Resumen de Integrating Computational Chemistry into a Course in Classical Thermodynamics
Sheridan R. Martini, Cynthia J. Hartzell
Computational chemistry is commonly addressed in the quantum mechanics course of undergraduate physical chemistry curricula. Since quantum mechanics traditionally follows the thermodynamics course, there is a lack of curricula relating computational chemistry to thermodynamics. A method integrating molecular modeling software into a semester long thermodynamics course is proposed in this paper. With the introduction to a computational chemistry program earlier in their undergraduate curriculum, students are given more opportunity to appreciate the vast applications and benefits of the science. The structure of the out-of-class assignments has been modified over the course of three semesters in order to improve correlation with lecture material and focus the goals of each lesson.
