Improving Undergraduate Instruction Through the Inauguration of a Multi-Disciplinary Computer Simulation Laboratory

过去，数学、科学和工程学部的教学一直存在不足，缺少17门涵盖物理、生命科学和数学的课程。教师一直在一个过时的数学和科学计算机辅助学习中心（MSCALC）工作，该中心仍然配备了原始的Apple II/e计算机。MSCALC有限的能力严重阻碍了教师的目标，即超越目前使用的操练和实践练习，并在数学和科学课程中添加交互式实验室模拟组件。该项目旨在通过重新设计MSCALC，为其配备可以运行MacIntosh或IBM个人电脑软件的Power MacIntosh计算机来纠正这种情况。这种新的教学技术使科学教师能够提供实验室练习，以加强“湿实验室”实验，并使学生熟悉使用计算机模拟的现代分析技术。计算机可用于实验前的定向练习，在需要昂贵仪器或材料的领域进行模拟，用于可视化复杂的讲座概念，以及用于加强和评估学生学习的实验后练习。数学专业的学生可以使用软件包来加强数学直觉和洞察力，通过以各种形式表示数学思想和对象（如函数、矩阵、微分方程和无穷级数），允许他们进行实验和操作。该项目还特别帮助该学院的大多数（超过60%）女学生，她们中的许多人在在家或工作多年后重返学校。该项目帮助这些学生获得进一步的知识，帮助他们记住，并提高他们对现代计算机系统的能力和熟悉程度。

The Division of Math, Science, and Engineering has, in the past, been operating with an instructional deficiency in teaching 17 courses that span the physical and life sciences and mathematics. Faculty have been working with an outdated Mathematics and Science Computer Assisted Learning Center (MSCALC) still equipped with original Apple II/e computers. The limited capabilities of the MSCALC has severely hindered the faculty' s goal of going beyond the currently used drill and practice exercises and adding an interactive laboratory simulation component to the mathematics and science curriculum. The project aims to remedy this situation by redesigning the MSCALC, equipping it with Power MacIntosh computers that can run MacIntosh or IBM PC software. This new instructional technology enables science faculty members to offer laboratory exercises that can reinforce `wet lab` experiments and familiarize students with modern analytical techniques using computer simulations. The computers can be used for prelab orientation exercises, for simulations in areas where expensive instrumentation or materials are required, for visualization of complex lecture concepts, and for postlab exercises to reinforce and assess student learning. Mathematics students can use software packages to strengthen mathematical intuition and insight by representing mathematical ideas and objects (such as functions, matrices, differential equations, and infinite series) in a variety of forms that permit them to be experimented with and manipulated. The project also specifically helps the majority_over 60 percent_of the college's students who are women, a great number of whom are returning to school after years at home or work. The project is helping these students gain further knowledge, help in their retention, and increase their competency and familiarity with modern computer systems.