Mathematical skills required

Math equations on a blackboard

Source: iStock

Endpoint: David Smith has the last word

In his recent Endpoint  article, Colin Osborne (Educ. Chem., 2010, 47 (1), 32)  comments that, at university level, the simple solution to the 'maths problem' would be for 'chemistry departments to make a mathematics qualification obligatory', but expresses his fears that this approach would not be possible because of the competitive market that exists in undergraduate recruitment. I'd like to offer him, and the rest of the chemistry community some encouragement, and disagree. 

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