Science Degree Research Articles

A comparative study on the use of spatiotemporal maps for teaching data visualization in a hybrid learning context

ABSTRACT Data visualization is a complex matter and so is teaching it in the context of engineering and data science. Even more challenging is teaching in a midst of once in a century pandemic. In this paper, we show the results of a workshop conducted with second-year students on a university degree in data science, which took place in the context of pandemic restrictions in a hybrid learning environment. About half of the students were in the classroom and the other half at home. They learned to use STMaps, a tool developed in the scope of the SILKNOW project. We transferred research outcomes to the classroom; similarly, the results of evaluating the tool were transferred to the project. But more importantly, we found insights that the learning process of students that were online was not the same quality as of those that were physically in the classroom. While both groups performed well in terms of correctly fulfilling the tasks proposed during the workshop, the students at home were less motivated and perceived the tasks more cumbersome to achieve. From a research perspective, this activity was perceived as very useful, and similar activities are being planned for each academic year.

Anxiety among Ukrainian academic staff during wartime

The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly impacted the mental health of academic staff, with anxiety emerging as a predominant issue. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among Ukrainian academic staff and determine the influence of sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, migration status, scientific degree, and job title, on anxiety levels. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional online survey between December 2023 and February 2024. The sample included 429 participants from various Ukrainian universities, representing both male and female academic staff, holding job positions such as assistants, senior lecturers, associate professors, and full professors. The findings revealed that 44.3% of participants experienced moderately severe to severe anxiety, with migration due to the full-scale war being a significant predictor of higher anxiety levels. Notably, male academic staff exhibited higher anxiety levels than their female counterparts, contrary to typical peacetime trends, suggesting that wartime responsibilities and societal expectations may play a crucial role. The data underscore the need for targeted mental health support, particularly for displaced academic staff, and highlight the importance of developing gender-specific interventions. These insights are vital for informing policies and support programs to enhance academic staff’s mental health and productivity in conflict zones, ensuring the continuity and quality of scientific research during and after the war.

Коммуникативные аспекты педагогического взаимодействия научных руководителей с аспирантами и адъюнктами

Introduction. Communicative strategies of pedagogical interaction of scientific supervisors with graduate students and adjuncts are important for the successful training of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel. The identification of the most difficult points of scientific leadership will contribute to improving the quality of training for applicants for scientific degrees. The purpose of the study is to identify the opinions of scientific supervisors on the organization of pedagogical interaction in the conditions of postgraduate and adjunct studies. Methods and materials. A study was conducted to identify the opinion of scientific supervisors on the organization of pedagogical interaction with students. In the survey took part 52 doctors and candidates of (military, technical, pedagogical, medical, economic, legal, chemical, biological, etc.) sciences of four universities in Ryazan, who train highly qualified personnel in postgraduate and adjunct programs. The results of the study. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the identification and analysis of the opinions and assessments of scientific supervisors characterizing the communicative strategies of pedagogical interaction. The theoretical significance lies in enriching the methodology and technology of vocational education in terms of improving the work of scientific supervisors in graduate and adjunct studies. The practical significance lies in the possibility of using the research results to improve the quality of training of scientific supervisors at a modern university. The prospects for further research lie in the scientific justification of ways to improve the effectiveness of scientific leadership in civil and military universities.

Unveiling pharmacogenomics: insights from Portuguese pharmacists on quaternary prevention

Abstract Background Public health genomics recognises the potential of genomic knowledge for enhancing population health. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) and lack of efficacy have significant clinical and economic burdens, which can be mitigated by pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing. Pharmacists can play a vital role in facilitating the implementation of PGx into routine clinical care. This will promote quaternary prevention, to protect individuals from medical intervention that can cause more harm than good. Objectives To assess attitudes, opinions, expectations, practices, and concerns of Portuguese pharmacists regarding PGx implementation. Methods An observational cross-sectional web-based survey was developed based on literature review, adapted to the national context, and validated in a focus group. The target population were adults residing in Portugal with a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent, with convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results From 303 participants, 98% believe that PGx is an important area of pharmaceutical sciences and 97% indicate that PGx should be included in continuing education. Almost all (99%) anticipate that PGx implementation will prevent the administration of ineffective drugs and inappropriate doses, 98% expect PGx will reduce ADR. Major concerns are related with direct-to-consumer sale of PGx tests via internet (78%) and unauthorized access to test results (91%). Currently, 25% are familiar with reliable sources of information on PGx, but only 11% feel qualified to recommend PGx testing, and 10% have analysed PGx reports. Conclusions There are positive opinions and expectations regarding the potential benefits of PGx tests. However, there are regulatory concerns and lack of readiness for immediate application. Pharmacists express interest in learning more about PGx, highlighting the need for continuous education and training to integrate it effectively into routine pharmaceutical practice. Key messages • Pharmacists recognize the benefits of PGx implementation for quaternary prevention. • Regulatory concerns and readiness gaps in PGx emphasise a need for training and life-long education of pharmacists.

Legal regulation of education in Ukraine. Part 6: Features of admission to higher education in Ukraine

This article examines the legal issues of regulating the access of citizens of Ukraine to higher education of the third educational and scientific degree (doctor of philosophy) in the paradigm of international acts, the Constitution of Ukraine, the Laws of Ukraine, and Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in the field of education. This is related to the existence of certain legal conflicts in the education sector, which arose as a result of the ambiguity and imperfection of the legislation of Ukraine on education, which the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine uses to illegally restrict the access of citizens of Ukraine to higher education of the third educational and scientific degree. Taking into account the requirements of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the article presents the results of a study of the peculiarities of the application of the provisions of the relevant legislative acts in the field of education (with all changes and additions introduced as of September 1, 2024), namely the Law of Ukraine “On Education” (dated September 5, 2017, under No. 2145-VIII), the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” (dated July 1, 2014, under No. 1556- VII) and the “Procedure for Training Candidates for Higher Education Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Sciences in institutions of higher education (scientific institutions)”, approved by Resolution No. 261 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (dated March 23, 2016). At the same time, the research is mainly focused on the peculiarities of applying the above­mentioned legislative acts to determine the differences in the conditions of access to free and paid education and the established legitimacy and feasibility of certain elements of such conditions. Principally this concerns the introduction by the State of Ukraine of unified professional exams and other tests (with the use of external independent evaluation) as a condition for access to the next stage of tests, namely, entrance exams and other tests for admission to study introduced by higher education institutions of Ukraine. That is, the legality of establishing a two-level system of competitions and entrance tests for those who wish to obtain a higher education of the third educational and scientific degree (doctor of philosophy) on a paid basis (i.e., at their own expense or the expense of non-state grants and scholarships) is being considered. The article is the sixth one within the cycle of studies in which the peculiarities of access of Ukrainian citizens to higher education in martial law conditions are addressed.

Post-16 students’ experience of practical science during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on students’ self-efficacy in practical work

This paper presents the findings from a detailed study investigating UK undergraduate students’ experience of practical science in their post-16 studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also examines their perceived confidence and preparedness in relation to areas of practical science skills at the start of their undergraduate courses. The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Findings from student focus groups held at the end of their post-16 studies were used to support the development of a comprehensive skills audit and quantitative survey for incoming undergraduate students. Survey data were collected in September and October 2021 from 275 students commencing Biosciences, Chemistry, Physics and Natural Science degrees at two universities in England. The research is important because although almost all students had the opportunity to undertake practical work as part of their post-16 studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable variation in students’ experiences. The data indicate that COVID-19-related closures of post-16 education establishments, ongoing social distancing requirements and the consequent removal of the assessment criteria for students to have ‘routinely and consistently’ undertaken each of the practical assessment requirements had implications for the development of students’ self-efficacy in relation to practical science. The research presents important considerations which are relevant for educators supporting students’ transition from post-16 to Higher Education and have the potential to impact on incoming students over many years to come.

Study on the index system for field epidemiological investigations of viral respiratory infectious diseases

The study used the Delphi method to conduct two rounds of expert consultations involving 23 experts nationwide, aiming to establish the comprehensive index system for field epidemiological investigations of viral respiratory infectious diseases and determine the weights assigned to each index through the hierarchical analysis. Both rounds of consultation witnessed a 100% participation rate among all experts, with a coefficient of authority (Cr) reaching 0.89. The Kendall's W coefficients for assessing the importance and feasibility in both rounds were 0.108, 0.234, 0.439 and 0.427, respectively. Finally, an index system consisting of seven first-level indicators, 18 second-level indicators, and 36 third-level indicators was constructed for the technical guidelines governing field epidemiological investigations into viral respiratory infectious diseases, and the weight of each indicator was established. The index system constructed in this study has a high degree of scientificity, reliability and operability, but it still needs to be further adjusted and improved in combination with the epidemiological characteristics of viral respiratory infectious diseases.

The Influence of Family Dynamics and Environment on Academic Performance and Understanding of Trigonometry

This article is the result of a research that was carried out to obtain the degree of Master's Degree in Education in the postgraduate program of the Faculty of Education of the Popular University of Cesar and monographic work of the degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and Mathematics and Physics of the same university. The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the family environment on the learning and academic performance of students in tenth grade trigonometry from a public educational institution in the city of Valledupar. Applying a mixed method, the research employed a simultaneous integrated design, where quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed at the same time. This approach allowed for a complete and nuanced understanding of the research questions, providing a holistic view by exploring family dynamics and environment and how these impact performance and understanding of trigonometry. As for the implications for educational practice, it is evident that there is a need to implement strategies that involve families in the teaching-learning process of trigonometry, since the data collected revealed a clear correlation between the level of parental participation in education and students' understanding of trigonometric concepts. In addition, the study found that a positive and supportive family environment contributed significantly to higher academic achievement in trigonometry.

A cut above the rest? The value of post-mortem examinations in undergraduate forensic science education

Very few people have the opportunity to witness a post-mortem first-hand in a mortuary environment. These spaces are typically reserved for those in the medical profession, including doctors in training. However, students enrolled on other programmes may go on to future careers that involve interacting with deceased individuals. Forensic Science graduates, for example, may enter professional roles that require the recovery, sampling, analysis and/or identification of the dead. In only a small number of cases will forensic students have had the opportunity to attend a post-mortem in person. In this article, we explore the value of incorporating post-mortem visits on undergraduate forensic science degrees from an academic (KS) and a student (FS) perspective. As part of this research, we obtained supplementary feedback from students who had also attended a post-mortem as part of their undergraduate degree at the University of Staffordshire. This research shows that while there can be logistical challenges when arranging post-mortem visits, students find the experience to be incredibly valuable, allowing them to improve their own personal and professional practice, and learn about up-to-date methods and processes used by practitioners. It could be argued that these visits are invaluable as they facilitate observational learning, especially the practical application of theoretical knowledge and understanding of post-mortems and the identification process, which in turn improves the employability of students.

Enhancing Math education for visually impaired students: alternative text implementation in LATEX, MathJax, MathML and LAMBDA

Abstract This article outlines an innovative procedure to improve the accessibility of Mathematics for secondary school students with visual impairments. Using LATEX, a widely used typesetting system, a transformative approach is developed that converts traditional mathematical content into three accessible formats: PDF, MathJax and LAMBDA. Central to this system is the integration of alternative text, which offers full descriptions of images and mathematical formulae and promotes a richer understanding of its content. The broader implications of this project include the introduction of novel teaching models for educators, enhanced accessibility of Mathematics programmes, and the potential to encourage the enrolment of visually impaired students in science degree courses. Ultimately, this work contributes to the creation of the conditions for the development of an inclusive and barrier-free learning environment in Mathematics education.

PECULIARITIES OF THE FUNCTIONING OF DOMESTIC ELITE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The article provides a theoretical and practical analysis of the problem of the formation and development of elite higher education in Ukraine. In the context of the specified problem, the authors singled out: trends in the activity of educational institutions in the conditions of a full-scale invasion of Russia; factors of increased interest of researchers in studying the problem of elites, elite thinking, elite educational institutions; growth trends of private educational institutions in Europe and Ukraine.An analysis of different approaches to the interpretation of the concepts of "elite", "private school", "alternative educational institutions", "elite education", "elite university", etc. is offered. The authors proposed a description of different types of private schools, in particular, elitist, denominational, compensatory, conjunctural, national and alternative models. The article presents the classification of private schools (preschool, primary, day, non-formal, with moderate and high tuition fees, with historically developed traditions and modernity, etc.), and highlights their characteristic features.A comparative analysis of research and elite universities was partially carried out, and the characteristic features of a research university were singled out and characterized (the multi-functionality of the institution, the presence of a system of training specialists with a scientific degree, a wide selection of specialities and specializations, the formation of an intellectual environment around the university, a competitive and selective approach to the selection of students; the presence of corporate ethics, etc.). The article focuses on the specific characteristics of elite universities (autonomy, compactness, own traditions, small numbers, etc.), highlights the most significant factors of the emergence and development of elite higher education institutions in Ukraine (growing demand of the population for appropriate education, creation of an appropriate educational environment, expanded network of social provision of the most gifted students, etc.).

Prospective healthcare students' perspectives and attitudes on pharmacy as a chosen career path

BackgroundWith the national increase in the number of colleges and schools of pharmacy as well as the decreased pharmacy school applicant pool in recent years, pharmacy school enrollment challenges are at the forefront of issues facing pharmacy programs today. Factors that can influence a candidate's likelihood to pursue pharmacy school are important to evaluate. Recent studies assessing factors that motivate potential pre-health candidates to pursue pharmacy school or other healthcare careers are limited. ObjectiveTo describe prospective candidates' perspectives and attitudes toward pharmacy as a career pathway and assess factors that motivate or deter them from pursuing pharmacy as a career and from considering a specific pharmacy school. MethodThe study was cross-sectional and used an online data collection form distributed via the Qualtrics platform from October 4, 2022 through October 12, 2022 using the social media platform Reddit. Reddit has hundreds of subcommunities known as subreddits, that allow for exchange of ideas and discussion regarding various topics. This social media platform is commonly used by pre-health students to discuss career options. The survey consisted of 28 items and two domains, demographics and prospective healthcare students' understanding of responsibilities of pharmacists and their overall perspective on pharmacy as a profession. The survey was targeted toward anyone with an intention of pursuing a health science degree or career. ResultFour hundred participants completed the survey. Participants were mainly Caucasian, male, and with a mean age of 25 years. This study assessed prospective candidates' perspectives and attitudes toward pharmacy as a career pathway, appealing and unappealing characteristics about pursuing a career in the field of pharmacy, and factors that motivate or deter candidates from pursuing pharmacy. While 68 % of the participants had heard that career choices are vast and vary in the field of pharmacy, most still had concerns about the pharmacy field being heavily saturated and lack of job opportunities after graduation. Almost 60 % of responders gained information about pharmacy programs through social media platforms. The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination pass rate, postgraduate residencies/fellowships, program duration and program reputation were among the top factors in choosing a pharmacy program. ConclusionMany survey participants had heard that there are a variety of job opportunities in the field of pharmacy, but the majority had heard that the pharmacy field is heavily saturated and that there are lack of opportunities after graduation. Most responders gained information through social media platforms. For prospective pharmacy school candidates, NAPLEX pass rate, number of graduates matched with PGY1 residencies and fellowships, and duration and reputation of the program seems to be among the most important factors in choosing a pharmacy program. Factors that prospective candidates consider when selecting a pharmacy program and the means they use to research about programs can be important considerations for pharmacy programs recruitment. Awareness of the preferences and baseline knowledge of candidates about the field of pharmacy can aid in developing targeted recruitment strategies and informing decision-making in pharmacy programs and recruitment efforts.

Creating group work-integrated learning experiences for non-clinical health degrees: A practitioner reflection

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences, integral for equipping students with the skills and knowledge crucial for employment and success in their chosen careers, have traditionally been associated with accreditation requirements in professional programs. More recently, acknowledging the importance of WIL experiences in non-professional programs has grown. In this reflective paper, the experiences of the practitioner tasked with developing a new WIL capstone course for students in Health and Biomedical Science degrees are described. Grounded in social exchange theory, where interactions are viewed as exchanges aimed at maximising rewards while minimising costs, the intent was for student groups to engage with a range of authentic project experiences offered by industry, community, and academic staff (the WIL partners). Critical elements were the active involvement of a diverse array of partners and the importance of relationship building for the long-term sustainability of the project experiences. I discuss and reflect on the specific strategies employed to engage the WIL partners, inspiring them to collaborate and develop meaningful projects suitable for students pursuing various career paths. Additionally, I reflect on the invaluable experiences and feedback provided by our partners.

Using image-reflections to support undergraduate students’ relational employability: A practitioner reflection

This practitioner reflection explores our integration of the Relational Employability Framework within the Health Research Project capstone unit of a Bachelor of Health Science degree. To address the historically low quality of student reflections, we incorporated image-based reflective activities to improve engagement and depth. These activities encouraged students to use visual media to examine their developing relational employability. We developed and implemented a series of tutorial activities designed to scaffold this process, aiming to foster deeper reflective practice and highlight its importance for career development and employability. Our reflections indicate that, while grades did not significantly increase, students showed enhanced critical thinking and engagement with reflective practice, suggesting the framework’s effectiveness in broadening awareness and enriching employability overall. We discuss the need for peer support among educators to sustain and enhance reflective practices in teaching-learning and conclude with thoughts on our ongoing efforts to embed and expand reflective practices in teaching approaches

Checking Out Our Workspaces: An Analysis of Negative Work Environment and Burnout Utilizing the Negative Acts Questionnaire and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory for Academic Librarians

Objective – This study explored the prevalence of and relationship between bullying and burnout among academic librarians. The authors sought to examine three main factors contributing to negative workplace environment caused by bullying and incivility: (1) the employment characteristics of respondents (i.e., tenured, non-tenure track, and others), (2) librarianship as a second (or third) career, and (3) generational differences. Methods – The researchers administered a survey via professional electronic mailing lists in early spring 2023. Librarians over the age of 18 who hold a Masters of Library Science (MLS) or equivalent degree and were employed in an academic library at the time of taking the survey were eligible to participate. The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) was used to measure workplace bullying, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) was used to measure workplace burnout. Survey results were analyzed using RStudio. Results – The responses (n = 267) showed the average bullying score was relatively low (M = 1.57, SD = 0.52), and the average burnout score was middling (M = 45.68, SD = 17.87). The correlation between the two scores was mild (r = 0.5, < 0.001). ANOVAs found no significant difference between NAQ-R scores due to employment type (tenured, non-tenure track, and others; F(6, 260) = 0.711, p = 0.641), duration of employment (F(5, 261) = 0.482, p = 0.79), career number (F(4, 262) = 0.585, p = 0.674), or generational identity (F(5, 261) = 0.0969, p = 0.627). ANOVAs found no significant difference between CBI scores due to employment type (F(6, 260) = 1.566, p = 0.157), duration of employment (F(5, 261) = 1.911, p = 0.0929), career number (F(4, 262) = 1.398, p = 0.235), or generational identity (F(5, 261) = 1.511, p = 0.187). Conclusion – Low to moderate levels of both bullying and burnout were found among academic librarians, but the correlation between the two phenomena was mild. No significant difference was found between employment characteristics, career progression (second or third career), or generational identity and the degree of bullying or burnout experienced. This lack of difference was contrary to researcher predictions and opens the door for further research and understanding of both bullying and burnout among academic librarians.

Digital Competencies and Training Approaches to Enhance the Capacity of Practitioners to Support the Digital Transformation of Public Health: Rapid Review of Current Recommendations.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in the public health workforce's capacity to deploy digital technologies while upholding ethical, social justice, and health equity principles. Existing public health competency frameworks have not been updated to reflect the prominent role digital technologies play in contemporary public health, and public health training institutions are seeking to integrate digital technologies in their curricula. As a first step in a multiphase study exploring recommendations for updates to public health competency frameworks within the Canadian public health context, we conducted a rapid review of literature aiming to identify recommendations for digital competencies, training approaches, and inter- or transdisciplinary partnerships that can enhance public health practitioners' capacity to support the digital transformation of public health. Following the World Health Organization's (2017) guidelines for rapid reviews, a systematic search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles. We also searched Google Scholar and various public health agency and public health association websites for gray literature using search terms related to public health, digital health, practice competencies, and training approaches. We included articles with explicit practice competencies and training recommendations related to digital technologies among public health practitioners published between January 2010 and December 2022. We excluded articles describing these concepts in passing or from a solely clinical perspective. Our search returned 2023 titles and abstracts, of which only 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. We found recommendations for new competencies to enable public health practitioners to appropriately use digital technologies that cut across all existing categories of the core competencies for public health framework of the Public Health Agency of Canada. We also identified a new competency category related to data, data systems management, and governance. Training approaches identified include adapted degree-awarding programs like combined public health and informatics or data science degree programs and ongoing professional certifications with integration of practice-based learning in multi- and interdisciplinary training. Disciplines suggested as important to facilitate practice competency and training recommendations included public health, public health informatics, data, information and computer sciences, biostatistics, health communication, and business. Despite the growth of digital technologies in public health, recommendations about practice competencies and training approaches necessary to effectively support the digital transformation of public health remain limited in the literature. Where available, evidence suggests the workforce requires new competencies that cut across and extend existing public health competencies, including new competencies related to the use and protection of new digital data sources, alongside facilitating health communication and promotion functions using digital media. Recommendations also emphasize the need for training approaches that focus on interdisciplinarity through adapted degree-awarding public health training programs and ongoing professional development.

Psychopedagogical training of the teacher, a necessity in the current educational field

The psychopedagogical training of teachers is essential to improve educational quality, since it allows them to understand the learning and development processes of their students, adapting pedagogical strategies to individual needs. The purpose of this article is to examine the needs of psycho-pedagogical training of teachers who study in the bachelor’s degree in educational sciences at the Metropolitan University. An exploratory study is carried out to determine the psycho-pedagogical domains that contribute to more effective teaching performance and identify the areas of knowledge fundamental to their academic preparation. Although most teachers recognize the relevance of psychopedagogical training, many have only received short courses and workshops, which could limit their ability to implement profound changes in their educational practices. On the other hand, they value and apply psycho-pedagogical principles in their teaching, however, there is a tendency to focus more on solving existing problems, instead of adopting a preventive approach. The above indicates that comprehensive psychopedagogical training is essential so that teachers can respond to current educational demands, contributing to the academic success and personal development of their students.

Beyond gender: the intersectional impact of community demographics on the continuation rates of male and female students into high school physics

This study examines the complex interplay of gender and other demographics on continuation rates in high school physics. Using a diverse dataset that combines demographics from the Canadian Census and eleven years of gendered enrolment data from the Ontario Ministry of Education, we track student cohorts as they transition from mandatory science to elective physics courses. We then employ hierarchical linear modelling to quantify the interaction effects between gender and other demographics, providing a detailed perspective on the on continuation in physics. Our results indicate the racial demographics of a school’s neighbourhood have a limited impact on continuation once controlling for other factors such as socioeconomic status, though neighbourhoods with a higher Black population were a notable exception, consistently exhibiting significantly lower continuation rates for both male and female students. A potential role model effect related to parental education was also found as the proportion of parents with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees correlates positively with increased continuation rates, whereas an increase in non-STEM degrees corresponds with a reduced student continuation rate. The most pronounced effects are school-level factors. Continuation rates in physics are very strongly correlated with continuation in chemistry or calculus — effects that much stronger for male than female students. Conversely, continuation in biology positively correlates with the continuation of female students in physics, with little to no effect found for male students. Nevertheless, the effect sizes observed for chemistry and calculus markedly outweigh that for biology. This is further evidence that considering STEM as a homogeneous subject when examining gender disparities is misguided. These insights can guide future education policies and initiatives to increase continuation rates and foster greater gender equity and inclusivity in physics education.

Bachelor's degree in science and its admission to higher education in Ecuador

This research is carried out to evaluate the preparation of the bachelor's degree in science in relation to its admission to higher education in Ecuador. The research has a mixed approach, the methodology includes descriptive analysis and correlations using SPSS software. The result was a low-moderate positive Pearson correlation of 0.272 between the two variables with a confidence level (bilateral significance) of 0.003. 64% of respondents indicated they had successfully entered higher education while 36% indicated they had not; Furthermore, the discrepancy between the perceptions of students and teachers are the most important findings, this suggests the curricular review of the baccalaureate in science to guarantee its alignment with the demands of higher education in Ecuador.

Bridging the gap between the first year of the Health Sciences bachelor's degree and the second year at Ifsi

Université Paris-Est Créteil offers a gateway to the second year of anursing training institute after the first year of a Health Sciences degree. Eight students entered the second year of nursing training institute via this gateway. At the end of session1, seven of them were able to move on to the third year of nursing training institute. The results are encouraging, both in terms of theoretical knowledge acquisition and qualitative feedback from students.