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 and Applications: development and characterization of biomaterials and its uses in biomedicine, ranging from ceramics, metals, polymers, composites and nanostructured materials. Research involves surface treatments, biocompatibility and bioactive response studies, osseointegration analysis, mechanical, physical and chemical properties characterization.
• Renewable and Non-renewable energy systems: study and characterization of materials for fuel cells, batteries and for energy harvesting.
• Engineering Materials: study and development of general purpose engineering materials, ranging from mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering sectors. Current research includes metals, polymers, composite materials, and ceramics. Thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical properties, as well as aging and degradation of materials are of interest.
• Materials Properties Modeling and Simulation: Thermal, mechanical, electric, magnetic and optical properties of materials are modeled using (quantum mechanical) first principles or phenomenological models, aiming for a deep level comprehension and/or for materials properties optimization.
• Thin Films, Interfaces and Surface Technologies: Research involves thin film and surface production and characterization, aiming its potential uses in Engineering. Theoretical and experimental studies are conducted in order to elucidate the role of dimensionality and nanostructure organization on both physical and chemical properties, surface stability and interfacial aspects.

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.