Increasing Graduation Rates and Closing Gaps:
Exploring Individual and Environmental Factors that Contribute to Performance and Retention in Second-Year Chemistry Majors

Project Lead: Julia Chan and Sachel M. Villafane-Garcia

SUMMARY

Organic chemistry, which is usually a course taken during the second year, is notoriously known for its difficulty and high DFW rate. Based on data from the past 12 semesters at CSUF, we observe that the DFW rate for all students enrolled in organic chemistry I and II is 30 and 23 percent, respectively. Because of its high DFW rate, organic chemistry is considered a bottleneck course. Our project focuses on tracking chemistry and biochemistry majors who fall out of the four-year graduation path during their second-year of college through a two stage research study design: i) exploratory (identifying factors) and ii) predictive modeling (quantifying factors). The following research question will guide our study:   What are the key factors (individual and environmental) that contribute to retention in second-year biochemistry and chemistry majors?   In addition, to what extent are these factors impacted by demographic characteristics (sex, firstgeneration college students, URM students), and differentiated for students identified as being “on track” and those that are not.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

The outcomes of this study are to identify and quantify individual and environmental factors through a predictive model in order to gain understanding of the reasons why students fall out of the four-year graduation track. Understanding these factors will help us as a department to develop targeted and effective interventions for advancing CSUF GI 2025 goals, specifically by increasing students’ success and graduation rates and decreasing the equity gaps.