Results of a Questionnaire Survey on the Causes of Dropouts in Agriculture and Engineering Training Courses at the Faculty of Engineering

Abstract

We have prepared a questionnaire within the framework of EFOP-3.4.3-16-2016-00014 AP 1.2.3 “Development of programmes to reduce dropouts in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics” to measure the reasons for the dropouts among students studying at the University of Szeged Faculty of Engineering. The questionnaires were completed between 10th November and 20th November 2017. According to the results, the most difficult subjects to complete for students are mathematics, chemistry, biology and electrical engineering (which is based on physics). The reason for the students’ difficulties is mainly the lack of knowledge that should have been acquired in high school. Therefore, students do not comprehend what has been said at the lectures and seminars. Catch-up courses could significantly support the successful preparation of the students, where the main goal would be to learn the relevant parts of the high school curriculum at a higher level. Therefore, we suggest that the curricula for the mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics catch-up courses be prepared which can help students prepare more effectively, reducing student dropout rates.