Analysis of factors that influence student success in principles of chemistry at the University of Iow

The large number of students who experience difficulty in first year college chemistry has been an area of concern for many years. The purpose of this study was to identify factors which could be used to predict performance in Principles of Chemistry at the University of Iowa. The population was 2488 students who had taken 4:013 Principles of Chemistry and or 4:014 Principles of Chemistry at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, between the August 1992 and December 1993. Two statistical models were developed to assist in appropriate placement decisions in 4:013 Principles of Chemistry. A discriminant model was developed to serve as an initial placement guide. A grade of "C-" or better was classified as successful while and a grade of less than "C-" was considered as unsuccessful. It was found a score of 23 on the ACT mathematics test correctly identified 76% of students. A linear regression model was developed from the independent variables to predict final grades in both courses.;For 4:013 Principles of Chemistry the regression analysis found the four major independent variables to be ACT math score, high school biology grade, ACT English score, and high school chemistry grade. The four variables had an R of.5304 and a r$sp2$ of.2814. The predictive equation developed was: course grade =.070*ACT Math +.227*high school biology grade +.035*ACT English +.189*high school chemistry grade $-$1.95.;The regression analysis developed for 4:014 Principles of Chemistry found the only significant variable to include in the equation was grade in 4:013 Principles of Chemistry. The variable had an R of.6992 and an r$sp2$ of.4886. The predictive equation developed for 4:014 Principles of Chemistry was: Grade =.699*Grade in 4:013 +.254.;It is felt that if academic advisors use the two models developed for 4:013 Principles of Chemistry, students would have a better understanding of the probability of success in the course and could make an informed decision on a course of action.