ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF CHEMISTRY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT 

The study aimed at assessing the factors that influenced students’ choice to study chemistry in the University of Benin. In view of the purpose of this study, five research questions were raised to guide this study. A total of one hundred (100) respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique and this was used for the study. The major instrument used for collection was a questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using simple frequency tables. The result revealed that University of Benin undergraduate chemistry students’ competence in chemistry during their secondary school days significantly influences their choice of chemistry as a course of study. It also showed that the lack of chemical laboratory competence by University of Benin undergraduate students does not have a significant influence on their choice to study chemistry. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students in secondary schools should be encouraged to learn chemistry in their secondary school days, and for them to be taught, nurtured, and mentored by highly qualified chemistry teachers.