Analysis of Studying Failure Among Students in the Initial Period of Chemistry Teaching Programs at Fpe Uwb in Pilsen

Abstract

This paper deals with the analysis of the failure of students in bachelor’s programs Chemistry in Education at Faculty of Education (FPE) University of West Bohemia (UWB) in the initial period of study. Many students of this programs had difficulties with passing the exams in the 1st year of study. These troubles could be partially caused by different level of high schools Chemistry teaching, students transition to university with another teaching style and higher demands on additional self-studying. The crucial compulsory courses in winter semester of the 1st year study programs are Chemical Calculations, General Chemistry and in summer semester it is Inorganic Chemistry. This article analyzes selected tasks of mentioned courses credit tests and exams. These assignments are focused mainly on the issues of chemical nomenclature, chemical equation solutions and basic chemical calculation exercises. Students failure is discussed based on the data coming from summary tables. The benefits of remedial courses there are also evaluated, these courses were prepared and implemented within the framework ESF project aiming to help students successfully complete the initial period of their studies.