A Century of Teaching Inorganic Chemistry

Over the past century, the teaching of undergraduate inorganic chemistry has experienced a roller coaster of implementation. Starting with a separation from general chemistry, to recombination, then overall neglect, inorganic chemistry content and instruction have had a dynamic influence in the world of chemical education. With curriculum changes beginning in the late 1920s, American Chemical Society (ACS) guidelines have been continually altered even into modern day. The 1939 ACS chemistry degree accreditation guidelines did not originally include inorganic chemistry.¹ With the introduction of chemistry as a requirement for professional careers outside of chemical research, ACS guidelines for general chemistry introduced a stronger focus on mathematical concepts and less on descriptive inorganic topics.² It was not until 1999 that inorganic chemistry was added to the requirements for ACS degree accreditation.³ Today, inorganic chemistry instruction remains diverse in implementation from institution to institution, and it will continue to develop with advances in content, technological resources, and academic standards.

1. Selwood, P. W. J Chem Educ, 1941, 18, 401.
2. Lloyd, B. W. J Chem Educ, 1992, 69, 633.
3. American Chemical Society, Committee on Professional Training. Undergraduate Professional Education in Chemistry: Guidelines and Evaluation Procedures. American Chemical Society, 1999.