Enhancement of a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory Curriculum

该项目正在购买高性能（486DX）桌面计算系统和打印机，包括一台彩色再现打印机，以加强基于微电脑的实验室程序。学生们将参与(a)使用新的数字万用表接口单元和IBM正在与一名教员合作开发的软件，以及(b)用于可视化和计算的三维分子建模。该设备被用于大一、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。学生正使用介面装置进行精密的电化学实验。这些仪器可以直接测量电流和/或电压作为时间或键盘输入的函数，从而可以研究许多化学反应和物理量。使用全套数学工具以及图形输出到屏幕或打印机的数据分析和转换也正在进行中。分子建模软件向学生介绍了化学家的一个重要的新工具。他们正在学习显示和操作3-D分子结构，提取几何或电子属性，并进行曾经只有高端计算机设备才能进行的计算。

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.