External factors that affect grades in graduate physiology

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Anatomy
• Physiology Education

Background:

• Graduate-level animal anatomy and physiology courses require specific foundational knowledge.
• Student demographics and prior academic experiences can influence performance in advanced science coursework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors affecting student performance in a graduate animal anatomy and physiology course.
• To analyze the relationship between student background, pretest scores, and final course grades.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 251 students over 11 years.
• Collected background information including major, degree, matriculation institution, and science course participation.
• Administered a pretest to assess prior knowledge.

Main Results:

• Final grades were influenced by major (fisheries and wildlife majors performed higher), degree level (undergraduates scored lower), institution type (agricultural universities and major colleges yielded higher grades), and gender (females scored higher).
• Pretest scores predicted final grades and were affected by degree, bachelor's degree institution, and prior organic chemistry coursework.
• Score improvement from pretest to final grade varied by major, degree, gender, and pretest score.

Conclusions:

• A strong foundation in biochemistry, cell physiology, and organic chemistry, along with motivation, are crucial for success in graduate anatomy and physiology.
• Understanding student background variables can help tailor educational strategies for improved outcomes in specialized science courses.