A decline in numeracy skills among bioscienceunder graduates

This study provides evidence of a decline in basic numeracy skills among first-year bioscience undergraduate students. The results of two types of numeracy test are presented. The first, a test of conceptualised numeracy skills which forms a component of an introductory microbiology module, indicated a decline in numeracy skills between 1995 and 2000, and a significant positive correlation between students' highest mathematics qualifications and their scores for their first attempt at the test, with those possessing the highest grades at A-level attaining the highest marks. The second, a diagnostic test of basic numeracy skills revealed that bio-science students entering Stage 1 in 1999 and 2000 did not differ significantly in their ability to answer correctly the 15 questions posed, and no significant difference between males and females was apparent. However, inboth years, a high proportion of students (42 – 63%) encountered difficulties with those questions that requiredan understanding of fractions, indices, logarithms, or units of measurement. Only 6.3% of students answeredall 15 questions correctly. Once again, there was a significant positive correlation between students' scores inthe diagnostic numeracy test and their GCSE or A-level grades in Mathematics. Reasons for the perceived decline in numeracy skills and the educational implications are discussed.