Abstract
Abstract The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at University of Tripoli, Libya provides a common first two semesters for 3 different undergraduate courses. Under the previous structure, students in different courses completed a variety of different subjects, including first semester anatomy. Current prerequisite entry requirements include secondary school examination percentage of 50 % or more, internal post-entrance literacy assessment to determine the writing and reading abilities of students, and physical fitness assessment. Concerns about the ability of such students who are varying in previous education to complete a common first semester anatomy subject, led to the current research to investigate the relationship between the secondary school work out and the performance in anatomy subject as well as, to unmask the determinants of success in the first semester anatomy subject. In this study, the demographic factors, secondary school certificate grade and previous education of 44 sport sciences students at University of Tripoli, were analyzed along with first semester anatomy percentage score. A generalized linear model demonstrated statistically significant relationship between a student’s grade in secondary school and her or his success score in anatomy (p < 0.01). Chosen course was a better predictor of academic performance in the first semester anatomy. No significant performance correlation was observed with student `s gender, age of entry, secondary school specialty, previous study of biology, and employment. Several approaches have been postulated to improve students transition, retention and moreover, graduation. This study facilitates estimation of academic success of students prior to their commencement at faculty. Keywords: Anatomy, Prediction, Academic performance, secondary school, Libya