Chemistry 1010 and 1110 are non-science major service courses that each satisfy the university Breadth
Physical Science (BPS) general education requirement. Chemistry 1010 presents chemistry conceptually
and focuses on the concepts of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biological chemistry with little
emphasis on calculations and therefore does not have any math course prerequisites. Chemistry 1110
prepares students for careers in health-related professions, environmental, and agricultural science. The
1110 course makes the study of chemistry an engaging and positive experience by relating the structure
and behavior of matter to its role in health and the environment. Chemistry 1110 uses a relatively larger
amount of math and therefore has a college algebra (Math 1050) prerequisite. CHEM 1110 is also a 4credit, one-semester course that meets four times a week in lecture in order to cover all the principles
of general chemistry and some introductory principles of organic chemistry.
A year ago, the 1010 and 1110 courses differed from the 1210 and 1220 courses (1st and 2nd semester
general chemistry for science majors) by not having a 100-point quiz component of the overall course
grade. Regular class attendance is essential in assisting students with the mastery of the course material
and positive exam performance. Therefore, four unannounced 25-point quizzes were added to the 1010
and 1110 course grade to encourage daily class attendance and regular study of topics discussed in
class. Each quiz is administered approximately half-way between each exam and is designed to provide
frequent assessment of course comprehension and performance. This practice of administering quizzes
is also currently being used by another CHEM 1010 instructor (Dr. Don Davies of the chemistry
department at Weber State University).
In order to determine if there was a direct correlation between regular class attendance and improved
exam performance, an analysis was performed in which the exam average percentages of two groups
were compared. One group is composed of students that missed at least one quiz and the second group
is composed of students that were present for and completed all four unannounced quizzes. The
following data table includes the exam average percentage results for the above-mentioned groups for
the fall 2014 semester CHEM 1010, CHEM 1110, and interactive broadcast distance education CHEM
1110 courses. For reference, the following grade percentage brackets that are used by all first-year Utah
State University chemistry courses is provided:
100% - 92%
A
91% - 88%
A
87% - 85%
B+
84% - 81%
B
80% - 77%
B
76% - 73%
C+
72% - 64%
C
63% - 60%
C
59% - 57%
D+
56% - 50%
D
CHEM 1010
Missed Quiz Group (62 students)
Completed Quiz Group (98 students)
CHEM 1110
Missed Quiz Group (60 students)
Completed Quiz Group (102 students)
CHEM 1110 – Interactive Broadcast
Missed Quiz Group (12 students)
Completed Quiz Group (39 students)
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
74%
84%
65%
74%
66%
74%
61%
71%
81%
87%
74%
83%
54%
65%
52%
70%
84%
83%
70%
73%
63%
69%
61%
73%
It appears that there is a direct correlation between improved exam performance and regular class
attendance with the completion of all four administered unannounced quizzes. In order to maintain a
sense of consistency with the 1200 chemistry courses, respond to previous student evaluations
requesting that the CHEM 1010 and 1110 grade not be based solely upon exams, and in order to
encourage daily class attendance and preparation, the four unannounced quizzes will remain as an
essential component of the CHEM 1010 and 1110 course grade.
Future assessment endeavors will include additional student-centered in-class activities that have
proven successful with introductory chemistry courses taught by Karen Timberlake (author of the text
adopted for use in CHEM 1110).