Performance of Biology Major and Minor Students of University of Education, Winneba in Two Biology Courses compared

Abstract The study investigated the differences in performances of Biology major and minor students and determined the differences in performance of male and female students in levels 100 and 200 in two Biology courses in the University of Education, Winneba. Two hypotheses were tested using one factor analysis of variance and t-test. The design used was results analysis and comparison. The population was level 200 Biology major and minor students who were taught Cytology in level 100 and Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in level 200. Two hundred and sixty eight students took Cytology in level 100, whereas 274 took Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in level 200. Performances in the two biology courses were analysed and compared after the continuous assessment and examination scores were put together. In Cytology, Biology students performed best (64.94±1.2), followed by Chemistry (62.26±1.30 and Integrated Science (60.99±1) students. There were significant differences between the means of the students of the three programmes (F = 3.31; df = 2/267; P = 0.04 and α =0.05). Chemistry students performed best in Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biotechnology followed by Biology students and then Integrated Science students. However, there were no significant differences between the means for Introduction to Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (F = 2.16; df = 2/273; p = 0.12 and α =0.05). Furthermore, male and female students performed equally in the two courses. The recommendation is that the University should expand its Biology laboratories and procure more science equipment for its Biology students. Keywords: Cytology, Biology, Integrated Science, Chemistry, easy course, Biotechnology