Admission Process

Candidates applying for Master or Doctoral Degrees in the Geophysics Graduate Program at Universidade de São Paulo will have to pass a selection process, as explained below.

Admission requirements for the program: be a graduate in Physical Sciences (Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and the like), Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography, Meteorology and the like), Engineering.

PhD (with master degree): The selection process is now open. Application deadline: March 29, 2019.

PhD (without master degree): More information coming soon!

Doctoral Degree can be pursuit for candidates with or without a Master Degree*.

* Candidates without a Master Degree must have 8 points from the following activities:

1. Scholarship for research activity during the undergraduation (6 points)

2. Abstract for internal Symposiums of universities or colleges (2 points)

3. Abstracts for Meetings held by Scientific Societies (5 points)

4. Paper in indexed Scientific Journals (10 points)

MSc: selection process for MSc starting August 2018: information availabe from March

Documents Needed (available on the menu "Forms"):

1 - Copy of ID or passport

2 - Application Form.

3 - Academic Curriculum/Resume: Please attach proofs.

4 - Official Transcript: including all subjects and its scores, approvals and disapprovals - signed and stamped by the University Autority. From graduation and MSc Degree.

5 - Diploma: It is possible to present Proof of Completion/Certificate instead of diploma, but it has to be filled out and stamped by the University Autority. Necessary of graduation course and Master course (for PhD candidates)

6 - Recommendation Letters: in number of two and filled out by a PhD or other researcher - it must be signed, dated, and has to be followed by de e-mail and institution of the recommender.

7 - English Proficiency (*).

8 - Research Project (**), only for Ph.D. candidates. Before applying, the candidate must contact one of our faculty members.

9 - Intention letter, explaining the motivation for pursuing graduate degree in Geophysics and preferred research area, only for MSc Candidates.

10 - Master and direct doctorate (without MSc degree) are submitted to a test on Math, Physics and Geophysics/Geology. Master candidate must also write a short essay on Geophysics subject. Tests will be available in Portuguese and English.  Essay can be written in Portuguese or English (***).

Details:

(*)7 - Accepted English proficiency:

Internal exam applied by the Program: Mar 24, Jun 07; Oct 04, Nov 08 at 10:00 am. The candidate should inform that he/she will do this test in the registration form.

(**)8 - Research Project: Full research project, written by the student. The proposal may be no longer that 30 pages. It must contain:

• Abstract (20 lines at maximum)
• Introduction with sintesis of fundamental bibliography
• Objectives
• Work plan and execution schedule
• Material and methods
• Information on how the results will be analysed

The project should be feasible within a maximum period of four years and must have the potential for producing scientific papers. The research project will be considered by the Admission Committee based on an independent opinion on the project and a public defense of the research project followed by a discussion with the candidate on the research project and the possibilities of its development. The candidate will have 20 minutes to present your project and can use Power Point or similar. For candidates outside from São Paulo, defense project can be done electronically, Skype or similar.

(***)10 - Test Contents: - Physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, wave, thermodynamics and optics. - Mathematics: vectors, complex numbers, statistics, limits, derivatives and integrals - Introduction to Earth Sciences: Earth's internal structure, physical properties (density, magnetic properties, elastic and electrical), global tectonics, minerals and rocks, Deformation of rocks: structures and processes. sedimentary basins. References: J. Grotzinger e T. Jordan, 2013, "Understanding the Earth". D. Halliday, R. Resnick e J. Walker, 2008, “Fundaments of Physics”. R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton e M. Sands, 2008. H.L. Guidorizzi, 2001, “Calculus”.G. Ávila, 2003, “Calculus.

The written test will take place on the following dates: June 08, November 09. It is only necessary for the candidates without a MsC. Degree. Time Schedule: 10:00am-12:30pm Mathematics and Introduction to Earth Sciences; 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Physics. Important Notice: candidates that get grades lower than 2.5 at the written test  will not be classified.

PhD candidate who obtain a score greater than or equal to 8.0 will be approved. MSc candidate who obtain a score greater than or equal to 7.0 will be approved.

(1) a fraction of less than one year will be considered in proportion to the calculation of scores.

(2) Score is indicated for such publications as first author. For the second and third author, score will be 75 % and 50 % of the indicated value, respectively. For the fourth author on, the score will be 20% of the indicated value.

The acceptance of the candidate in the Graduate Program does not imply, in any way, in providing scholarships or any other form of aid for the maintenance of student. If there is some possibility, it may be assigned a program quota scholarship funded by CAPES or CNPq.

The program encourages students try for PEC-PG scholarship program 

 http://www.capes.gov.br/component/content/article/36-salaimprensa/noticias/8107-programa-ira-conceder-ate-100-bolsas-de-doutorado-para-estrangeiros