Abstract:

Degrees on Chemistry and Geology are offered at the University of Alicante since September 2010. The first year course of both degrees comprises ten subjects of 6 ECTS credits each. There are several common subjects in both degree programs (MATHEMATICS I and II, PHYSICS I and II, BIOLOGY and CHEMISTRY I and II) and only 3 subjects which differ from one degree to the other. Chemistry degree students must be enrolled on the subjects GEOLOGY and BASIC LABORATORY OPERATIONS I and II while Geology degree students on BASIC LABORATORY OPERATIONS and GEOLOGY I and II. The authors of this study are professors and lecturers at the Inorganic Chemistry department, being responsible for the Chemistry II subject which covers, together with Chemistry I, the main topics of general chemistry.
During the 2010/2011 course, the students following the Chemistry II subject were divided in two groups: one of them only comprised by Chemistry degree students and the other combining students from both Chemistry and Geology degrees. During that course, it was observed that motivation and background of Chemistry and Geology degree students on a specific subject like Chemistry II were quite different depending on the parent degree, affecting the normal development of the teaching activities of the mixed group. During the 2011/2012 course, Chemistry and Geology degree students were not mixed together in the same group and the problem was solved. In addition, the average mark of the Geology students rose from 6.0 in 2010/2011 to 6.9 in 2011/2012.