HOW LABORATORY QUALITY PROCEDURES AFFECT THE COMPETENCE OF CHEMISTRY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS?

Reform of the education system in universities is needed to improve the quality of graduates according to 21st-century competencies. The purpose of this study was to enhance the competence of chemistry graduates by applying a project-based learning model through the application of laboratory quality procedures (PBL-ALQP). The PBL-ALQP model has been used for the chemical analysis instrumentation experiment and was carried out in two stages. In the preliminary stage, student activities in working solutions preparation and conducting instrumentation analysis were observed to measure the achievement level of necessary laboratory skills and instrumentation analysis skills, respectively. In project work, students in groups were given a project to solve problems related to instrumentation analysis. By referring to the scientific articles that they must look for, students must collaboratively be able to compile project designs, implement projects, report project results by implementing laboratory quality procedures so that the results of the analysis carried out can be trusted and valid. Through authentic assessment, student activity was observed to measure the achievement level of critical thinking skills, communication skills, and scientific work abilities. The achievement level of basic laboratory skills, instrumentation analysis skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, and scientific work abilities of chemistry students are in high categories. The results showed that PBL-ALQP model could be used to improve the competence of chemistry graduates.