Who We Are

The Environmental Engineering Program (PEA/UFRJ) is based on updating and innovation, with the objective of gathering, developing and transmitting knowledge in science, technology, systems and management solutions to solve current and future environmental challenges. The professional graduated from the course will have a solid scientific and cultural background, qualifying him/her to face global environmental challenges and to act in dialogue with international actors, defining strategies and technologies and seeking innovative solutions. Thus, this professional will work on the creation of sustainable strategies in order to balance the ecologically correct, the socially fair and the economically viable in the long term.

The PEA approaches environmental issues from a historical perspective, avoiding compartmentalization and isolation from social conditions. It also advocates a broad approach that transcends the limitations of the market economy and its peculiar forms of exploitation of natural and human resources. It also aims to broaden the spatial, temporal, ecological and social bases in the process of formulating and evaluating development projects so that they become economically viable, socially fair and ecologically sustainable. These objectives are in line with the UN 2030 Agenda, which consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MISSION

To contribute to the advancement of knowledge and sustainable practices in the area of Environmental Engineering, training qualified professionals and carrying out innovative research to preserve ecosystems and improve the quality of life of current and future generations.

VISION

To be recognized as a reference in Environmental Engineering, standing out for its academic excellence, impactful scientific production, internationalization and engagement with companies and society to face contemporary environmental challenges, inspiring transformative actions in favor of a sustainable future.

VALUES

  • Excellence
  • Sustainability
  • Innovation
  • Social Responsibility 
  • Cooperation
  • Integration of academia, business and society.

OUT HISTORY

The Postgraduate Program of Environmental Engineering of UFRJ (PEA/UFRJ) was created in 2007 by the Polytechnic School (POLI) and the School of Chemistry (EQ) of UFRJ. It originated from Lato Sensu courses of POLI and experience in the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program of EQ. The PEA/UFRJ began with only the Professional Master’s modality, with the main objective “To train human resources in Environmental Engineering and develop the skills necessary for the development of new techniques and processes for managing environmental systems, emphasizing the deepening of scientific and technological training, so that they can participate in the construction of knowledge and ensure the sustainable development of the country, through relevant research projects”.

When the Professional Master’s program was created, it met a pent-up demand for professionals working in the job market in the Environmental area. The first call for applications was launched in 2007, with the first class starting in 2008 and the first dissertation defended in 2009. The number of applicants per call is significant.

Based on this successful joint experience, and with significant student demand and faculty desire, the Polytechnic School proposed the creation of the Academic Doctorate PEA course. The first class started in 2016, and the first thesis was defended in 2019. The second thesis, also defended in 2019, received national awards in the following year: the CAPES Thesis Award 2020 for the Engineering Group I and the CAPES Grand Thesis Award 2020 among all areas on Engineering, Earth and Exact Sciences. It is worth noting that the winner of the CAPES Thesis Award was a student of the Professional Master’s and Academic Doctorate courses at PEA. He is currently a permanent professor of the Program.

In 2024, the Master’s Degree at PEA/UFRJ was allowed to change to academic modality. The first class of the new academic modality will start in the first quarter of 2025. Hence, PEA/UFRJ is currently a fully academic program, with master’s and doctorate courses.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2001 – 2010
  • 2011 – 2020
  • 2021 – 2030
  • The Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduation Education (CAPES) gives permission for the creation of the Professional Master’s course – 2001
  • Regulation of the Professional Master’s program – POLI/UFRJ and EQ/UFRJ – 2007
  • First class of the Professional Master’s course – 2008
  • The first dissertation is defended – first student to conclude the course – 2009
  • PEA starts to participate in the Human Resources Program of the Brazilian Agency of Petroleum and Natural Gas (PRH) – 2010
  • The Academic Doutorate course is created – 2015
  • First class of the Academic Doctorate course – 2016
  • Faculty members of PEA participates in the Management Committee of PIM-EA – Brazil-United States Program for Modernization of Graduation Education on Environmental Engineering – 2019
  • The first Doctorate Thesis is defended – the first doctor to graduate in PEA – 2019
  • The second Doctorate Thesis of PEA receives nation-wide recognition with the CAPES Thesis Award for Engineering Group I and the Grand CAPES Thesis Award for Engineering, Earth and Exact Sciences – 2020
  • Regulation of the direct transition of a student from the Professional Master’s course to the Academic Doctorate course – 2022
  • The coordinator of PEA/UFRJ participates in the simulation of the mid-term assessment of the Engineering academic graduate programs of Engineering Group I of Brazil (BRASÍLIA/DF) – 2023
  • The Master’s degree is allowed to change to academic modality – the Master’s course at PEA becomes academic – 2024
  • The Academic Master’s course is merged with the Academic Doctorate course – 2024