title: [Tracking study to improve basic academic ability in chemistry for freshmen].
abstract: The aims of this study were to assess the basic academic ability of freshmen with regard to chemistry and implement suitable educational guidance measures. At Tohoku Pharmaceutical University, basic academic ability examinations are conducted in chemistry for freshmen immediately after entrance into the college. From 2003 to 2009, the examination was conducted using the same questions, and the secular changes in the mean percentage of correct response were statistically analyzed. An experience survey was also conducted on 2007 and 2009 freshmen regarding chemical experiments at senior high school. Analysis of the basic academic ability examinations revealed a significant decrease in the mean percentage of correct responses after 2007. With regard to the answers for each question, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of correct answers for approximately 80% of questions. In particular, a marked decrease was observed for calculation questions involving percentages. A significant decrease was also observed in the number of students who had experiences with chemical experiments in high school. However, notable results have been achieved through the implementation of practice incorporating calculation problems in order to improve calculation ability. Learning of chemistry and a lack of experimental experience in high school may be contributory factors in the decrease in chemistry academic ability. In consideration of the professional ability demanded of pharmacists, the decrease in calculation ability should be regarded as a serious issue and suitable measures for improving calculation ability are urgently required.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Education Center, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan. s-atsuko@tohoku-pharm.ac.jp
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Mieko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morone
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Azuma
mesh_terms: D002621:Chemistry / Q000193:education*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*