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External Factors that Affect Grades in Graduate Physiology

Department of Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

ABSTRACT

Data from 251 students over 11 yr were used to evaluate factors affecting the final grade in a graduate animal anatomy and physiology course. Background information obtained on the first class day included major, major professor, degree(s) and location(s) of matriculation, and participation in science courses. A pretest was administered to identify each student's background. Final numerical grade was influenced by major, degree, College where bachelor's degree was obtained, and gender. Students from fisheries and wildlife had higher final numerical grade than other majors. Undergraduates scored lower than master's or doctoral students. Students from small colleges and foreign institutions obtained lower final numerical grades than students from agricultural universities and major colleges. Females had higher final grades (81.3 ± 1.7) than males (79.6 ± 1.7). Pretest score was indicative of final grade and was affected by degree, college of bachelor's degree, year, and organic chemistry. Master's students had pretest scores 6.1 higher than bachelor's students; students with organic chemistry scored higher than students with none, and foreign students score lowest of all groups by college of bachelor's degree. Change in score from pretest to final grade was affected by major, degree, gender, and pretest score. The student's background in biochemistry, cell physiology, and organic chemistry and motivation can affect success in graduate physiology and anatomy.