Enhancement of a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory Curriculum

该项目正在购买高性能(486DX)台式计算机系统和打印机，包括一台用于彩色复制的打印机，以加强以微型计算机为基础的实验室计划。学生将学习(A)使用新的数字万用表接口单元和软件，该软件目前由IBM与其中一名教师合作开发，以及(B)用于可视化和计算的3-D分子建模。该设备正被用于大一、大二、大三和大四的专业课程，以及物理科学文科课程的非专业学生。学生们正在使用接口设备进行精密的电化学实验。这些仪器允许直接测量电流和/或电压作为时间或键盘输入的函数，从而允许研究许多化学反应和物理量。还在使用一整套数学工具进行数据分析和转换，并将图形输出到屏幕或打印机。分子建模软件正在向学生介绍化学家的一个重要的新工具。他们正在学习显示和操纵3-D分子结构，提取几何或电子性质，以及进行曾经留给高端计算机设施的计算。

This project is purchasing high performance (486DX) desk-top computing systems and printers, including one for color reproduction, in order to enhance a microcomputer-based laboratory program. The students are being involved in (a) using new digital multimeter interface units and software currently under development by IBM in collaboration with one of the faculty members, and (b) 3-D molecular modeling for visualization and computation. The equipment is being used in courses for majors at the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior level as well as by non-majors in a liberal arts course in physical science. Students are performing precision electrochemical experiments using the interface devices. These allow direct measurement of current and/or voltage as a function of time or of keyboard input permitting the study of numerous chemical reactions and physical quantities. Data analysis and transformation using a full set of mathematical tools as well as graphical output to screen or printer also is being done. The molecular modeling software is introducing students to an important new tool for the chemist. They are learning to display and manipulate 3-D molecular structures, to extract geometric or electronic properties and to perform calculations once reserved for high-end computer facilities.