Abstract: Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), a pivotal liquid chromatography technique that separates molecules based on their hydrodynamic volumes, plays an indispensable role in biopharmaceutical and polymer science. This review systematically examines the historical development and separation mechanisms of gel filtration chromatography (GFC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), while highlighting recent advancements in stationary phase matrix fabrication. The applications section delineates GFC’s superior performance in purifying bioactive materials such as collagen, alongside GPC’s versatile utility in polymer characterization. Drawing upon students’ learning experiences, this work proposes pedagogical strategies for incorporating these cutting-edge technologies into undergraduate instrumental analysis curricula, aiming to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications and foster student engagement.

Key words: Size exclusion chromatography, Gel filtration chromatography, Gel permeation chromatography, Instrumental analysis, Stationary phase, Teaching application