Niemeyer H
Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
Arch Biol Med Exp. 1986 Jan;19(1):7-28.
A study group of scientists was convened by the Sociedad de Biología de Chile (Biological Society of Chile) and the Regional Program for Graduate Training in Biological Sciences, PNUD-Unesco, RLA 78/024, to assess undergraduate and graduate studies in life sciences in Chile. The group presented this report at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Society. Discussion centered on the features that should characterize the studies leading to the academic degrees of Licenciado (Licenciate), Magíster (Master) and Doctor (Ph. D) in Sciences, and also on the qualifications that the universities should satisfy in order to grant them. After analyzing the present situation of undergraduate and graduate studies in Biological Sciences in Chilean universities, the group made the following main suggestions: 1. It is recommended that Chilean universities agree on a 4-year plan for the Licenciado degree, without the requirement of a thesis. The importance of providing the students with good laboratory exercises and field experience and with the opportunity to perform short research projects is stressed. In addition, a sound theoretical training on mathematics, physics and chemistry in the education of a modern Biologist is important. Licenciate studies ought to be the basis for professional careers and the universities should offer to the Licenciados free access to their professional schools. 2. It is considered appropriate for Chile and its universities to develop graduate programs in those disciplines that have reached a level of excellence. To accomplish this aim, adequate finance of the universities is necessary to permit them to provide the essential facilities for doing research, and to create a wide system of fellowships for graduate students. Direct government support for research and graduate student fellowships is requested. 3. Research experience of the kind needed for the preparation of a doctoral thesis is recommended as the academic level appropriate for those engaged in teaching undergraduate students in sciences. Teachers in graduate programs should be qualified active researchers. 4. The creation is proposed of a Consejo Nacional de Universidades (National Council of Universities), to be autonomous and composed primarily of outstanding scientists. One of the main functions of this Council would be to licence universities to grant undergraduate and graduate academic degrees in science. 5. The Sociedad de Biología de Chile must maintain an interest in the evaluation of undergraduate and graduate studies in life sciences.
智利生物学协会（Sociedad de Biología de Chile）和联合国开发计划署 - 联合国教科文组织生物科学研究生区域培训项目（PNUD - Unesco，RLA 78/024）召集了一个科学家研究小组，以评估智利生命科学领域的本科和研究生教育。该小组在协会第28届年会上提交了本报告。讨论集中在理科Licenciado（Licenciate）、Magíster（Master）和Doctor（Ph.D）学位课程应具备的特点，以及大学授予这些学位应满足的条件。在分析了智利各大学本科和研究生阶段生物学教育的现状后，该小组提出了以下主要建议：1. 建议智利各大学就Licenciado学位制定一个为期四年的计划，无需撰写论文。强调为学生提供良好的实验室实践和实地经验以及进行短期研究项目机会的重要性。此外，在现代生物学家的教育中，扎实的数学、物理和化学理论培训也很重要。Licenciado课程应成为职业生涯的基础，大学应向Licenciado毕业生免费开放其专业学院。2. 智利及其各大学应在已达到卓越水平的学科领域发展研究生项目。为实现这一目标，大学需要充足的资金，以便为开展研究提供必要设施，并为研究生设立广泛的奖学金体系。请求政府直接支持研究和研究生奖学金。3. 建议将撰写博士论文所需的研究经验作为适合从事理科本科教学人员的学术水平要求。研究生项目的教师应是合格的活跃研究人员。4. 提议设立一个全国大学委员会（Consejo Nacional de Universidades），该委员会应具有自主性，主要由杰出科学家组成。该委员会的主要职能之一是授权大学授予理科本科和研究生学位。5. 智利生物学协会必须继续关注生命科学领域本科和研究生教育的评估。
