Programa de Pós-graduação em Zootecnia

Presentation

The Graduate Program in Animal Science (PPGZOO) at the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC) offers Master's and Doctoral degrees in Animal Science, both recognized by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). The Master's program began in March 2015, while the Doctoral program started in March 2024. In the 2017-2020 quadrennial, the program achieved a rating of 4 in the CAPES evaluation, reflecting the quality of its research and academic training.

Currently, PPGZOO has a faculty composed of 20 professors, including faculty from UDESC and partner institutions. The program is structured into three research lines, aimed at advancing knowledge and innovative solutions in animal production. PPGZOO has stood out in the Brazilian graduate education scene through innovative research, training of highly qualified professionals, and national and international collaborations, significantly contributing to the advancement of Animal Science.

Lines of research 

1) Animal Nutrition and Feeding: addresses nutritional strategies to optimize animal performance, sustainability in production, and evaluation of alternative ingredients in animal feed.

• Determination of nutritional requirements for animals 
• Assessment of foods, coproducts, supplements, and additives for animal nutrition 
• Techniques for producing, processing, and conserving foods and feeds 
• Nutraceutical and functional effects of products on animal production 
• Nutritional and food management in animal production 

2) Animal Production Systems: focuses on productive efficiency and animal welfare, considering different management models and the environmental impact of production systems.

• Technical and economic assessment of the animal production systems 
• Quality studies of animal products  
• Ethology and animal wellbeing  
• Environmental impacts of the animal production systems and mitigation techniques 
• Forage farming and agriculture-livestock integration with emphasis on sustainable production 
• Apiculture and Wildlife Species 

3) Genetic Improvement, Reproduction, and Health Challenges in Animal Production: involves studies on genetic selection, reproductive biotechnologies, and health strategies to improve herd efficiency.

• Population and molecular genetic studies in species of zootechny interest  
• Molecular studies and physiology of animal reproduction 
• Reproductive efficiency and its impacts on animal production 
• Identification of risk factors and influence of etiological agents on animal production systems 
• Identification of genes involved in antimicrobial and antiparasitic resistance in species of zootechny interest 

Research groups 

• Additives and supplements in animal nutrition - Aleksandro Schafer da Silva. 
• Bioclimatology, etiology, ambiance, and animal production - Ana Luiza Bachmann Schogor and Diovani Paiano. 
• Soils and Sustainability - Dilmar Baretta. 
• GPAq - UDESC Aquaculture Research Group - Diogo Luiz de Alcantara Lopes 
• Animal Microbiology and Parasitology - Lenita Moura Stefani and Denise Nunes Araujo. 
• Production, Carcasses, and Meats - Julcemar Dias Kessler and Mayra Teruya Eichemberg. 
• Genomics Applied to Swine and Poultry - Mônica Correa Ledur and Jane de Oliveira Peixoto.