ANALYTICAL EDITORIAL
September 1967,Vol. 30, No. 11 Editor:
H E R B E R T A. LAITINEN
EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS Washington, D. C. 20036 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Phone: 202-737-3337Teletype WA 23 Associate Editor: John K. Crum Assistant Editors: Josephine Pechan, Virginia E.Stewart Editorial Assistants: Ellen J. Caldwell, Lois E. Schmitt
Innovations in Teaching Analytical Chemistry
Contributing Editor: R. H. Muller Director of Design: Joseph Jacobs Production Staff-Washington: Production Manager: Bacil Guiley Art and Layout:
Herbert Kuttner
Production Staff-Easton, Pa.: Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assistant Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufe
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Director of Publications, Richard L. Kenyon Director of Business Operations, Kuney Publication Manager, Journals, Gushee Executive Assistant to the Director tions, Rodney N. Hader Circulation Development Manager, Spencer
Joseph
H.
David E. of Publica-
Herbert C.
Assistant to the Director of Publicationr, William Q. Hull
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A t t e n t i o n of our readers is called t o a group of papers in the June 1967 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education, resulting from a symposium on the teaching of analytical chemistry a t the September 1966 ACS meeting in New York. Among the notable trends are iiicreasing emphasis on accurate quantitative work in general chemistry laboratory, more advanced but less packaged instrumentation, inclusion of biochemical and organic systems, study of chemical kinetics for analytical purposes, and coordination with other areas of chemistry in the presentation of principles. Perhaps the most significant innovation in terms of its potential impact is the introduction of a sophomore level “biorganalytical” chemistry course a t UCLA serving to introduce modern laboratory techniques and analytical methods of organic and biochemistry as a unified combination. Such an approach has the obvious virtue of dealing with subjects of great current interest and importance. I n rccent years, laboratory courses in organic and biochemistry have introduced several of the techniques commonly included in instrumental analysis. An analytical course eniphasizing such techniques has the merit of avoiding excessive duplication. On the other hand, it creates problem? with regard to prescntation of an adequate level of undcrlying theory and principles, to assure that the course does not become merely training in techniques. I t is time for an evaluation in depth of the most efficient and orderly presentation of analytical principles, theory, and niethodology throughout the undergraduate curriculum. We analytical chemists should participate fully in such developments in order that our influence can properly be brought to bear, for assuredly, if we do not, others will proceed without our counsel and with results that will not necessarily be to our liking. Serious consideration should be given to mechanisms for cooperative programs for the development of new approaches t o laboratory instruction, in the interests of avoiding unnecessary multiplication of effort and increasing the rate of progress towards th(1 most effective methods of teaching modern analytical chemistry.
Advertising Management REINHOLD PUBLISHING C‘ORP. (for Branch Offices,aee page 176 A)
For submission of manuscripts, see page 2 A . VOL. 39, NO. 1 1 , SEPTEMBER 1967
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