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Beyond the Fume Hood: Transforming the Undergraduate Practical Curriculum

Practical chemistry laboratories are a vital component of the undergraduate curriculum, providing opportunities to develop hands-on skills and apply theoretical knowledge — yet too often, students go through the motions without fully engaging with the science. Sustaining student engagement in these sessions remains a key challenge.

This seminar presents a structured practical curriculum designed to address this issue through a spiral approach that progressively builds technical competencies and analytical thinking across the degree program. Each experiment is supported by targeted ‘Pre-Lab Briefings’ that provide contextual information, safety guidance, and practical tips to ensure students are well-prepared. These are complemented by ‘Post-Lab Analysis’ activities offering technical support for data processing and reflective questions to reinforce connections between laboratory work and theoretical concepts.

The curriculum seeks to enhance engagement by embedding clarity, purpose, and progression into each stage of the practical course, fostering a more inclusive and meaningful learning environment. The seminar will outline the curriculum’s structure, highlight examples of student engagement, and reflect on lessons learned from its implementation, including key design features and observed outcomes.