Increased student completion in chemical engineering programmes
The project examines the reasons for low student completion rates on chemical engineering programmes by looking at data and interviewing students about their experiences and challenges, and proposes actions to improve them.
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)
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Collected statistics on the throughput (examination/graduation ratios) of programmes and courses and when during the education they drop out
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Conducted student interviews and surveys to obtain information on how the students themselves and we teachers can contribute to increased throughput.
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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.
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Introduced student-led math labs in courses during the first semester that constitute basic knowledge for future course(s)
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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)
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Implemented recruitment efforts, e.g. search engine optimization, improved websites.
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Introduced elements of study techniques early in grade 1
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Analysis and follow-up of results (effects on throughput and dropout compared to previous years)
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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.
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Project initiation document: Projektdirektiv_FrU25_2306-CBH_Genomströmning_2025-06-04.pdf (Swedish)