Increased student completion in chemical engineering programmes

Mapped principles 

The project is mapped to the following framework principles:

P3. Active student-centred learning

P12. Broadened recruitment and participation 

Definitions of the principles

Contact

Magnus Johnson professor

magnusj@kth.se , +4687909911

Profile

This project is implemented at the School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH) within the Future Education programme (project no. 2506-CBH). 

Project context  

The graduation ratio in the Engineering Chemistry programme (CTKEM) and the Chemical Engineering programme (TIKED) is currently not as high as desired while the number of dropouts is too high. Many programmes at KTH have a comparable situation and the underlying reasons are probably similar for all programmes. Successful results for CTKEM and TIKED can therefore hopefully be applied to other programmes at KTH. 

Purpose (outcome) 

The overall aim is to increase throughput and reduce dropouts in the Master of Science in Engineering Chemistry (CTKEM) and the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (TIKED) programmes,  

Project results (output) 

• Collected statistics on the throughput (examination/graduation ratios) of programmes and courses and when during the education they drop out  

• Conducted student interviews and surveys to obtain information on how the students themselves and we teachers can contribute to increased throughput.  

• Introduced teacher-led/PA-led student meetings during the first semester at TIKED for discussion on e.g.: Study techniques, expectations from KTH, differences between high school and university, etc.  

• Introduced student-led math labs in courses during the first semester that constitute basic knowledge for future course(s)  

• Some restructuring of examination elements during the first semester for more continuous assessment and examination (especially in bottleneck courses – courses that constitute specific requirements for future courses)  

• Implemented recruitment efforts, e.g. search engine optimization, improved websites. 

• Introduced elements of study techniques early in grade 1  

• Analysis and follow-up of results (effects on throughput and dropout compared to previous years) 

• Packaged lessons learnt for dissemination. 

Time plan 

Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2027-05-31 

Project documentation

If you have a KTH ID, you can read the latest project documents when logged in.

• Poster: Poster_FrU25_2306-CBH_StudentCompletion_2025-05-20.pdf

• Project initiation document: Projektdirektiv_FrU25_2306-CBH_Genomströmning_250604.pdf (Swedish)