strict sense is a Latin expression meaning "in the strict sense". It is used to refer that a given interpretation must be understood in its strict sense. It is incorporated into other languages and areas of study such as Biology, Law, Linguistics, Semiotics, etc.
Lato sensu is also a Latin expression meaning "in a broad sense". It is interpreted as the opposite of "stricto sensu" because it must be understood in the broadest and widest sense of something.
In Brazil, the Latin expressions "lato sensu" and "stricto sensu" were introduced in the education system to distinguish postgraduate courses of shorter or longer duration.
The stricto sensu postgraduate courses comprise master's and doctoral programs subject to recognition and authorization by the MEC.
These are longer courses, which can vary from two to five years, and involve the formulation of an unprecedented problem that must be developed in the particular and specific sense of a theory. At the end of the course, the student receives a diploma with the academic title of Master or Doctor.
Unlike the "lato sensu" postgraduate courses that comprise specialization courses and MBAs. At the end of the course, the student receives a certificate of course completion.