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Aquatic Sciences - Biology and Ecology

InformationThe course/SC is accredited by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES).
The Doctoral Programme in Aquatic Sciences (PDCMA) has as its main objective the training of highly qualified professionals capable of pursuing research and management careers in public or private institutions or companies related to the aquatic environment, or teaching at higher education level, with a strong focus on Biology and Ecology. The aim is for doctoral students to acquire advanced scientific training and the ability to independently carry out research on aquatic living resources or the aquatic environment, from a perspective of either fundamental or applied science.
The thesis topic must fall within the scope of fundamental or applied research on the various aspects of the aquatic environment, ranging from living organisms to their functions within ecosystems, and from technology to operational models. Within any of these areas, students will be able to develop the skills needed to conduct high-level research autonomously. Consulting the existing literature on the specific topic of each thesis will involve acquiring advanced knowledge of the subject under study.

Partner Institutions: The main partners of the PDCMA are the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), I3S, REQUIMTE, and the Aguda Coastal Station (ELA).


Objectives

Students should develop the skills necessary to carry out high-level research, whether fundamental or applied, acquiring advanced knowledge of specific areas related to the aquatic environment and its organisms, and building on their previous first- and second-cycle studies. To obtain the doctoral degree in Aquatic Sciences – Biology and Ecology (CMA-BE), the student must demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct experimental work, whether in the laboratory or in the field, be able to analyse the results obtained, and, based on these results, write scientific articles of a quality suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals or books of recognised international standing in the field.


Fields of Specialization

Development of original high level research on basic or applied sciences related with aquatic ecosystems (marine, estuarine or freshwater) and its organisms. Within this scope, the thesis can be focus on the following subjects: cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, histology, physiology, ecology, ecotoxicology, physical oceanography, chemistry of natural products, technological developments in aquaculture, food quality and exploitation of natural products.

Among other requirements, the inclusion of at least 1 (one) original article (full length paper) published or accepted for publication in an indexed international journal (SCI), whose 1st author is a doctoral student.

Employment Prospects

  • Scientific Research
  • Scientific Dissemination
  • Teaching in Higher Education
  • Environmental Management
  • Aquatic Resources Management
  • Aquaculture and Fisheries

Information

Course Information:

  • Start of academic year: 02 January 2026
  • Timetable: Daytime
  • Mode of study: In-person
  • Language of instruction: Portuguese
  • Standard Duration of the Course: 4 years (8 semesters)
  • Minimum number of students for the cycle of studies to operate – 1

OPEN COMPETITION 2025/2026 link: Vacancies, deadlines and criteria ( document in portuguese and english).

Link: Tuition fees 2025/2026

Re-entry applications link: 25 June to 15 July 2025 - Information here

International Students:
Important information for international students:

International students, find all the information you need to study at the University of Porto at the following links:

Although foreign candidates do not need recognition of a (graduate/master) degree to enroll in the Doctoral Programs in Portugal, if they want to apply for doctoral scholarships it will be necessary to have the recognition.

Data Protection Policy:
Consult the U.Porto Data Protection Policy here for more information on the processing of your personal data.


Contacts

Director of the Doctoral Programme
Prof. Dr. Adriano Bordalo de Sá

For clarifications regarding the thesis, please contact via e-mail: bordalo@icbas.up.pt 

For further information, please contact:

Postgraduate and Continuing Education Unit

Telephone: 220428006

Schedule:

In-Person and Telephone Assistance*

  • Monday and Thursday: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00

  • Wednesday: 10:00–12:00

  • Tuesday and Friday: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–15:30

*Due to difficulties in handling all telephone requests, we recommend that if you are unable to reach us by phone, you send your inquiry by email.

E-mail: posgrad@icbas.up.pt


Secretariat to Councils, Directors of Study Cycles and Specialised Commissions: gabsec@icbas.up.pt

General information

Official code: 5938
Director: Adriano Bordalo e Sá
Acronym: PDCMA-BE
Academic Degree: Doctor
Type of course/cycle of study: Doctoral Degree
Start: 2017/2018
Duration: 4 Years

Study Plan

Certificates

  • Doctoral Programme in Aquatic Sciences - Biology and Ecology (240 ECTS credits)

Predominant Scientific Areas

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