Real-world sample-based teaching in Analytical Chemistry: Afterthoughts on a hands-on experience

Abstract

In Analytical Chemistry, discussing different methods and techniques of analysis is essential to promote critical thinking and reasoning. Analytical courses in the chemist, pharmacist, and biochemist curricula represent the opportunity to study concepts such as experimental design, sampling, development and optimization of protocols, data analysis, and critical assessment of results. Here, we present a series of titration experiments to perform as final work at an undergraduate laboratory, analyzing “real-world” samples of different characteristics, nature, and usage. The samples were analyzed for seven semesters in the first course of Analytical Chemistry for students becoming Biochemists and Pharmacists. The analytical techniques applied are described, and the statistics of the results over the years are presented.