Abstract:

The subject of Advanced Chemistry is taught in the first semester of the second course of the Chemistry Engineering degree. In the last years, there has been a decrease not only in students' grades but also in their learning attitude.

This subject was not directly affected by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but indirectly since in the 2020/21 academic year many students passed from first to second year with a really low level as a result of a very poor assessment due to the exceptionality of the situation. In the academic year 2021/22, the same perception continued after the first exam where only 11 students passed (3 with compensable mark) out of 36 presented (for a total of 50 students).

Thus, it was necessary to take new actions in order to improve the academic performance of the students as well as their motivation. It is essential that the professor put himself in the student's skin, detect their concerns, and see the things with their eyes to understand their situation, which is what finally is reflected in their academic performance.

Their learning must not only be academic but also personal. Both are related and indivisible. Then, in this sense, the present work aims a personal involvement of the students, and a closer treatment. New activities (such as step-by-step solved problems, personal tutoring, among other) have been done during the academic year 2022/23. The aim of this work is to evaluate and discuss the results obtained.

Finally, to check the students’ satisfaction, they filled a questionnaire that asked about these activities, so that they could evaluate this work. In addition, every student has the opportunity to make any observation of interest for the development of the subject.

Keywords:

Advanced Chemistry, Chemistry Engineering degree, teaching, learning quality, students’ academic performance.