Understanding the Specific Technical Requirements Needed for Successful Transitioning to a Workplace and the Chemistry Undergraduate Course Syllabi: A Case Study

The skills and knowledge of the employers of chemists have been explored in varying degrees of specificity. Some studies have argued that the current university curriculum does not prepare students for modern industry adequately, while others have provided an overview of the job market for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. In order to stay relevant, the chemistry undergraduate course syllabi need to evolve constantly to meet the needs of the modern-day chemist. This study examines the specific technical skills and knowledge in job advertisements required by graduates with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry to successfully transition to a workplace. A relatively new initiative in the chemistry department of the National University of Singapore, namely, the final year internship program, is also evaluated in this paper. Additionally, the chemistry undergraduate course syllabi of the universities and the most researched chemistry topics are examined. The aim of this study is to bridge the gap be...