Effect of Streams of Science Studies in Eastern University, Sri Lanka on Graduation and Class of Degree

Abstract

The ultimate reward of a degree program is the graduation. Class of the degree is also an aspect associated with the graduation. Both graduation and class of degree are the indicators of academic performances of a graduate. Academic achievement of a graduate is affected by many factors. Hence, graduation and class of degree of a graduate also may be dependent on the same factors. A belief is among academic community that obtaining a degree in some streams are rather difficult compared with some other. That is graduation is dependent on stream of study. This study was carried out to see whether graduation in science depends on the streams (biological, physical) of science studies in Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Further, effect of streams on class of degree also was aimed to investigate. This study was carried out by using all students in a batch, of size of 109 that recently completed studies from Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The analysis was based on number of students who qualified for the graduation and the class of degree. Statistical techniques such as proportion test, chi square test, odds ratio, relative risk, logistic regression and ANOVA test were used for the analysis. Study reveals that graduation and class of degree is dependent on streams of science studies. Proportions of physical science students who qualified for graduation and the lowest class of degree are less than the corresponding proportions of biological science stream students. Stream for higher education should be selected carefully and action should be taken accordingly to promote the stream/subjects that students omit. Further, factors behind this variation also might be investigated.