Book excerpt: Practical skills form the cornerstone of chemistry. However, the diversity of skills required in the laboratory means that a student’s experience may be limited. While some techniques do require specific skills, many of them are transferable generic skills that are required throughout the subject area. Limited time constraints of the modern curriculum often preclude or minimise laboratory time. Practical Skills in Chemistry 3rd edition provides a general guidance for use in and out of practical sessions, covering a range of techniques from the basic to the more advanced. This ‘one-stop’ text will guide you through the wide range of practical, analytical and data handling skills that you will need during your studies. It will also give you a solid grounding in wider transferable skills such as teamwork, using information technology, communicating information and study skills. This edition has been enhanced and updated throughout to provide a complete and easy-to-read guide to the developing skills required from your first day through to graduation, further strengthening its reputation as the practical resource for students of chemistry and related discipline areas.