The Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program of Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), also known by its acronym PIPE, is a multidisciplinary program which offers graduate degrees of Master of Science (MsC)  and  Doctor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering. The Master’s degree requires a maximum of 2 years study and a written research dissertation. The doctorate requires a maximum of 4 years study and written research thesis.

The program’s objective is to promote collaborations between different areas, mainly Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering, using a multidisciplinary research approach for the advancement of science and technology.

To face the demands and challenges of modern industry, PIPE offers educational and research programs that follow current trends in novel and advanced materials, as well as in synthesis, design and operation methodology.

There are 5 main lines of research:

• Biomaterials: Biocompatibility and Applications: Study and development of biomaterials and their applications in the biomedical field, from the preparation, surface treatment, biocompatibility tests, and bioactive response, including analysis of the osseointegration process. Analysis of the biological response in in vitro and in vitro tests, including the analysis of biomedical applications, from the use of metals, ceramic materials, composites, and polymers to nanostructured materials in biology and medicine. The aim is to study the physical and mechanical properties and chemical reactions interacting with organisms and organic tissues.
• Renewable and Non-Renewable Energies: Development of materials for different energy sectors, focusing on fuel cells, batteries, components, and various processes in the oil and biodiesel sector, as well as materials aimed at harnessing solar energy and biomass. The relationship between different energy generation processes and the materials that meet the requirements of each process.
• Engineering Materials: Study and development of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials aimed at applications in diverse areas of engineering, such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, and environmental, including the processing and physical and chemical characterization of materials, such as aging, degradation, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical and thermal, chemical, morphological and structural properties.
• Simulation and Modeling of Materials: Use of first-principles or phenomenological theoretical models and computational methods in the simulation and optimization of physical systems of interest, ranging from the modeling of nanostructured materials to equipment and processes in the area of oil and bioreactors, seeking to relate experimental results with useful models in the description of physical and chemical properties of materials, systems, and devices.
• Technology of Surfaces, Films and Interfaces:This research line aims at the experimental production and characterization of physical and chemical properties of surfaces and thin films with potential applications in engineering, as well as the study of the interaction between materials and interfacial effects. The theoretical and experimental studies seek to understand the outcomes of dimensionality and structure on physical and chemical properties of films and surfaces, including analysis of performance, stability, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties.

PIPE Graduate Program’s main goals are: i) generate human resources to act in universities and enterprises working in the Materials Science and Engineering areas, as teachers and researchers and ii) advance the knowledge in the field of Materials Science and its applications, which can be measured through the production of high quality scientific publications or a patent filing. The Doctors and Masters egressing from PIPE must be able to act as teachers, scientists and citizens empowered to disseminate science.  To accomplish that goal three courses are mandatory for both Doctorate and Master students: i) Materials Science (60h), ii) Thermodynamics of Materials (60h) and iii) Seminars (30h). The other courses needed to achieve the necessary number of credits can be chosen from a variety of topics, ranging from solid-state theory to topics such as biomaterials and electrochemistry. Finally, a thesis (48 months after admission for Doctorate) or a dissertation (24 months after admission for Master) must be presented to an examination board. The Doctorate degree requires a published paper in an Indexed Journal or a deposited patent and a submitted paper. Master degree requires a submitted paper or a deposited patent. Students must choose an academic advisor among the PIPE faculty.