Student Computer Laboratory to Implement Mathematica in the Calculus-Differential Equations Sequence

一项重大的再开发项目正在进行微积分-微分方程序列，该序列每季度向大约900名科学、工程和计算机科学专业的学生教授。这些主题的最基本概念正在以图形方式发展，图形发展的视觉影响有望导致对该主题更强的定性直觉。一旦图形提供的定性直觉到位，学生就有了一个框架，可以在其中嵌入相同概念的更定量的代数发展。这种方法将提高学生分析和解决科学问题的能力。为了这些目的，计算机和符号操作软件正在提供图形功能。该项目同样重要的是Mathematica的交互式笔记本功能，这对于将探索性方法纳入实验室项目是必不可少的。这个项目的一个哲学信念是实验培养直觉；直觉建立数学技能和使用它们的信心。

A major redevelopment project is being undertaken in the calculus-differential equations sequence which is taught each quarter to about 900 students in the sciences, engineering, and computer science. The most basic concepts of these subjects are being developed graphically, and the visual impact of the graphical development is expected to lead to a stronger qualitative intuition for the subject. Once the qualitative intuition that graphics provides is in place, the students have a framework in which to imbed a more quantitative algebraic development of the same concepts. This approach will enhance the student's ability in analyzing and then solving scientific problems. For these purposes computers and symbolic manipulations software are providing graphical capabilities. Equally important to the project is the interactive notebook feature of Mathematica which is imperative to the exploratory approach incorporated into laboratory projects. A philosophical belief of this project is that experimentation fosters intuition; and intuition builds mathematical skills and the confidence to use them.