Emerging Areas in Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Education: Microfluidics, Microcontrollers, and Chemometrics

Abstract

Analytical chemistry is a fast-paced field with frequent introduction of new techniques via research labs; however, incorporation of new techniques into academic curricula lags their adoption in research and industry. This review describes the recent educational literature on microfluidics, microcontrollers, and chemometrics in the undergraduate analytical chemistry curriculum. Each section highlights opportunities for nonexpert faculty to get started with these techniques and more advanced implementations suitable for experienced practitioners. While the addition of new topics to any curriculum brings some opportunity costs, student engagement with cutting edge techniques brings many benefits, including enhanced preparation for graduate school and professional careers and development of transferable skills, such as coding. Formal assessment of student outcomes is encouraged to promote broader adoption of these techniques.