High School Students' Interest in Choosing Physics as a Major in College

Abstract

The declining number of students choosing physics as a major in college has now become a challenge for many Indonesian universities. Students’ interest is an important factor influencing their choice. This research explores and describes students’ interest in choosing physics as a major in college by employing the descriptive method. The study population was all Class-XII students of high schools in Gowa Regency, of which a sample of 90 students from six high schools – three public and three private schools – was selected. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively. The results of the analysis showed that a majority of the students (58%) had a “low” level of interest in physics and only a few (3%) were highly interested. This shows that most high school students in Gowa Regency are less interested in choosing physics as their major in college. The current research expects to serve as a basis for further research in increasing students’ interest in physics education in college. Keywords: students’ interest, physics education department, higher education