Survey of Instrumentation Use in Industry: What Does Industry Want New Chemists to Know?

Abstract

Instrumentation plays a vital role in almost every area of chemistry. As such, it is imperative that the undergraduate curriculum is designed to allow students to have opportunities to use a variety of instruments to best prepare them for careers in chemistry. Previous work has provided evidence of the types of instruments students use in undergraduate chemistry laboratories. However, little is known about employers’ expectations for specific instrument knowledge as chemistry students enter industry. With most chemistry undergraduate students entering careers in chemical industry upon graduation, the aim of this research was to determine the frequency of occurrence and value of specific instruments used in industry to help better align undergraduate chemistry laboratory curricula with the needs of industry. Additional data was also collected on the most important skills needed to succeed in industry, as well as the perceptions of the undergraduate courses where these skills are most effectively acquired. Results emphasize the need to improve how undergraduate students are taught instrumentation-specific skills and provide evidence on the best avenues in which to begin curricular improvement.