Why Some Stay: A Study of Factors Contributing to Persistence In Undergraduate Physics.

This paper reports on research undertaken to provide information about the factors influencing student persistence in undergraduate physics programs at the University of Montreal in Quebec, Canada. Data collection methods included student interviews, faculty and staff interviews, and two separate questionnaire administrations to students enrolled in the physics programs. Findings indicate that approximately 50% of students registered for courses do not attend classes, either the week before final exams in the second term or shortly after the mid-term exams in the first term. Many students were found to have a very limited appreciation of what they could actually do with a degree in physics. While analyzing the differences between the students who continued in their physics studies and those who did not, the only significant difference came from students' perceptions of their potential success and their skills and knowledge. Contains 18 references. (JRH)