Abstract

GOMES, Maria Yêda Falcão Soares de Filgueiras. Challenges and perspectives in the integration of undergraduate and graduate studies in information science: the ICI/UFBA case. Perspect. ciênc. inf. [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.3, pp. 51-66. ISSN 1413-9936.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-99362012000300005.

This text presents some results of the research ‘Information science in Brazil: facing the present challenges to consolidate the field’. It discusses aspects related to the integration between professional readiness at undergraduate level and graduate studies, based on a case study in the graduate program in information science at UFBA. To get information about this integration, we personally interviewed twelve professors, nine of whom teach at both levels; three only at graduate level.  They discussed the potentialities and the limitations of this integration; the compatibility of the graduate student’s profile with the needs of graduate studies; and the role research can play in this integration. The actions suggested to improve this integration include better articulation between the curricula for these two levels of study; more effective interlocution between the undergraduate and graduate boards; increase in the number of scholarships in the area of information science and democratization of selection policies;  investments in the physical and technological structures of the Institute of Information Science, which  is to be shared by both levels; increase in the number of graduate programs in this area, as well as a more equitable way of distributing them within the different regions in Brazil.

Keywords : Integration undergraduate [graduate and research in information science]; present challenges; Brazil.