive sector.
Tools and techniques aimed at the sustainability of modern societies.
Sustainability indicators.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and conservation of natural resources
Course
Applied statistics in environmental sciences - Mandatory
Syllabus
Introduction to statistics.
The significance of statistical data analysis in research activities.
Data organization. Experimental and sampling design.
Probability distribution models.
Hypothesis testing.
Central Composite Designs (Rotational and Fractional).
Introduction to multivariate statistics.
Environmental data analysis.
Initial steps in R: installation of R and additional packages.
The R language: mathematical functions, data types, data objects, and graphical representations.
Case studies related to Environmental Sciences.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and conservation of natural resources
Course
Seminars on sustainable production and environmental conservation (Master’s Degree) - Mandatory
Syllabus
It aims to introduce students to the concepts of research and graduate studies, provide an overview of the Environmental Sciences field, explain the objectives and functioning of the PPGCTA program, and assist in developing their research project.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and conservation of natural resources
Course
Seminars on sustainable production and environmental conservation (Doctorate Degree) - Mandatory
Syllabus
It aims to discuss the importance of relevant academic production and interdisciplinarity as decisive factors in addressing socio-environmental issues while also assisting in research project development. Doctorate students will be invited to collaborate in the master' s-level course, sharing their academic experiences and professional training. Project presentations will be conducted jointly for both levels of the program.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and conservation of natural resources
Course
Bioprocesses applied to environmental sciences
Syllabus
• Concept and characterization of agro-industrial waste and effluents.
• The significance of biotechnological processes in valorizing agro-industrial waste and effluents.
• Fermentative processes.
• Enzymatic processes.
• Biotechnological approaches for utilizing waste, effluents, or by-products from agro-industries to obtain high-value-added products such as enzymes, polymers, biofuels, bioherbicides, and other bioactive molecules.
• Case studies and practical examples of waste and effluent utilization aimed at environmental sustainability.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems
Course
Nature conservation
Syllabus
Concepts of conservation biology.
Historical perspective on human-nature interactions.
The importance of biodiversity conservation.
Biodiversity measurement approaches.
Major threats to nature.
Direct and indirect causes of biodiversity loss.
Population extinction and maintenance.
Minimum viable population.
Threatened species at local, regional, and global levels.
Conservation strategies (in situ and ex-situ).
Environmental legislation as a conservation tool.
Techniques for the protection and preservation of biological diversity.
Research line
Natural resource conservation
Course
Agroecosystem management
Syllabus
Agroecosystems: their stability, function, environmental services, and sustainability.
Landscape ecology, its concepts, and applications in the environmental management of these systems.
Management and planning of agroecosystems, as well as their implementation and certification.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems
Course
Sustainable management of agricultural systems
Syllabus
This course aims to:
• Analyze the effects of different cropping systems on agroecosystems in the production of agriculturally significant crops
• Assess the environmental dynamics and impact of pesticide application on agroecosystems
• Provide students with potential methods, techniques, and strategies for pest management in crops to minimize pesticide use or explore alternative pest control approaches
• Focus on maximizing crop production with minimal input use by applying optimal economic doses and considering the economic threshold for pesticide application in pest management
• Evaluate emerging technological tools for pest management in agricultural systems and their effects on agroecosystems.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems
Course
Scientific writing and methodology
Syllabus
Introduction to scientific methodology.
Conception, development, and writing of research projects.
Structure of dissertations and theses.
The importance of scientific writing in disseminating research findings.
Guidelines for preparing a scientific article for publication.
Drafting an article.
Style and grammar in scientific writing.
Criteria for selecting an appropriate scientific journal for submission.
The process of submitting an article for publication.
Steps and procedures in the article submission process.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Sustainable production in fruit growing and orchard management
Syllabus
Concept and significance of fruit growing in economic, social, and nutritional contexts.
Analysis of plant and fruit responses to environmental conditions for fresh consumption and industrial processing.
Ecological requirements and classification of fruit-bearing plants.
Orchard establishment.
Pruning techniques.
Planning of commercial orchards.
Economic and nutritional data, botany, morphology, climate, soil, planting, cultural and phytosanitary practices, fertilization, harvesting, and commercialization of nationally prioritized fruits and those of particular interest to Southern Brazil.
Study of the region’s main fruit species.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems
Course
Ecological restoration
Syllabus
Introduces students to topics related to Ecological Restoration, building upon foundational ecological principles and exploring the application of knowledge from Biotic Interactions, Ecophysiology, and other related fields to develop methods for restoring key properties of disturbed ecosystems.
Examines the development of restoration projects, addressing methodologies, challenges, and best practices in ecosystem recovery.
Research line
Natural resource conservation
Course
Wastewater treatment
Syllabus
Definition and characterization of wastewater.
Legislation, social, and environmental aspects.
Concepts of wastewater treatment, standards, and physicochemical and biological water parameters.
Types of applicable treatment methods, environmentally appropriate, and sanitarily safe wastewater disposal.
Management and environmental impacts of wastewater reuse.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems
Course
Biomonitoring and environmental toxicology
Syllabus
Conceptual foundations of bioindication and environmental toxicology.
Biomonitoring, bioindicators, biomarkers.
Impact of toxic substances on living organisms.
Environmental contamination of aquatic ecosystems and effects on human health and biota.
Fundamentals of ecotoxicology.
Environmental genotoxicity.
Advanced studies in environmental toxicology.
Research line
Natural resource conservation
Course
Landscape analysis applied to environmental sciences
Syllabus
Foundations of landscape ecology: conceptual and theoretical frameworks, factors influencing landscape formation, structure, function, dynamics, exchanges, and management principles.
Geographic information systems (gis) and their methodological significance in landscape analysis.
Spatial and temporal scales.
Landscape dynamics.
Landscape fragmentation.
Case studies in environmental sciences.
Research Line
Natural resource conservation
Course
Environmental geotechnics applied to waste utilization
Syllabus
Introduction to environmental geotechnics and its significance in environmental science and technology.
Utilization of waste materials for geotechnical development: technological characterization studies and application assessment tests.
Technologies for waste reclamation in agricultural soils.
Technologies for waste and tailings management, treatment, and disposal.
Geomechanical behavior of contaminated waste, tailings, and soils; stabilization techniques for soils, tailings, and waste materials.
Geotechnical investigation and geo-environmental monitoring of contaminated sites.
Pollutant percolation and migration.
Contaminated soil recovery and remediation due to waste and tailings disposal.
Applications of waste and tailings in novel material development.
Research line
Natural resource conservation
Course
Development and public policy frameworks
Syllabus
Conceptual foundations of development.
Interdisciplinary nature and multidimensional aspects of development.
Sustainable development paradigms.
Socioeconomic dynamics, market development, and social constructs.
Interplay between development, growth, and economic democracy.
Public policy: definitions, policy cycle, stakeholder roles, and state intervention strategies.
Environmental policy frameworks: regulatory instruments and practical implementations; rural development policy initiatives.
Public policy strategies for sustainable development.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Agroforestry systems
Syllabus
Explores the agronomic and ecological dimensions of agroforestry systems.
Facilitates critical analysis of existing agroforestry initiatives in Brazil and globally, emphasizing ecological and socioeconomic sustainability, ecosystem services, and agroecological opportunities.
Examines the potential of agroforestry systems as a strategy for ecological forest restoration.
Conceptual framework of agroforestry systems; ecological succession and functional groups; analog or successional systems; potential of native tree species; case studies of agroforestry practices in global, Brazilian, and Southern Brazilian contexts; agrosilvopastoral systems, biomass accumulation, and carbon sequestration; ecological interactions within agroforestry systems; design and implementation of agroforestry projects; management protocols; economic viability assessments.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Environmental history
Syllabus
Examination of historical processes of human intervention in the environment, emphasizing not only politically defined territorial regions but also areas with natural or cultural homogeneity and identity.
Analysis of natural environmental influences on human societies across diverse historical and ecological contexts enables comparative assessments of distinct historical-ecological configurations and interdisciplinary dialogue with social and natural sciences.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Teaching internship
Syllabus
Supervised practical training for master’s candidates in delivering undergraduate-level courses. Involves active participation in course coordination, including lesson planning, preparation, and delivery of theoretical and practical classes. Emphasizes acquiring pedagogical principles and exercising classroom engagement techniques under the guidance of the course instructor.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Special Topics I
Syllabus
Advanced exploration and discussion of interdisciplinary themes pertinent to Sustainable Production and Environmental Conservation. Different topics are proposed by faculty and/or students, subject to curricular committee approval, and announced during the preceding academic semester. Practical applications of selected subjects may be integrated into the program, fostering hands-on engagement with theoretical frameworks.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Special topicsII
Syllabus
Advanced exploration and discussion of interdisciplinary themes pertinent to Sustainable Production and Environmental Conservation. Different topics are proposed by faculty and/or students, subject to curricular committee approval, and announced during the preceding academic semester. Practical applications of selected subjects may be integrated into the program, fostering hands-on engagement with theoretical frameworks.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
Course
Special Topics III
Syllabus
Advanced exploration and discussion of interdisciplinary themes pertinent to Sustainable Production and Environmental Conservation. Different topics are proposed by faculty and/or students, subject to curricular committee approval, and announced during the preceding academic semester. Practical applications of selected subjects may be integrated into the program, fostering hands-on engagement with theoretical frameworks.
Research line
Sustainability of agroecosystems and natural resource conservation
