The analytical approach to science is more easily defined than the discipline itself. Statistical methods are often used in design of experiments and are usually used to describe the degree of reliability of a numerical result. Efficiency and optimization are important measures of success in analytical chemistry. Analytical chemists design systems to carry out particular tasks. The task may involve developing a robot, fuel cell, or electronic circuit for a computer or analytical instrument.
Analytical chemists design new scientific instruments and develop methods for analysis.
Analytical chemists in industry are concerned with cost, speed, and reliability of a process. The analytical chemist takes it as a challenge to design the best method or device that will give reliable performance at the highest speed and lowest cost. Since time spent by personnel and safety of work areas contribute to high cost, automation of analytical methods is very important in analytical chemistry. The first stresses equilibrium concepts with a taste of data analysis and selected instrumental techniques. The second treats the theory and practice of instrumental techniques including chromatographic, electrical and optical methods of analysis, mass spectrometry and surface analysis methods.