Analytical Chemistry,Past, Present and Future*This paper is dedicated to the Editorial Board of Analytical Letters.

ABSTRACT

Analytical Chemistry as a science has its own history as well as an important present and a sure future.

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the role of Analytical Chemistry as a science and of Chemical Analysis as an art in the development of human society.

The correlation between method and instrument hyphenated by the sample is discussed along a long period of active Analytical Chemistry.

The connection between theory of Analytical Chemistry and the practice of chemical analysis enables us to be sure of the future of Analytical Chemistry.

We must consider that to do science it is necessary to know the history of science as well as to make research to be used not only in the present, but also in the near future.

Surely, Analytical Chemistry as a real scientific area will be on the top of sciences in the next century.     

Teaching of Analytical Chemistry in Polish Universities

The importance of Analytical Chemistry in the modern world is continually increasing. There are a lot of reasons: the need for environmental monitoring, food quality control, human health, industrial production quality control, nanotechnologies, material science; these are only some of the areas where analysts are indispensable. Analytical Chemistry, or rather Chemical Analytics, should be treated on a par with the three fundamental chemical courses: Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. Analytical Chemistry, as an individual course or courses, is lectured in 52 Polish universities, including the Academy of Medicine and Academy of Life Sciences (agriculture and related). All these universities were already introduced in the Bolonia Process, The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points, and three steps of education: Bachelor's degree (at universities of technology–Engineer's degree), Master's degree, and Doctoral Studies. Analytical Chemistry exists on all levels of teaching. On the first level, Bachelor's degree, the program of Analytical Chemistry contains the basic knowledge, so called classical Analytical Chemistry: gravimetric analysis, electrogravimetry, acid-base titration, oxidation-reduction titration, precipitation titration, complexometric titration, quality assurance, and quality control of results (2–3 h of lecture, 5 h of laboratory, and 1 h of seminar). During the second level (Master's degree) the program contains more developed analytical techniques: gas and liquid chromatography, spectrophotometric methods, electrochemical methods, elemental analysis, etc. The lecture courses at universities depend on the specific specialization, and there are a variety of different courses according to the need of specialization programs. The Bachelor's (engineer's) projects (diploma theses) are very often prepared in the field of Analytical Chemistry. The same occurs with Doctoral Studies; very often, students choose subject matters connected with Analytical Chemistry. This is why each year we have about 100 doctoral candidates in the field of Analytical Chemistry. The laboratories of Polish universities are well equipped with specialized apparatuses, but are strongly dependent on the university's profile and the size of the university. Students can participate in the scientific research carried on by the didactic staff, especially when completing diploma theses or doctorates. Some of them are performing studies and theses abroad, in the frame of the LLP ERASMUS Program. From our department, each year, about 10–12 students complete their Analytical Chemistry theses abroad. It promotes the European dimension and improves the quality of education by encouraging innovation in education.     

Miguel Valcárcel, University of Córdoba

The Analyst profiles Miguel Valcárcel, Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the University of Córdoba and recipient of the Solvay Prize for Chemistry (1996) and the Robert Boyle Medal of the Analytical Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2004).     

Teaching of Analytical Chemistry at Universities in Poland

Summary Education in Analytical Chemistry in Poland is mainly carried out at Universities and Technical Universities according to a unified curriculum. Courses on Analytical Chemistry in the second year and on instrumental analysis in the third year are compulsory for all students of chemistry. There are courses and lectures on specialized subjects in the fourth and fifth year for those who intend to subunit their thesis in Analytical Chemistry.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

The activities of the education and training group of the Analytical Division of the Chemical Society

Summary The aim of the Education and Training Group of the Analytical Division of the Chemical Society is to improve education and training in Analytical Chemistry at all levels: in universities, in industry, and in all establishments where Analytical Chemistry is practised. Teaching methods, the interface between education and employment and other current problems are dealt with in the form of lectures and discussions. The Group also undertakes a continuing series of questionnaires to monitor the development in this field. A biennial prize is sponsored with the intention of stimulating the interest in Analytical Chemistry amongst young people in the U.K.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Training and opportunities for Analytical Chemists in Switzerland

Summary The development during the past 5 years (results of an enquiry running from 1973–1978) is shown for the following: A. Demand for Analytical Chemists in some important Swiss companies; B. Interest in training chemists specializing in Analytical Chemistry in Swiss universities; C. Teaching in Analytical Chemistry, in particular the University of Geneva.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978     

Statute on the Prizes of the Scientific Council on Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

In the Scientific Council on Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Statute on the Prizes of the Scientific Council on Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences     

A schematic overview of the historical evolution of Analytical Chemistry

The historical evolution of Analytical Chemistry is briefly discussed as related to the progress of Chemistry within the 16–19th centuries under the leadership of Paracelsus, Boyle, Lavoisier and Dalton. A clear distinction is made between chemical analysis (up to the end of the 19th c.) and today’s Analytical Chemistry, paying close attention to a number of aspects and consequences related to the chemical revolution which took place at the overlap of the 18–19th c. which resulted in the quantification of Chemistry, causing increasing development and improvement of the chemical metrology which was an essential factor for Chemistry to acquire a scientific dimension and to become more specialised during the 19th century. A panoramic view of the whole development is presented by resorting to the inclusion of a number of synoptical tables outlining the stepwise progress of Chemistry, chemical analysis and Analytical Chemistry within the five last centuries taking into consideration the main protagonists involved as well as the experimental means, techniques and methodologies used and/or developed. Received: 20 February 1996 / Accepted: 21 May 1996