The Graduate Program in Health Sciences (PPGCSa) was approved by Resolution No. 021/2001-CONSEPE/UFRN and by CAPES at the master’s level, as documented on December 17, 2001, and at the doctoral level, as documented on December 20, 2004, under Document No. 264/2004/CTC/CAPES. The Program is governed by the Statute of UFRN, last updated by Resolution No. 013/2008-CONSUNI, dated December 1, 2008; the General Regulations of UFRN, last updated by Resolution No. 009/2018-CONSUNI, dated August 13, 2018; Resolution No. 197/2013-CONSEPE, dated December 10, 2013, which regulates graduate programs and courses at UFRN; and the Internal Regulations of PPGCSa, as established in Case No. 23077.036256/2019-85, Decision No. 187/2025 – CPG/PPG.

Within the CAPES evaluation area of “Medicine II,” PPGCSa has been linked, since 2011, to the basic area of “Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.” PPGCSa is a graduate program of academic excellence, rated 7 by CAPES.

The current coordination is held by Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Pegado, with Prof. Dr. Grasiela Piuvezam serving as vice-coordinator. Both are committed to fostering internationalization and increasing scientific productivity in the field of Health Sciences through publication in high-impact international journals.

OBJECTIVES

General Objective:

Formation of quality human resources (Masters and Doctors) in the area of health, Scientific and technological development, directed to scientific production in the area of Health Sciences, with the product, articles published in high impact international magazines and patents. In addition to encouraging scientific exchange with major international reference centers.

Specific Objectives:

- Provide knowledge, preparing students for the performance of research and higher teaching activities in the area of Health Sciences, prioritizing the qualification of research professors from public and private universities based in Natal and from higher education institutions in the state of Rio Grande North and Northeast Brazil, as well as several other regions of the country.

- Encourage research and publication in journals with good impact factors, aiming to promote scientific productivity in the area of Health Sciences.

- Train as many human resources as possible with updated, differentiated and excellent qualifications in the area, with the capacity to exchange knowledge with the best national and international research centers.

- Internationalize the program with the exchange of students and teachers between Brazil, Europe and the United States, through research projects (Cofecub, Sem Fronteiras - Special Visiting Researcher and PGCI - General Program for International Cooperation).