Analysis of Undergraduate Mathematic Students’ Understanding on Microscopic Representation of General Chemistry Lecture based on their Scientific Reasoning Ability

Abstract

Undergraduate mathematic students (UMS)’ scientific reasoning can affect their ability to do abstraction of microscopic phenomenon. Based on Piaget’s theory of cognitive development of UMS are in operational formal category, but this research was found that only 2 students of UMS whose have scientific reasoning as formal category. The aim of this research was analysing UMS’ achievement on understanding microscopic representation based on their scientific reasoning (concrete, transition, or formal category). Mixed method was used in this research which integrated quantitative data (test score) and qualitative data (analysing of understanding and scientific reasoning ability). The research funding that mean score test of UMS as formal reasoned (F) were the highest. UMS as transition reasoner and concrete reasoner were difficult to solve stoichiometry calculation which contains microscopic representation. Question about limiting reactant based on molecule representation, that 10,7% of UMS as concrete reasoner (C) answered there was no limiting reactant. The characteristic of concrete reasoner (C) is understanding based on observable object. They difficult to transform it as microscopic representation (number of molecules as reactant and product) which was written on net reaction as symbolic representation. They did not consider stoichiometric chemical equation by using representation of X as a variable in mathematical calculations. Another response that 14,3% of UMS as transition reasoner (T) determined limiting reactant by using logical mathematic equation of (mole=mass/molar mass) without considered coefficient in net reaction. In general chemistry learning, requires innovation to visualize microscopic aspects, so that UMS at concrete reasoning and transitions reasoning have the ability to interpret microscopic phenomena which is not observed by naked eyes.