The University of Porto, through the Faculty of Sciences (FCUP), and the Mandume Ya Ndemufayo University (UMN), through the Polytechnic Institute of Huíla (Angola), have agreed to create an innovative master's programme in Biodiversity, Genetics and Conservation (MBGC). This partnership illustrates a shared commitment to educational excellence in a competitive global academic landscape. The innovative nature of this CE is related to its implementation in Association, which translates into the award of a degree by each of the universities.

Objectives

This Master's programme aims to provide students with solid training and up-to-date knowledge of biological processes from an evolutionary perspective, combined with their application in the management and conservation of biological diversity. In particular, students are expected to acquire and develop knowledge and skills in:

• biodiversity, its importance and valorisation;
• analysis of biological diversity distribution patterns and ecological modelling;
• applying methodologies related to the management and conservation of biological diversity;
• methods for analysing genetic and ecological data;
• application of methodologies related to the management of museum collections and manipulation of natural history databases;
• statistical and computational analysis of biological data at a molecular and ecological level;
• developing skills in the planning and preparation of scientific research projects and oral and written skills in the presentation, application and dissemination of scientific results.

Application and Registration

Applications can be submitted in person at UMN's academic services or online by filling in the application form (you must have or create a Google account) available at https://mbgc-angola.biopolis.pt.

• Applications   01/08/2024 to 31/08/2024
• Registration   18/09/2024 to 31/08/2024

Admission requirements

• Holders of a degree or legal equivalent in the area of Biology or related field;
• Holders of a foreign higher academic degree in the field of Biology or similar awarded following a master's degree course organised in accordance with the principles of the Bologna process by a state adhering to this process;
• Holders of a foreign higher academic degree in the field of Biology or related, which is recognised as a degree by the statutorily competent scientific bodies of FCUP and UMN;
• Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum vitae that is recognised as attesting to their ability to complete this course by the statutorily competent scientific bodies of FCUP and UMN.

Note: Knowledge of the Portuguese language in terms of comprehension, oral and written expression is mandatory.

Criteria for Selection and Ranking

Selection will be made on the basis of the following criteria and sub-criteria:

1. Academic curriculum (65%)
   
   1. Sub-criterion 1: area of training (5%)
   2. Sub-criterion 2: degree average (60%)
2. Scientific curriculum and professional experience (35%)
   
   1. Sub-criterion 1: publications in technical and/or scientific journals and communications (10%)
   2. Sub-criterion 2: participation in research projects, internships in the area of the master's
   3. degree or other relevant professional experience (10%)
   4. Sub-criterion 3: training activities in the scientific area of the master's degree (10%)
   5. motivation letter (5%)

Tie-breaking criteria:

1. degree average
2. grade in scientific curriculum and professional experience
3. letter of motivation

Candidates whose final classification is lower than 50% will be excluded.

Candidates who do not yet have a degree and/or whose academic, scientific or professional curriculum is recognised as attesting to their ability to complete this master’s degree by the statutorily competent scientific body will be ranked according to the criteria and sub-criteria indicated above, but with the final degree average being replaced by the weighted average of the curricular units completed.

Information

The master's programme will take place at the Mandume Ya Ndemufayo University (Angola). The master's course will be conducted in a concentrated block format to facilitate more effective time management for students. All course materials, including examinations and other assessments, will be provided in Portuguese. Oral presentations will also be conducted in Portuguese unless there are extenuating circumstances.

• University of Mandume Ya Ndemufayo website
• Academic Services contact: academicos@umn.ed.ao
• Master Degree Contacts: mbgc@umn.edu.ao; mbgc@biopolis.pt 
• https://mbgc-angola.biopolis.pt/

General information

Study Plan

Involved Organic Units

Certificates

Predominant Scientific Areas