Porscha McRobbie and Prof. Eitan Geva

Departments of Physics/Chemistry

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Actualization of Mathematical and Abstract Subjects Using Computer-

Based Guided Tutorials

Outline

University of Michigan

Modernizing Quantum Chemistry curriculum Revamping lectures and homework Finding complimentary resources: challenges Bringing lectures to life Making homework interactive Tool of choice: Mathematica Action plan and timeline Assessment methods Other uses of new materials

Quantum Chemistry

chemical intuition in relation to rigorous mathematics

quantum classical analogies more balanced approach to dynamics and structure

Existing Resources extensive lecture notes homework assignments discussion problems

Modernizing Quantum Chemistry curriculum

University of Michigan

intuitive physical problems dynamics

€

x0, p0

€

x t , pt

€

θ

chemical intuition electronic structure

historical experiments mathematics

€

+Ze

€

n =1

€

n = 2

€

n = 3

€

ΔE = hν

€

) H = −

h2

2μ∇ 2 −

1

4πε0

e2

r

Improve as a result of GSI/student interactions

Prof. Eitan Geva

New Additions

Revamping lectures and homework

University of Michigan

Existing Resources

In-class live demonstrations/animations from existing notes Introduce more realistic problems, too cumbersome for notes

Extensive lecture notes

Homework Assignments (pen/paper calculations)

Discussion Problems (blackboard examples)

Interactive/exploratory tutorial-style homework More complex problems with no programming

Finding complimentary resources: challenges

University of Michigan

Time: 0$: 0

Cross-disciplinary “language” time consuming to translate (notation, emphasis)

Non-traditional course content Seek highly specific interactive tools (no

existing quiz question pools) Avoid costly software/textbook purchases

Bringing lectures to life

University of Michigan

Some typical lectures…. Hurray

forDynamics!

Quantumis

FUN

Harmonic Oscillator Phase Space Free Particle Wavepacket Spread

But what

does the time

dependence look like?

Making homework interactive

University of Michigan

Guided tutorial style homework

Tool of choice: Mathematica

University of Michigan

Built-in “Manipulate” and “Animate” commands Creating interactive assignments requires little coding Students only need FREE MathematicaPlayer (no

programming required, source code hidden)

Resources

① Wolfram Free Online Seminars

② Wolfram Demonstrations Project

③ Mathgroup moderated (newsgroup for Mathematica users)

Action plan and timeline

University of Michigan

Task

Preliminary discussions/assessment

Create library of basic examples

Tutorial questions/exercises

Additions to lectures notes/discussions

2009A

pr

May

Jun

Jul

Au

g

Sep

Oct

No

v

Dec

Fall semester

Assessment methods

University of Michigan

External consultant report Mid-semester anonymous surveys Specialized end-of-term evaluations, specific to

computer assignments Future: comprehensive study of performance

with/without computer tools

Other uses of new materials

University of Michigan

Generalize templates to

other classes Geva group

websiteMERLOT

contribution (future)

Future Collaborations (grad students, small colleges)

Wolfram Demo page

contribution