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Integrated Mathematica™-Based Physical Chemistry Curriculum: Bringing The Science To The Forefront, Kevin Ausman

Kevin D. Ausman

Undergraduate- and graduate-level physical chemistry classes are often so mathematically intensive that they often (a) dissuade qualified students from pursuing the field, (b) require more homework, testing, and grading time be devoted to tracking down hidden mathematical errors than is devoted to working with the subject matter, and (c) limit the complexity, and therefore real-world applicability, of assigned problems. In this talk, the integration of the general-purpose mathematical tool MathematicaTM throughout the second semester of undergraduate physical chemistry will be discussed. Examples provided will demonstrate the feasibility of introducing the MathematicaTM language gradually over the course of the semester, allowing …