Can muslim students take part in laboratory experiments that involve the use of alcohol?

Alcohol has several categories. The first is alcohol or ethanol derived from fermentation of carbohydrates. This is considered as filth since it is the original source of alcoholic beverages. The second category is alcohol produced chemically from hydrocarbons. According to most Islamic scholars, this type of alcohol is not filth, since it is not meant for consumption, and that it does come from food. Alcohol used in laboratories mainly falls into the second category since it will be very expensive to obtain the first category purified alcohol. Hence, it is permissible to conduct experiments or to use alcohol in laboratories, especially if it is for education, since Islam is a religion that emphasizes much on education.