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Succeeding In Introduction To Physical Science: Is Mathematics Background Important?, Wilson J. Gonzalez-Espada

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Most college students complete courses in physical and life science as general education requirements. Although the level of difficulty of these survey courses is relatively low compared to upper-level science courses, a number of students still struggle to pass them. The purpose of this research was to investigate (a) the nature of mathematics background of students enrolling in physical science courses; (b) the change in mathematics ability of students at the end of the semester; and (c) what is the relationship between mathematics background and course completion and success. A 15-item test of basic mathematics skills was administered as a …