Student Perspectives On Chemistry Support Course, Success, and Barriers

There is a student success gap for underrepresented, first-generation, and transfer students shown in their increased DFW rates for General Chemistry 1. However, they demonstrate higher levels of resilience in continuing through a chemistry degree path, suggesting the first General Chemistry course is the barrier. A co-requisite support course (BASE) designed to reduce barriers in these categories by Building Student Assurance, Security, and Engagement is one solution to increase student success in General Chemistry. Appalachian State University began offering a one-hour support course in Fall 2021 to increase success in the first semester of General Chemistry. The course offers support with both chemistry material and success skills through activities designed to increase student skills and involvement. Data collected over five semesters shows the % DFW rates of students enrolled in the support course (34.4%) are similar to all students in the first-semester General Chemistry course (35.4%). However, the % DFW rates are lower than the historical rates for students in underrepresented groups, which indicates the support course may increase student success. Current research examines the student perspective to understand how the support course prompts student growth with data collection in both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.