Fachada do Centro de Divulgação Científica e Cultural (CDCC) da USP de São Carlos. Foto: USP Imagens – Marcos Santos.
📚 LIBRARIES
The USP Libraries app allows you to search the University library collections, locate nearby libraries, check opening hours and contact details, log in with your USP credentials, consult and renew loans, manage your loan history and reservations, scan ISBN/ISSN barcodes to check availability, and create reading lists or references that can be exported via email or Dropbox—all free of charge and available online.
Additionally, USP also has a catalog of digitized books. To access it, you may visit this website or download the “Minha Biblioteca” app (available for Android and iOS) and register with your USP credentials. Through the app, you should be able to access the catalog and download the books you need.
USP also offers, in digital format, a collection of theses and dissertations produced at the University, available at this address.
The campus libraries are as follows:
“Prof. Bernhard Gross” Library and Information Service – São Carlos Institute of Physics (IFSC)
The IFSC Prof. Bernhard Gross Library offers services such as user registration and support, local and interlibrary loans, article requests, suggestions for new acquisitions, access to scientific software, and dissemination of the institute’s academic output. It also provides training and guidance on the standardization of academic works (theses, dissertations, final papers, and articles) according to technical standards. Its infrastructure includes ample physical space with individual and group study rooms, a research room with computers, internet access, 24-hour return boxes, and a 24-hour study space.
Prof. Sérgio Rodrigues Fontes Library – São Carlos School of Engineering (EESC)
The EESC “Prof. Sérgio Rodrigues Fontes” Library offers a wide range of services to the community, including collection consultation and borrowing of its collection, online renewal, interlibrary loans, and 24-hour return. It also provides access to scientific databases, dissemination of the school’s academic output, and support for acquiring new materials. The library features individual and group study spaces, common areas, exhibitions, and accessibility infrastructure. Additionally, it offers research and publication support, as well as in-person and remote assistance (WhatsApp, email, app, and VPN).
“Prof. Johannes Rüdiger Lechat” Library – São Carlos Chemistry Institute (IQSC)
The IQSC “Prof. Johannes Rüdiger Lechat” Library offers borrowing, renewal, reservation, and return services, as well as interlibrary loan and exchange of copies. It provides access to national and international databases, the Dedalus catalog, and the institutional repository, as well as support for catalog record creation and standardization of works. It has individual, group, and common study areas, including a 24-hour access section and accessibility equipment. It also offers training in bibliographic research, database use, scientific writing, and plagiarism prevention, and hosts exhibitions and cultural events related to scientific production and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Achille Bassi” Library – Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (ICMC)
The ICMC “Achille Bassi” Library offers services such as borrowing materials, interlibrary loans, bibliographic exchange for obtaining articles, cataloging, scientific production registration, standardization of academic works, and book acquisition suggestions. It also offers training on the use of databases and information resources, provides remote VPN access to digital content, and maintains infrastructure for individual and group study.
Library of the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism (IAU)
The Library of the Institute of Architecture and Urbanism offers a variety of academic and research support services, including the generation of catalog cards and formatting guidelines for undergraduate and graduate papers, ISBN requests and ISSN guidance, and interlibrary loans. It also provides guides and tutorials on catalogs, reference managers, and e-books, as well as specialized support for researchers in technical standards, data management, bibliometrics, digital identification, journal selection, and similarity verification. These services also include access to USP networks (VPN and Eduroam) and the DigIAU digital collection, which focuses on preserving and disseminating the IAU’s institutional output.
Library of the USP São Carlos Campus Administration Office (PUSP-SC)
The Library administered by the USP São Carlos Campus Administration Office provides a physical collection of thousands of books and integrated access to USP’s digital resources, including e-books, journals, and international databases. It features modern spaces for individual and group study, as well as common areas and exhibitions. Services include interlibrary loans, new acquisition alerts, academic LaTeX templates, and remote access to digital content via VPN. It also offers internet and wireless access, research support, and assistance by phone, email, and WhatsApp.
Library of the Center for Scientific and Cultural Dissemination (CDCC-USP)
The CDCC-USP Library offers book loans to the USP community and the general public, research guidance, standardization of works, and interlibrary loans, in addition to exhibiting new collections. The space features accessibility-friendly areas, a multimedia room, a children’s play area, and educational games. It also integrates with USP’s digital portals, such as Dedalus, the Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, and the Journal and Open Books Portal, expanding access to scientific and cultural production.
📖 USP PUBLISHING HOUSE (EDUSP)
Edusp (USP Publishing House) books can be purchased at the Edusp Bookstore, located in Area 1, next to UBAS (Basic Health Care Unit).
🖨️ PRINTING/COPYING SERVICES
If you’d like to print texts, USP offers “Pró-Aluno” (Pro-Student) study rooms, which are equipped with computers connected to the internet and a printer. Each student has a semester quota of 100 free academic printouts.
Finally, if the printing quota in the pro-student room is not sufficient, or if you wish to scan and/or copy a document, there are several printing and copy shops in the vicinity of Area 1 of the USP campus:
- 016 Cópias e Gráfica (016 Copies and Graphics)
Endereço: Av. Trab. São Carlense, No. 175 – Parque Arnold Schimidt
Telephone: (16) 99617-9179
- Plocopy Cópias e Plotagem (Plocopy Copies and Plotting)
Address: Rua Dr. Carlos de Camargo Salles, No. 360 – Room 2 – Jardim Lutfalla
Telephone: (16) 3419-9889
- Brasil Cópias (Brazil Copies)
Address: Rua Capitão Adão Pereira de Souza Cabral, No. 754 – Downtown
Telephone: (16) 3376-1005
- Casa das Cópias (House of Copies)
Address: Rua Dr. Carlos de Camargo Salles, No. 32 – Jardim Lutfalla
Telephone: (16) 98171-3865
- Cópias Praça XV (Copies of Praça XV)
Address: Rua Aquidaban, No. 1368 – Downtown
Telephone: (16) 3413-0443
🍽️ FOOD
The USP São Carlos campus has two university restaurants with a self-service system: in the Area 1 Unit, opening hours include breakfast from Monday to Saturday, from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, lunch from 11:00 am to 1:15 pm (Monday to Friday) and from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm (Saturdays), and dinner from 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm (Monday to Friday). Credits can be purchased from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
In the Area 2 unit, lunch is served from Monday to Friday, from 11:15 am to 1:15 pm, with credits available for purchase from 11:15 am to 1:30 pm.
For added convenience, the USP Cardápio+ app allows you to view the daily menu, check your RUCard balance, and generate payment slips for recharging without waiting in line, while the USP e-Card app provides a digital identification card for access to university restaurants.
You can also follow the menu on this website.
🚏 TRANSPORT
USP São Carlos offers a free shuttle service connecting Areas 1 and 2 of the campus throughout the day. The buses depart from the Bus Terminal (Rua B) in Area 1 and from in front of the CAD and the Department of Materials Engineering in Area 2. Departure times include, for example, 7:20 am, 7:50 am, 8:30 am, and 9:15 am, continuing throughout the day until approximately 6:10 pm, with an estimated average travel time of 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Buses may depart earlier if they are full, and it is recommended to arrive at the stop approximately 5 minutes in advance to avoid delays. The complete shuttle schedule between Areas 1 and 2 is available at this website.
Additionally, Area 2 has an internal shuttle bus service operating during lunch hours, Monday through Friday, facilitating travel within Area 2 of the campus. Bus schedules, as well as boarding and disembarking points, are listed on this website.
🏃🏻SPORTS
The campus community has access to the infrastructure and activities offered by the USP São Carlos Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation Center (CEFER). The facility features four multi-sport courts, two tennis courts, a badminton court, two swimming pools, a gym, a soccer field, a sports hall with a multi-sport court, and an events hall.
Regarding physical activities, interested participants can choose from more than 15 modalities, some of which are offered in partnership with the Sports Association of the Centro Acadêmico Armando de Sales Oliveira (CAASO).
Throughout the year, CEFER also promotes specific activities aimed at the external community.
Contact:
Tel.: (16) 3373-9107
E-mail: <esporte.prefeitura@sc.usp.br>
🧪 SCIENCE
Center for Scientific and Cultural Dissemination (CDCC)
The University of São Paulo’s Center for Scientific and Cultural Dissemination (CDCC) is located in central São Carlos. Associated with it is the Dietrich Schiel Astronomical Observatory, located in Area I of the USP Campus.
The CDCC’s main purpose is to strengthen the relationship between the University and the community by expanding public access to the resources and outcomes of the University’s scientific and cultural production. To this end, it develops and guides activities that aimed at fostering interest in science and culture, especially among young people, while also contributing to the education of undergraduate students in the Exact Sciences at the USP São Carlos Campus.
The CDCC is open to the general public. Visitors can enjoy two themed gardens: the “Garden of Perception” (main building) and the “Garden of Heaven on Earth” (Area I of the USP São Carlos Campus), the Physics Center, and the Observatory.
Office hours can be found at <https://cdcc.usp.br/cdcc-usp-tem-funcionamento-diferenciado-de-dezembro-a-fevereiro/>. We also recommend that you check the link <https://cdcc.usp.br/> to keep up to date with upcoming events!
Dietrich Schiel Astronomical Observatory
The Observatory offers a variety of activities open to the public, including night sky observation, held on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. On the last Sunday of each month, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Solar Sunday takes place, allowing safe solar observation using special equipment. The Astronomy Session consists of lectures held on Saturdays at 7 p.m. in the Observatory amphitheater. Additionally, the Observatory Cinema screens space-themed films, animations, and documentaries.
🎭 ART AND CULTURE
The Cultural Center is a landmark venue that offers a wide range of events, including art exhibitions, musical performances, language courses, workshops, and various other cultural activities.
The USP São Carlos Choir brings together students, faculty, and staff who participate as singers, soloists, and instrumentalists. The campus also features the USP Theater (TUSP).
There are also options for cultural activities outside the university:
- Sesc São Carlos
Av. Comendador Alfredo Maffei, No. 700 – Jardim Gibertoni - Municipal Theater of São Carlos
Rua 7 de Setembro, No. 1735 – Downtown - São Carlos Cinema
Rua Major José Inácio, No. 2154 – Downtown - São Carlos Museum
Praça Antônio Prado, s/n – Ground Floor – Downtown
If you would like to learn more about the history of São Carlos, we recommend visiting the Pró-Memória Foundation website (https://www.promemoria.saocarlos.sp.gov.br/home), which is responsible for preserving the city’s cultural heritage.
The City Hall also hosts events and festivals throughout the year. To keep up with the city’s cultural programming, we recommend following the City Hall’s social media channels (https://www.instagram.com/prefeiturasaocarlosoficial/).
Finally, several private events are also part of the city’s cultural calendar, such as the nationally recognized TUSCA (São Carlos University Cup) (https://www.instagram.com/sigatusca/). We encourage you to explore the activities and enjoy everything that São Carlos has to offer!
🏥 HEALTH
During the traveler’s stay in any region of Brazil, the following useful information concerns the public health services available. It is important to highlight that the care provided is free of charge.
The USP campus has a Basic Health Care Unit (UBAS) located on its premises. This unit exclusively serves the internal campus community (students, faculty, and staff), offering free outpatient medical and dental care by appointment.
UBAS is located on campus in front of the central square in Area 1, near the banks and the E-I block of EESC. To schedule an appointment, you may contact them by phone, email, or in person. The contact numbers are +55 (16) 3364-9157, 3364-9158, and 3364-9159, and the email address is <servmed@sc.usp.br>.
In cases of more complex health issues, foreigners may also seek assistance from the emergency network of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS), accessing the following services:
SAMU 192
SAMU 192 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached free of charge by dialing 192 from local landlines or mobile phones. The service provides urgent and emergency care in any location—homes, workplaces, and public roads—through ambulances, motorcycle ambulances, and other emergency vehicles. Teams are composed of physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, and paramedics, trained to handle traumatic, clinical, pediatric, surgical, gynecological-obstetric, and mental health emergencies.
Emergency Care Units (UPAs 24h)
The Emergency Care Units (UPAs 24h) attend patients experiencing acute clinical health issues and provide initial care in surgical or trauma cases. In these units, patients are stabilized and undergo initial diagnostic evaluation, which determines whether there is a need for referral to higher-complexity hospitals.
More information can be found at this website.
