Overview
Coursework Framework
The program includes courses divided into core concentration areas (42 courses) and related domains (21 courses). Concentration courses characterize the specific field of study of the Program. Related domains encompass those considered relevant to complete the student’s academic training, as defined by each concentration area. Regimentally, core concentration coursework must account for at least 50% of the minimum number of credits required for graduation.
Teaching Internship and CIV 797 (Seminar)
Enrollment in a Teaching Internship for at least one semester is mandatory for all funded PhD students and optional for other students. During the internship, students assist in undergraduate courses offered by the DEC under the supervision of their advisors. Every student must enroll in CIV 797 – Seminar during their second (Master’s) or third (PhD) semester to develop, present, and defend their research project before an examining committee. Upon approval, the research project must be registered within UFV’s Research and Graduate Studies System, linking it to an official research line.
Faculty Allocation and Interdisciplinarity
Core concentration courses are taught by faculty members allocated to the Department of Civil Engineering (under codes CIV or EAM), who also teach within the three undergraduate tracks linked to the DEC. Conversely, related domain courses are taught by professors from other UFV departments. Although PPGEC courses are formally mapped across the four concentration areas, students from any area can freely enroll in them.
Special Topics and Special Problems
Special Topics are non-regular course offerings featuring variable syllabi, bibliographies, and contents that address emerging themes across the concentration areas, with the potential to become permanent curriculum fixtures. On the other hand, Special Problems courses are tailored for an individual student whose specific research requires the deep study of a highly customized topic not covered in regular UFV coursework.
The Credit Unit and Coding System
The basic unit to measure course intensity and duration at UFV is the credit, where 1 (one) credit corresponds to 15 (fifteen) classroom hours. Courses are identified by an alphanumeric code consisting of three capital letters (indicating the offering department) followed by three digits. The first digit following the course title specifies its total credits; numbers inside parentheses detail the weekly breakdown of theoretical-practical classroom hours; and the Roman numeral identifies the specific academic term it is offered by the institution.