So You Want A Job! George Schwartrman New College, University of South Florida, Sarasota, FL 34243 The author has interviewed approximately 300 candidates for the wsitions of analflicul chemist in the past 36 years. 1\11candidates being interviewed had approx~mately the same chemical traininr! based on their trmicripts: one year general chemistry, one semester quantitative analysis, and one year organic chemistry. A majority also had a year of physical chemistry. Many of the individuals had a semester of qualitative analysis or a year of biochemistry and a semester of inorganic chemistry, in addition to the above courses. In all cases, the interviewees had sufficient laboratory training. I n order to determine whether these individuals really had some basic knowledge of chemistry useful in an analytical laboratory, the following quiz was designed. Only two or three of the questions listed were asked a t random of the job applicants. If the candidate did not know the answers, we went on to the next question. Approximately 20% of the candidates could answer any of the above questions. 25% of those interviewed failed to answer any of the questions. The remainder of the group (55%),with a lot of urging and prodding, gave answers that were barely acceptable. This "test" in its entiretv was also eiven to both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in chemistry, including those pursuing the PhD. In many cases they were
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This paper was presented at the Florida American Chemical Society meeting inTampa, FLon May 17,1991.
940
Journal of Chemical Education
onlv able to answer 10-15 auestions. And then onlv with a deal of cajoling, The boor response to these simple s the need for a more m a m a t i c "Chemauestions ~ o i n t out
20 Questions 1. What is the difference between chlorine and chloride? 2. Describe a qualitative test for a chloride ion. 3. Describe a simple test for Na+: 4. What is a pycnometer used for? 5. Describe a simple test for an organic halide. 6. Describe a test for starch. 7. Describe a test for glucose. 8. Describe a test for protein. 9. Describe a test for fats. 10. Describe five ways to prepare oxygen. 11. Describe as many tests as possible for sucrose. 12. Describe a test to distinguish between Tygon and polyethylene tubing. 13. What is the difference between a cation and an anion? 14. What are the basic eas laws? 15. Whar is meant by ablank test? 16. \\%at are the diffrrrncei ammg an amino acid, a peptide. and a protein? 17. What are the differences among a W spectrum, a risible spectrum, and an IR spectrum? 18. Name several instruments used to determine structure of oreanic com~ounds. 19. ~ a & the e foliowing compound: 20. What is litmus paper used far in the laboratory?
