Curricular guidelines, Professional regulation, Undergraduate Thesis
Abstract
An evaluation of the curriculum of the Batchelor in Geology degree at the University of São Paulo is presented in the light of the new concepts incorporated to it as compared to the previous curriculum, to other programs of undergraduate Geology in Brazil, and to other traditional programs in the same University. Compared to the previous structure, an important reduction in the number of class hours (23%) occurred, especially in the fundamental courses (36%); the program also became more flexible, with 25% of the total number of class hours corresponding to optional courses (9%) and an Undergraduate Thesis (16%). Taking into account the present situation and projections of the professional market, and also the new regulations for professional exercise, it is suggested that the current proportion between fundamental, geological and applied courses, as well as the flexibility of the program, are maintained. The flexibility, however, could be more effective by diminishing the number of hours of the Undergraduate Thesis, which could be occupied by a larger number of optional disciplines. It seems also important that the geological community concentrates its efforts to approve, at the Federal Education Council, the national curricular guidelines, which constitute the basis for the creation of new programs, for any more profound reformulations of current curricula, and for a better understanding between the universities and the professional regulation organisms.
