Procedures for Defense
• Dissertations and theses from the Postgraduate Program in Endocrinology must follow the guidelines of the MANUAL FOR PREPARATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF ACADEMIC WORKS, 8th revised edition, UFRJ, 2023. Access the Document HERE!
• A doctoral thesis may include published articles and manuscripts to be published, replacing the methodology and results sections and potentially forming chapters. Introduction and objectives will follow the original format. However, the discussion and conclusion should encompass all mentioned articles and manuscripts. References will be those cited in the introduction and discussion, as the articles have their own reference sections.
• Before scheduling the date and inviting board members, defense procedures must be observed.
• Graduate students must verify completion of the required credits and pass the foreign language proficiency test (English) with a sufficient score for their level (minimum score of 7.0 for Master's and 8.0 for Doctorate).
• The foreign language proficiency test (English) is offered periodically by the institution. It is recommended to take it at the earliest opportunity after enrollment; if a retake is necessary, there will be sufficient time.
• Proficiency exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge may replace the foreign language proficiency test (English), provided authenticated certificates are presented and approved by the coordination of the Graduate Program in Endocrinology.
Defense Information
• To request defense information, it is necessary to send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a 30-day notice.
• Provide the planned defense date, full name, CPF (Brazilian taxpayer registry), DRE (UFRJ student registry number), and submit the transcript for analysis.
• Subsequently, upon clearance from the secretary to proceed with the defense request, fill out the "Defense Information" and "Form DE-05". Form DE-05 should be completed using Cambria font (size 11). Access the Form HERE!
• Later, submit the documents via email, one document per PDF file, except those requiring front and back information, which should be in the same PDF file. All documents must be sent in the same email.
Information about Committee Members
• Full names of committee members (without abbreviations) and CPF numbers.
All information below equally applies to members of the Graduate Program in Endocrinology or external members:
• Specify the title of the committee participant (e.g., Doctorate in Biological Sciences).
• Specify the institution in Brazil or abroad where the doctoral degree was obtained.
• Specify which Graduate Program at UFRJ they are affiliated with or at which external institution they work.
• Information about their location, function, sector, and institution of both committee members and substitutes.
• Provide links to the Lattes CVs of committee members and substitutes.
Doctoral Defense Committee Composition
The doctoral defense committee must consist of 5 regular members and 2 substitutes, including:
• 2 internal members of the program, who are permanent professors;
• 2 external members from outside the program;
• 1 member to be decided by the advisor and student;
• 2 substitutes, including:
• 1 internal member of the program, who is a permanent professor (internal substitute);
• 1 external member from outside the program (external substitute).
Master's Defense Committee Composition
The master's defense committee must consist of 3 regular members and 2 substitutes, including:
• 1 internal member of the program, who is a permanent professor;
• 1 external member from outside the program;
• 1 member to be decided by the advisor or student;
• 2 substitutes, including:
• 1 internal member of the program, who is a permanent professor (internal substitute);
• 1 external member from outside the program (external substitute).
Rules for Committee Composition
In accordance with Circular Letter Nº. 12892/2022/MPF/PR/RJ/APC, Graduate Programs (PPGs) must adhere to Recommendation Nº. 31/2022 of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office for the composition of examination committees, dissertation and thesis defense boards, or evaluation committees for admission of personnel, including faculty, adapting their internal regulations and rules, failing which titles obtained contrary to such guidelines may not be considered by CAPES in future evaluations.
A brief summary of Recommendation No. 31/2022 of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office is as follows:
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The minimum qualification required for any member of an examination committee or judging committee is that they hold the degree sought by the candidate, and it is unacceptable for the qualification requirements of the examiner to be lower than those prescribed for the candidate, which allows individuals who could not pass the exam or who do not possess the title sought by the candidate to act as examiners.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Cases of kinship, affinity, commercial, corporate, emotional, academic relationships, and in general, suspicion and impediment scenarios are not allowed to prevent conflicts of interest.
EXOGENY: Examination committees and judging committees must meet minimum requirements of exogeny to prevent committees exclusively composed of former students of the institution or former students of the president of the board, a practice that does not ensure independence in evaluation and can also lead to conflicts of interest.
EXTERNAL EXAMINER: The concept of an "external examiner" requires uniform treatment regarding the examiner's affiliation with another PPG or institution, and it is prohibited to consider former students of the university who are not formally linked to another institution as "external examiners".
In summary, in evaluations of academic courses conducted by CAPES, only titles obtained through approval by a committee or examination board that respects minimum criteria of impartiality and exogeny (minimum number of external examiners), and composed of members or examiners who hold at least the same degree as the candidates or applicants for the title (with no equivalence or similar titles allowed), will be considered. In this sense, mere job titles such as "emeritus professor", "full professor", "guest professor", do not correspond to titles awarded under applicable law and cannot be used to equate titles unsupported by law.
Office of the President's Office/PR-2
Graduate Program and Research Vice-Rectorate/UFRJ
Opening a defense board approval process
• Required documents should be sent via email to the Graduate Program in Endocrinology.
• Each document should be sent in a separate file, except those that are double-sided, which should be in the same PDF file.
• Incomplete documentation will prevent authorization of the defense.
List of documents to be sent for opening a defense board approval process:
• CPF (authenticated by notary public);
• Civil identity card (authenticated by notary public);
• Order ID card (authenticated by notary public);
• Military service certificate (men) (authenticated by notary public);
• Voter registration certificate (authenticated by notary public);
• Birth certificate (authenticated by notary public);
• Marriage certificate (if name change due to marriage or divorce) (authenticated by notary public);
• Undergraduate diploma (for Master's and Doctorate) (authenticated by notary public);
• Master's degree completion certificate (for Doctorate) (authenticated by notary public);
• Qualifying Exam minutes (for Doctorate).
Procedures after the defense
After the defense, the following must be submitted:
• Defense minutes;
• Form for meeting the requirements of the Defense Board with approval;
• Electoral discharge certificate, available on the TRE website (replaces voter registration);
• Proof of registration and CPF status, available on the IRS website (replaces CPF).
Note: Incomplete documentation delays/prevents issuance of completion certificates.
• After corrections (maximum period of 60 days) and obtaining the cataloging card, the final document in PDF format should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sample Invitation Letter
• It is suggested that members of the master's or doctoral defense board be invited at least 30 days in advance of the defense date via invitation letter; Access the Invitation Letter Model HERE!
• Defenses may be held in person, hybrid mode (with part of the board present in the same location while others may be remote), or fully remote (Resolution CEPG UFRJ Nº. 128, dated November 11, 2022). Access Resolution CEPG UFRJ Nº. 128 HERE!
• After agreement by all on the scheduled date and time for the defense, whether in person, hybrid, or remote mode, the Approval Form for Master's or Doctoral Dissertation Defense Committee (Form DE-05) should be completed.
