Difficulties in learning biochemistry: Case of 1st year medical students, Tangier

Abstract

Biochemistry takes an important place in the curriculum of life science students, as well as medical students, because it forms an essential basis for understanding the mechanisms of life at the molecular level. However, most university students still have more difficulties in learning this subject. The objective of our study is to identify perceptions of students about the difficulties encountered during the learning of biochemistry. In order to realize this investigation, we led an exploratory study with a group of students of the first year of medicine at the FMPT about this topic. We used the nominal group technique (TGN) and the questionnaire. Actually, the results of the present study prove that students encounter difficulties to understand some chapters (structural biochemistry, biological interest of biomolecules and enzymology) because their complexity especially with the overload of the program and the insufficiency of the time allocated to teaching this subject. In addition, they have difficulty in assimilation and memorization, which may be related to the teaching method used and the lack of tutorial sessions, preventing any active involvement of the student in the learning process. In conclusion, this study helped us to discover the problems that affect the quality of biochemistry learning for the students interviewed. On their part, they suggested some alternative solutions that reside in the adoption of new teaching methods promoting active learning as well as the integration of new communication and information technologies (ICT).