ANALVTlCAL EDITORIAL
February 1968,Vol. 40, No. 2 Editor: H E R B E R T A. LAITINEN EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS Washington D. C. 20036 1155 Sixteedth St. N.W. Phone: 202-737-i337Teletype WA 23 Associate Editor: John K. Crum Assistant Editors: Josephine Pechan, Virginia E. Stewart Editorial Assistants: Eugenie C . C d a g h a n , Ana Sol de GutiCrrez Contributing Editor:
R. H. Miiller
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Assistant Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufe Advisor Board: C. V. Banks, R. G. Bates, W. $ Blaedel, S. Bruckenstein, A. E. Cameron, Lyman Craig 5. Dal Nogare, Henry Freiser Marcei Golay, Joseph Jordan, D. W.’ Margerum R. A. Osteryoung, R. L. Pecsok, C. N.’ReiUey, D. H. Wilkins AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Director of Publications, Richard L. Kenyon Director of Business Operations, Joseph H. Kuney Publication Manager, Journals, David E. Gushee Executive Assistant to the Director of Publications, Rodney N. Hader Circulation Development Manager, Herbert C. Spencer Assistant to the Director of Publications, William Q.Hull REGIONAL EDITORIAL BUREAUS N E W YORK, N. Y. 10017 733 Third Ave. PHILADELPHIA Pa. 19107 Philadelphia National Bank Building Broad & Chestnut Streets PITI’SBURGH, Pa. 15219 530 William Penn Place CHICAGO, Ill. 60603 36 South Wabash Ave. CLEVELAND, Ohio 44114 1367 East Sixth St. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. 94104 57 Post St. LOS ANGELES, Calif. 90005 422 South Western Ave. HOUSTON, Texas 77002 514 Main Bldg. 1212 Main St.
The Industrial-Academic Interface the Eastern Analytical Chemistry Symposium A (Chem. Eng. News, Dec. 4, 1967, p. 49) and the Louisiana State UniT TWO RECENT MEETINGS,
versity Symposium (see ANAL. CHEM., Dec. 1967, p. 97A), discussion sessions have been directed to the gap between the needs of industry for increased numbers of analytical chemists and the trend toward decreasing the emphasis on analytical chemistry courses in undergraduate and graduate curricula. To some extent, the academic trend reflects an intermingling of the various traditional branches of chemistry, and serves as a recognition of the importance of quantitative analytical measurements in all areas of chemistry. At the same time, there is danger that the new curricula, lacking basic required courses clearly identified as analytical, may lead the student to the mistaken impression that analytical chemistry no longer represents a research frontier but merely the application of measurement techniques. In academic circles there is a growing impatience with the traditional quantitative analysis course as the vehicle for teaching laboratory skills, and a conviction that these skills can now be learned earlier and more quickly than in the past by taking advantage of the better secondary school preparation of students and better laboratory equipment. This may be accepted as a valid goal, but from the viewpoint of analytical chemistry the essential requirement of an undergraduate curriculum is that it should present the various aspects of modern analytical chemistry in sufficient depth t o demonstrate to all undergraduate majors the validity of this subject as a research discipline, and thereby to encourage a reasonable fraction to enter graduate work in analytical chemistry. Analytical chemistry, by its very nature, should be in an exceptionally favorable position to bridge the gap of understanding between industrial and academic chemistry. Being oriented to the solution of problems, it feels easily a t home in mission-oriented research. Yet, a t the research frontier, it is constantly searching for new principles to advance the science of chemical measurements. Among the mechanisms for increased industrial-academic interaction that deserve more emphasis are the sabbatical leave for industrial scientists for research and study in academic laboratories and the greater use of younger academic staff members for industrial consultation. Summer employment of students and staff members by industry, with special emphasis on assignment of students t o fundamental problems and use of these visiting staff members in a consultative capacity may accomplish long-range benefits in mutual understanding as well as immediate returns in research results. The academic community can rightly be criticized for its neglect of and, indeed, sometimes its scorn for the needs of industry. Industry on its part should recognize that the academic curriculum cannot and should not be oriented to the training of technicians, no matter how advanced their skills.
FRANKFURT/MAIN, Weat Germany 32 Grosse Bockenheimerstrasae LONDON, W. C. 2,England 27 John Adam St. TOKYO Japan Iikura Ckntral Building, 4th Floor 12 Iikura Kata-machi, Azabu Minato-ku: Tokyo WASHINGTON, D. C. 20036 1155 Sixteenth St., N. W. Advertising Management REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (for Branch Offices, see page 193 A)
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