Surveying the content and pedagogy of analytical chemistry in 2021

A survey of over 300 instructors of undergraduate analytical chemistry was conducted in 2021 with the aim of learning what topics are currently prioritized in analytical and instrumental chemistry lectures and labs. The survey covered instructor demographics, choice of content, focus on preparation for industry or graduate programs, teaching pedagogy, efforts in diversity and inclusion, and challenges that instructors are facing. Respondents contributed from primarily undergraduate institutions and from institutions offering graduate level degrees. The majority of institutions reported that they regularly offer two analytical chemistry courses at a junior or higher level. Topics ranked most important by respondents included Standardization/Calibration Methods, UV-Vis Absorbance Spectroscopy, and Data Handling, whereas topics with the least consensus on importance included various aspects of Electrochemistry, Gravimetric Analysis, Activity, and NMR Spectroscopy, among others. Access to instrumentation was quoted most often as a challenge in analytical chemistry education. Further analysis on instructor demographic trends, institution type, and enrollment was performed to provide insight as to how the analytical classroom has evolved over the last few decades and where it may be heading in the future. The survey was conducted by the Education sub-committee of the Division of Analytical Chemistry and results of the survey will be shared with the chemistry education community.