Closing the Theory-Practice Gap in Analytical Chemistry: A Gas Chromatography Simulator for Enhanced Student Learning

Abstract

Chromatography is a core technique in undergraduate instrumental analysis courses; however, student understanding of chromatographic optimization is often limited by restricted access to instrumentation, time constraints, and the abstract nature of theoretical parameters, such as temperature programming, column dimensions, and detector selection. We report the development and pedagogical evaluation of a MATLAB-based gas chromatography (GC) simulator designed for analytical chemistry courses in science degrees and master’s programs. The simulator allows users to manipulate column characteristics (stationary phase type, length, internal diameter, and film thickness), temperature conditions (isothermal and programmed gradients), carrier gas parameters, and detector types, generating simulated chromatograms that reflect realistic chromatographic behavior. The tool was implemented in a cohort of approximately 200 students enrolled in Pharmacy and Chemistry programs and accompanied by a structured teacher guide, installation instructions, and a student activity manual. Its educational effectiveness was evaluated through a postactivity satisfaction survey and qualitative feedback. Results indicate high levels of student engagement and perceived improvement in understanding chromatographic resolution, selectivity, and detector response. This open-access tool (Zenodo repository – ref 20325295) provides a flexible and scalable strategy to enhance conceptual learning in instrumental analysis courses where hands-on access to GC instrumentation is limited.