Project CAUSE (Computer Assisted Undergraduate Science Education)

通过这一项目，该大学将配备一个20个工作站的微型计算机辅助数据积累和分析实验室。该仪器正在化学原理课程中使用，这门课程是为化学专业的学生和其他需要严格的普通化学入门课程的学生设计的。每个工作站由一台装有各种数据采集探头和配套硬件的微型计算机组成。该设备经久耐用，使用方便，非常适合本科水平的课程。使用与计算机接口的探头可以快速、准确地积累数据，这反过来又可以将更多的时间花在数据解释上。该仪器还能够同时或连续运行几个不同的实验。数据存储系统和通用软件分析并方便地对文件进行分类，并且可以产生与特定概念或概念簇相关的硬拷贝。这些特性使得该仪器非常适用于实时数据解释。仪器设备符合在整个课程中让学生接触到具有计算机辅助能力的仪器的目标，从而使学生为进入研究生院和越来越依赖此类技术的工作场所做好更好的准备。大约400名学生(化学、生物和其他专业)将在5年内从该项目中受益。

Through this project, the university is equipping a 20-workstation microcomputer-assisted data accumulation and analysis laboratory. The instrumentation is being used in Principles of Chemistry, a course designed for chemistry majors and other students who require a rigorous introductory class in general chemistry. Each workstation consists of a microcomputer equipped with a variety of data accumulating probes and supporting hardware. The equipment is durable, easy to use and highly suitable for undergraduate level courses. The use of computer-interfaced probes allows rapid, accurate data accumulation, which in turn allows more time to be spent on data interpretation. The instrumentation also is capable of running several different experiments simultaneously or consecutively. The data storage system and versatile software analyze and conveniently sort files, and a hard copy can be produced that is relevant to a particular concept or cluster of concepts. These qualities make the instrumentation highly applicable to real-time data interpretation. The instrumentation is in keeping with the goal of exposing students to instruments with computer-assisted capabilities throughout the curriculum, thereby better preparing the student for graduate school and a work place that is increasingly dependent upon such technologies. Some 400 students (chemistry, biology, and other majors) could benefit from the project over the 5-year period.