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University of São Paulo Dual PhD
PhD

The School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) offers a dual PhD degree program established between the University of São Paulo, Brazil, Institute of Oceanography (IOUSP) and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

The dual-degree framework allows graduate students to participate in the program at each institution, while being co-supervised by one faculty member from each institution.

Students are taught by some of the most distinguished faculty in the fields of marine science. SMAST faculty pursue cutting-edge research in biogeochemical cycling, coastal ecosystem dynamics and restoration, marine computational modeling, fisheries science and management, marine renewable energy, ocean observing/remote sensing, and ocean physics.

Highlights

  • Applicants to the dual-degree PhD program of either institution may indicate on their application their intent to participate in the dual-degree program
  • Participating students have two co-advisors, one at each university
  • Upon passage of the PhD exams (written and oral) and dissertation proposal presentation, dual-degree students are required to conduct at least 30% of their research at the alternate institution
  • Students are advised to choose research areas of mutual interest to the two institutions

At a glance

The achievements of SMAST students include:

  • Fulbright Fellowships
  • Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships
  • Nancy Sayles Day Foundation Research Award
  • NOAA Sea Grant Fellowship in Population Dynamics
  • Awards for presentations at the following professional meetings:
    • American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists
    • American Fisheries Society
    • American Meteorological Society
    • International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
    • International Pectinid Workshop
    • National Shellfisheries Association

Funding

UMass Dartmouth has several financial programs to assist graduate students with the cost of advanced studies. These programs apply to degree-seeking, matriculated students only.

Applicants should take an active role in contacting faculty member(s) who could potentially advise them, as well as make an effort to seek funding before applying.

Student placement

SMAST alums succeed at becoming involved in research, teaching, and project management in academia, private industry, and governmental agencies.

Student Success

Ana Paula Krelling: first PhD graduate of SMAST & IOUSP
Ana Paula Krelling: first PhD graduate of SMAST & IOUSP

Ana Paula Krelling is the first first dual-degree Ph.D. graduate of UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science (SMAST) and the University of São Paulo Institute of Oceanography (IOUSP).

  • Program includes four core courses (12 credits total), courses in a concentration area beyond the core, seminars, and dissertation research
  • Concentration area work includes a minimum of 24 credit hours of courses (includes elective and seminar courses) and helps students prepare for the written and oral candidacy examinations
  • A minimum of 18 credit hours must be applied toward thesis research, after completing a rigorous comprehensive exam
  • Overall average of 3.0 in the PhD degree program is required. (IOUSP students are referred to the degree requirements of their home institution.)

 

University requirements for graduate admissions

  • Submit an application via the online portal. Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
  • Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
  • Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required. International students applying for Data Science must submit semester-by-semester transcripts as well as consolidated transcripts. 
  • Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
  • International students: official TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. The Duolingo test is not accepted for the following programs: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies & Theory, Marine Science and Technology (MS, PSM, PhD), Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Portuguese Studies, Professional Writing and Communication, Psychology (ABA, Clinical, Research), and Public Policy.

Program deadlines

University of São Paulo Dual PhD Faculty

Adam Delargy
Avijit Gangopadhyay
Amber Lisi
Alice Pietri
Andre Schmidt
Amit Tandon
PhD
Amit Tandon
PhD
Brian Howes
Brian Rothschild
PhD
Changsheng Chen
Christian Buckingham
Courtney Donovan
Cynthia Pilskaln
Christopher Rillahan
David White
Daniel Georgianna
Dale Goehringer Toner
Daniel MacDonald
PhD
Daniel MacDonald
PhD
David Schlezinger
Geoffrey Cowles
Gavin Fay
James Bisagni
Jianhua Qi
Jefferson Turner
PhD
Jefferson Turner
PhD
Kevin Stokesbury
Kayhan Ulgen
Liuzhi Zhao
Mark Altabet
Micheline Labrie
Miles Sundermeyer
Pingguo He
Pia Moisander
PhD
Qichun Xu
Robert Griffin
PhD
Roland Samimy
Steven Cadrin
PhD
Steven Lohrenz