INFLUENTIAL FACTORS IN ACADEMIC RETENTION IN THE LICENSEE UNDERGRADUATE COURSES IN NATURAL SCIENCES OF A BRAZILIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

The objective of this study was to identify the students' perception regarding the factors related to academic retention in two licensee courses in Nature Sciences. The subjects were academics who had already failed or blocked their enrolments in at least one component. The data collection was done through a questionnaire with questions and affirmations, which were evaluated through a five-level agreement scale. From the obtained data were made descriptive analyses, which were discussed from the Model for Study of Factors Associated with the Retention Process described in the area literature. The results indicate that the factors: secondary education, lack of student support programs, and the need to work while attending the course influence in academic retention in the context investigated. Given this, it is possible to list some actions that can minimize the high rate of retention in these courses.