Molecular Modeling as a Theme in the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum

我们在整个本科化学和生物化学课程中加入分子模拟活动和实验，以提高学生的学习能力。我们正在将霍普学院的分子模型和计算化学模型应用到我们的课程中，实施了一些公开的建模活动，并开发了我们自己的开放式练习，以整合到化学原理课程、荣誉普通化学课程和物理化学序列中。我们预计将对项目进行四倍的改进。首先，该项目是一种更有效、更有意义地吸引学生参与化学入门课程的战略方式。其次，分子建模增强了学生对化学核心分子的概念和视觉理解。第三，分子建模可以通过提供计算化学作为线索和教学资源的复杂性的进展来改善整个课程的学生成果。第四个目标是为学生提供对基础计算理论的现实理解。在项目中使用基于linux的集群作为各种基于Web的分子建模工具的Web服务器，为实现这些目标提供了独特的机会。举办了两次夏季教师发展研讨会，以增加项目实施的质量，数量和广度。此外，还计划以开设新的分子建模课程的形式加强具体的课程。我们期望这个项目将加强我们学生在生命科学方面的化学教育，他们中的许多人将继续研究生学习。同时，考虑到计算化学在化学、生物化学和分子生物学的学术和工业研究中的广泛应用，我们希望学生接触计算化学将特别重要。

Chemistry (12) We are incorporating molecular modeling activities and experiments throughout the undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry curriculum to enhance student learning. We are adapting the Hope College's molecular modeling and computational chemistry model for our courses by implementing several published modeling activities and also developing our own open-ended exercises to integrate into the Principles of Chemistry course, honors General Chemistry course and the Physical Chemistry sequence. We anticipate a four-fold program enhancement. First, the project is a strategic way to more effectively and meaningfully engage students in our introductory chemistry course. Second, molecular modeling enhances students' conceptual and visual understanding of the molecules that are at the heart of chemistry. Third, molecular modeling can improve student outcomes throughout the curriculum by providing a progression in the sophistication of computational chemistry as a thread and pedagogical resource. A fourth goal is providing majors with a realistic understanding of the underlying computational theory. The use of a Linux-based cluster acting as a Web server for a variety of Web-based molecular modeling tools in the project provides a unique opportunity to address these goals. Two summer faculty development workshops are conducted to add quality, quantity, and breadth to the project implementation. Further, specific curricular enhancements are also planned in the form of offering a new molecular modeling course. We expect that this project will enhance the chemical education of our students in the life sciences, many of whom will pursue graduate study. As well, we expect that exposure to computational chemistry will be particularly important for students, given its ubiquitous use in academic and industrial research in chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology.