Informing Laboratory Curriculum Enhancement through the Examination of the Laboratory Skill Expectations of Employers of Chemistry Bachelor's Students

Despite its reputation as a top program in Canada, UBC students receive a reduced number of wet-lab contact hours compared to peer institutions) With labs operating near capacity (example: first-year labs struggle to accommodate —2,000 students/year) and building expansion unlikely, efforts to optimize the program within existing limitations are underway. As part of this work and to inform these enhancements, we request finding to develop and administer a tool to determine the laboratory skill expectations of chemistry student employers and assess how UBC’s program “stacks up” to experiences provided by peer institutions. With this vital information, the Laboratory Committee can target specific optimizations and use laboratory program resources more efficiently so UBC students obtain the skills desired by employers and are preferred candidates in the workforce. This tool should be of use to other departments and can provide updates on the needs of employers for UBC students into the future.

Jennifer Duis, Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Laurel Schafer, Chemistry, Faculty of Science