Overview
History
The Graduate Program in Civil Engineering (PPGEC) at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) began its activities in 1991, as a pioneer in the State of Minas Gerais with its Master’s degree program focusing on Geotechnics. In 2003, it also expanded to offer Doctoral studies in the same concentration area. In 2005, Spatial Information and Sanitary and Environmental Engineering were introduced as new areas of concentration, followed by Construction Engineering in 2007.
By December 2024, the program reached 610 completed training milestones, with 480 at the Master’s level and 130 at the Doctoral level. In the 2017-2020 quadrennial evaluation, the program obtained a score of 5. Currently, PPGEC is strongly committed to its consolidation, performing continuous improvements in its infrastructure and indicator management, which led to a score of 6 in the latest quadrennial evaluation (2021-2024). In this context, significant progress stands out in scientific production, expansion of physical laboratory structures, and a coordinated effort towards the program’s internationalization.
PPGEC is hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering (DEC) at UFV, which is also responsible for coordinating three undergraduate programs: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Surveying and Cartographic Engineering.
Mission
To produce relevant, high-quality knowledge for society and to educate highly qualified human resources in the Engineering field through best academic practices, cooperative efforts, and a strong commitment to truth, ethics, and sustainability, focusing on people and alignment with global demands.
Vision
To be recognized nationally and internationally as a graduate program of major relevance through its contributions to scientific and technological advancements within the Engineering I scope, as well as the high quality and capability of its graduates.
Objectives
PPGEC aims to prepare human resources at both Master’s and Doctoral levels for academic teaching, research, and professional civil engineering practice. The specific objectives of the program are:
- To qualify professors, researchers, engineers, and professionals from related fields to generate and disseminate knowledge in Civil Engineering-related domains—including Construction Engineering, Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Geotechnics, and Spatial Information—aiming at sustainable development and the improvement of people’s quality of life;
- To develop scientific research within the program’s areas of concentration;
- To foster integration among teaching, research, and community outreach within the Department of Civil Engineering (DEC);
- To promote academic exchanges between DEC, other UFV departments, and domestic or international universities and research centers.