Date of Publication

5-2003

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Teaching Major in Physics

Subject Categories

Physics

College

Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education

Department/Unit

Science Education

Thesis Adviser

Melecio C. Deauna

Defense Panel Chair

Bee Ching U. Ong

Defense Panel Member

Auxencia A. Limjap
Maria Cecilia D. Galvez

Abstract/Summary

Using the cross-sectional survey and interview research designs, this study was undertaken to determine the different factors that significantly influence the student's intent to take science as college academic major.

A validated survey instrument called Factor's Influencing Students Intent to Choose College Courses in Science (FISICCCS) survey questionnaire was administered to 598 randomly selected students from 6 randomly selected secondary schools in the sixth district of the Division of City Schools of Manila. A follow-up interview was also conducted to 36 randomly chosen respondents among those who expressed intention to take science courses in college.

This study reveals that majority of the college-going students participated in the study consider science as a possible academic major in college. Of the 598 respondents,463 (77%) conveyed intention to take science as college academic major while 135 (23%) expressed aversion over college science courses. This study also discovers that the students' intent to choose college courses in science is significantly influenced by their ability to persist in pursuing their goals despite obstacles and setback (self-motivation), ability to handle disruptive emotions and impulses (managing one's emotion), and mother's occupation. Respondents also identify perceived nature of science, encouragement and support from other people, and promotion of interest through a support group as other factors that influence their intention to take science courses in college. Regression analysis showed that self-motivation and mother's occupation can significantly predict one's inclination towards science courses in college.

However, this study finds out that in spite of the expressed intention of the greater part of the respondents to take science courses in college, they are not definite on their plan of enrolling in these courses. Students consider limited opportunities after graduation, expensive education, mismatch of parents/guardians choice of course, insufficient knowledge of schools offering sciences courses, difficulty of science, change of mind of friends, difficulty of entrance procedure in schools offering science courses, poor performance in science, lack of career guidance and persistence of stereotyping on science as a masculine discipline, as hindrances in pursuing their intent to take science as college academic major.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG003640

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

Keywords

Education--Curricula; Science; Teaching; Career education

Upload Full Text

wf_yes

CDTG003640_F.pdf (2717 kB)

Share

COinS