So, maybe you thought chemistry was just learning the names of atoms, how they are constructed (electrons, protons, and neutrons), and some trends on the periodic table.  Well, not so fast.  It turns out that to explain the behavior and properties of atoms and molecules, you need to rely on mathematical explanations.  Now, for general chemistry, you can get by with a solid algebra and pre-calculus training.  But, you will need calculus for upper division chemistry classes.  In some ways, chemistry is APPLIED MATH!

I like to ask high school students who are interested in succeeding in chemistry, “what can you do in high school to be better prepared for chemistry in college?”  The answer I frequently get is “take more chemistry classes”.  Actually, the answer is “Take more math classes!”  The materials in our world and universe behave in a way that can be approximated with mathematical formulas!  In fact, the correlation of math skills to general academic performance has been documented. 

It has been known for over 60 years that a general chemistry student’s mathematical preparation is directly related to their performance (i.e. grade!).   This has been documented many times over the years and more recently in a paper entitled “The Correlation Between Mathematical Skills and Success in Chemistry” by Karen Hicks and Lenora Overstreet from Radford University for their EDEF 606-Educational Research class.  You can Google this title and find the paper online.  This paper documents the studies that have been done since the 1940’s to assess student’s performance and readiness for chemistry by testing their math skills.   Here at Andrews, your math skills are assessed by the relatively straightforward test called the Math Placement Exam.  We have taken those scores and shown a direct correlation with the student’s final grade in General Chemistry. 

Student Grouping or Categories based on MPE Score (AU Study)

Note:  Need a P3 or higher to get into General Chemistry…some students accidentally found a loophole and were able to register and attend Chem131 without meeting this requirement!  I think we have fixed this loophole.

          Category = Explanation

•      P5 =  This category contains the average grade (percentage) of all students with a P5 MPE score.

•      P4(a) = This category contains the average grade for those who passed the MPE with a P4 on first try.

•      P4(b) = This category contains all students with MPE= P4 score.

•      P3(a) = Passed with a P3 on first try

•      P3(b) = All P3 scores

•      P2(a) = Passed with a P2 on first try

•      P2(b) = All P2 and lower scores

•      Trans = Allowed into class by meeting Math requirements or transferred in the appropriate math class.

Conclusions of AU Study

•      The MPE score correlates with final grades.  Higher MPE score = Higher General Chemistry Grade (on average).

•      P3 and P2 students can “pass” the class but they will struggle.  Pass = C- (60%) or better.

•      Highest performance is by P5 students.  But having a P5 or P4 is no guarantee of success, you still need to come to class and do the work!

•      Math skills are critical for success in Chem131 which is a critical class for all pre-professionals, scientists, and engineers. 

•      High school students are encouraged to strengthen their arithmetic and algebra skills. 

•      AU MPE testing correlates strongly with final grade in General Chemistry.