A Guided Size Exclusion Chromatography Demonstration for Teaching Polymer Separation and Characterization

Abstract

Practical experience with modern analytical instruments is an essential component of undergraduate chemistry education, yet access to advanced instruments varies widely among institutions because of differences in available resources. Although size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is extensively used in polymer characterization in both academia and industry, undergraduate students at Montclair State University previously had limited opportunities to gain hands-on experience to this technique. To address this need, a demonstration using a multidetector-equipped Malvern Panalytical OMNISEC system was developed and incorporated into a second-year organic chemistry laboratory course during the 2025–2026 academic year. This activity engaged more than 300 undergraduate students representing chemistry, biochemistry, biology, psychology, marine science, and exercise science majors and was further extended to 8 undergraduate researchers and 6 K–12 participants through the Summer Polymer Research Program. Educational effectiveness was evaluated using worksheets, pre- and postdemonstration assessments, and anonymous students surveys. More than 95% of participants (n = 169) correctly answered the Fall 2025 postdemonstration worksheet questions, indicating a strong understanding of SEC concepts and instrument operation. In Summer 2026, students (n = 18) completed conceptually equivalent pre- and postdemonstration multiple-choice assessments. Mean scores increased from 7.72 ± 1.23 to 9.00 ± 1.03 (p < 0.001), demonstrating improved understanding following the demonstration. These findings show that a guided SEC demonstration provides an effective and adaptable approach for introducing advanced chromatographic instrumentation and polymer characterization to students from diverse scientific backgrounds.