Deadlines and Credits

III – DEADLINES
III.1 Students in the Master’s program have 30 (thirty) months to submit their thesis.
III.2 Doctoral candidates who hold a Master’s degree have 54 (fifty-four) months to submit their dissertation.
III.3 Doctoral candidates who do not hold a Master’s degree (those enrolled in the Direct Doctoral program) have 66 (sixty-six) months to submit their dissertation.
III.4 In exceptional and justified cases, students of any program have the right to request a maximum extension of 6 months (one hundred and eighty days).

IV – MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED
IV.1 The Master’s student must earn the minimum number of credits, as follows:
– 96 (ninety-six) total credit units, comprised of 32 (thirty-two) course credits (at least 16 of those in mandatory courses) and 64 (sixty-four) dissertation credits.
IV.2 Any Doctoral student who holds a Master’s degree from USP, or one that is recognized by USP, must earn the minimum number of credits, as follows:
– 160 (one hundred and sixty) total credit units: comprised of 24 (twenty-four) course credits (at least 12 of those in mandatory courses) and 136 (one hundred and thirty-six) dissertation credits.
IV.3 Any Doctoral student who does not hold a previous Master’s degree must earn the minimum number of credits, as follows: – 192 (one hundred and ninety-two) credit units, comprised of 56 (fifty-six) course credits (at least 28 of those in mandatory courses) and 136 (one hundred and thirty-six) dissertation credits.

IV.4 Mandatory Courses
IV.4.1 Students may choose from among the following mandatory courses: BMI5904 (4 credits), BMI5905 (4 credits), BMI5906 (4 credits), BMI5907 (4 credits), BMI5908 (4 credits), BMI5862 (4 credits), BMI5863 (4 credits).
IV.4.2 The minimum number of credits in mandatory courses are 16 for Master’s students, 12 for Doctoral students and 28 for Direct Doctoral students.

IV.5 Special Credits
The following maximum number of special credits can be recognized for each of the programs: 12 (twelve) for the Master’s program, 12 (twelve) for the Doctoral program and 24 (twenty-four) for the Direct Doctoral program. These credits are specified in the items below:
IV.5.1 In the case of a complete paper published in a national or international journal with a reputable editorial board, or a book chapter of renowned merit in the area of expertise, provided that the student is the first author, and that the publication is related to the project of his/her thesis or dissertation, the number of special credits granted is equal to 4 (four). In the case of co-authorship, 2 (two) special credits will be granted.
IV.5.2 For the submission of patents, 2 (two) special credits will be granted.
IV.5.3 In case of participation in conferences, workshops, symposiums or any other type of scientific meeting with the presentation of a complete paper that is published (whether in printed or digital form) in records (or similar registries) and provided that the student is the first author, the number of credits granted is equal to 2 (two), limited to up to 2 (two) per event, with presentation of different papers.
IV.5.4 For participation in the Teaching Improvement Program (PAE), a total of 4 (four) credits will be granted, with a limit of one participation in this program for Master’s, Doctoral and Direct Doctoral students.