The characteristics of the Professional Masterís course of the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering of the Federal University of Santa Catarina and those of three sub-projects, one concluded and two in progress, are presented. These experiences represent an opportunity to place the faculty members in contact with applied problems and improve cooperation between the university and industry, establishing new research themes and promoting new lines of investigation in the Program. In its present conception, each sub-project of the Professional Masterís course should be specific and offered to a particular branch of industry. Finally, the number of these sub-projects in the same Graduate Program should be controlled in order to avoid potential adverse effects on teaching and research activities.