A Course in Applied Chemistry at a Third World University

Summaries

English

An outline is given of a programme in applied chemistry within a classical chemistry department of a university located in a Third World country with certain specific needs. The curriculum has been specifically designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills used by chemists in Jamaican industry. Industry personnel were invited to participate fully in the development of the curriculum as well as in actual instruction. In this way, an attempt was made to bridge the gap between the ‘academic’ and the ‘real’ world.

The Third World has experienced a perennial shortage of skilled professional scientists, including chemical engineers. The role of the applied chemist, as envisaged by the authors, has assumed greater importance in the light of this shortage. The programme outlined can probably serve as a basis for discussion in other developing countries contemplating similar programmes.