2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Comparing Success Rates in Thermodynamics: The Effect of Transfer Credits in Prerequisite Calculus and Physics Courses

Presented at Mechanical Engineering Division (MECH) Technical Session 12: Prerequisite Skills and Knowledge

Many mechanical engineering students earn transfer credit for calculus and physics courses. This paper examines the impact of transfer credits on academic success in a junior-level thermodynamics course, using data from 738 undergraduate students at the University of San Antonio from 2019 to 2022. Results show that students who transfer credit for Calculus I tend to perform better in thermodynamics, with a pass rate on the first attempt around 10 percentage points higher than those who earn credit for Calculus I at the University. Differences in pass rates for transfer credits in Calculus II and Physics I are less significant. The data suggests that students with high numbers of transfer credits have equivalent or higher academic success in thermodynamics compared to those with little or no transfer credits. A student satisfaction survey found that many students earn Calculus I credit while in high school and express high satisfaction with the instruction received. There is no significant differences in student satisfaction between community colleges and university Calculus or Physics courses. These findings shed light on the impact of transfer credits on academic success and student satisfaction in thermodynamics.

Authors

Dr. Randall D. Manteufel http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9829-2723 The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

Dr. Randall Manteufel is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He has won several teaching awards, including the 2012 University of Texas System Regent's Outstanding Teaching Award.
Dr. Amir Karimi P.E. The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

Amir Karimi, University of Texas, San Antonio Amir Karimi is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1982. His teaching and research interests are in thermal sciences. He has served as the Chair of Mechanical Engineering (1987 to 1992 and September 1998 to January of 2003), College of Engineering Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (Jan. 2003-April 2006), and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies (April 2006-September 2013). Dr. Karimi is a Fellow of ASEE, a Fellow of ASME, senior member of AIAA, and holds membership in ASHRAE, and Sigma Xi. He has served as the ASEE Campus Representative at UTSA, ASEE-GSW Section Campus Representative, and served as the Chair of ASEE Zone III (2005-07). He chaired the ASEE-GSW section during the 1996-97 academic year.
Prof. Ender A Finol University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]

Dr. Ender Finol is a Professor and the Zachry Endowed Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering at University of Texas at San Antonio. He teaches the courses Thermodynamics I and Fluid Mechanics as part of the undergraduate core curriculum in mechanical engineering. His research expertise is in vascular biofluid mechanics and soft tissue mechanics.

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