The Importance of the Laboratory Quality Management System in the Academic Curriculum in Developing Appropriate Student Competences for Our Current Societal Needs

Abstract

Laboratory quality management system is a concept of utmost importance for industry and other economic sectors. Nowadays, even for university laboratories it is possible to have accredited tests according to standard ISO/IEC 17025. This paper demonstrates a way of evaluating the potential of academic experts to integrate successfully the quality management systems of a chemical analysis laboratory in the teaching process. However, designing an appropriate academic curriculum responding to our current societal needs is still very challenging. In teaching and developing practical competences in analytical quality assurance, training offered to students in aspects related to the validation of an analytical method including performance characteristics such as selectivity and specificity, linear range, sensitivity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, ruggedness, accuracy, precision, etc., are primary steps in the process of a complete understanding of quality management system topics. This contribution presents a compilation of the most important current developments in a university chemical analysis laboratory with good results in developing theoretical and practical skills in analytical quality assurance for students, graduates and postgraduates alike. Teaching students with an interdisciplinary approach allows them to gain knowledge in making connections between disciplines and theories, between practical problems and accumulated knowledge, and between society’s assumptions, expectations, and needs.

Keywords

• quality management system
• academic curricula
• competences
• societal needs
• chemical analysis laboratory
• analytical quality assurance