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Academic Background And Prerequisite Skills For Success In College Freshman Physics, Jean Friend Condrey

Master's Theses

Instructors of college freshman introductory physics in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia were surveyed to determine which academic courses, technical skills and general skills acquired in high school are essential for success in their courses. Faculty responses were analyzed using mean and percent frequency, while comparison of their responses by size of physics department was analyzed using chi square. Each student's responses were compared to those of his or her instructor using a paired sample t test. The general skills of English language usage were found to be the most important skills. Results from the students surveyed indicated similar …