POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION IN ANALYTICAL-CHEMISTRY - AN AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE

Post-graduate education in analytical chsmistry in Australian universi ties does not have a high profile at the national level, yet there is a significant demand from employers for graduates with qualifications in analytical chemistry. To meet this demand, some specialist courses such as Graduate Diplomas and course work Master's degrees have been e stablished. These courses however have a research component which is l ess than 50% of the total program. On the other:land. the traditional Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are research only d egrees and follow on from a fourth year (Honours year) of university s tudy which may or may not have a course work component in analytical c hemistry. The absence of course work past Year 4 produces graduates wi th a high degree of specialisation but with a limited view of the rela tionship between analytical chemistry and the social and R&D needs whi ch drive research in analytical chemistry. It is argued that there sho uld be a course work component in Years 5, 6 and 7 and that this cours e work component should address both discipline and general skills iss ues.