Next Steps after Poor General Chemistry I Performance and STEM Degree Completion

Abstract

Poor performance in a General Chemistry I course via C- and DFW grades correlates with high STEM major attrition. Little research has been conducted on student next steps after an unsuccessful semester in General Chemistry I and subsequent STEM degree outcomes. This study utilized retrospective transcript analysis from 1,312 students deemed unsuccessful via low grades, failure, or withdrawal from General Chemistry I over a five-year period at a Midwestern R1 institution. It examined the extent to which student actions, including repeating the course, moving on to the next course, or taking no chemistry course the semester immediately after unsuccessful General Chemistry I performance, predicted STEM degree completion. Students reattempting the course generally earned higher grades. However, binary logistic regression analysis suggested that students initially passing General Chemistry I with low grades were slightly more likely to earn STEM degrees in their original majors if they moved on to General Chemistry II versus repeating the General Chemistry I course. Students who failed or withdrew from General Chemistry I were more likely to earn STEM degrees if they reattempted General Chemistry I in the next semester versus taking no chemistry, although only approximately half of the failing or withdrawing students reattempted the course. Race, first-generation status, and gender were nonsignificant predictors of degree persistence for students with similar initial course outcomes. Results suggest considering opportunity costs in retaking courses if earning low passing grades initially but encourage second course attempts after initial withdrawals or failures.