Integrating Python into Physical Chemistry Lab

Thumbnail Image

Files

integrating-python-into-physical-chemistry-lab.pdf (291.17 KB)
survey-questions.docx (15.37 KB)

Links to Files

https://chemrxiv.org/engage/chemrxiv/article-details/622283f397f210417afd7bbe

Permanent Link

https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-09k30
 http://hdl.handle.net/11603/24508

Collections

UMBC Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
UMBC Faculty Collection

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2022-03-07

Type of Work

working papers
Text

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

This item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Subjects

Abstract

This paper shows a method for integrating computer programming into a standard physical chemistry laboratory sequence to augment student analysis abilities and allow them to carry programming skills forward to other courses. The Python programming language is used, taking advantage of the pedagogical benefits of Jupyter notebooks, primarily the ability to intersperse instructions and interactive code cells. A series of five notebooks, plus one traditional script exercise are designed to teach basic techniques (e. g. loops, assignments, data types), instrument interfacing, model fitting, and introductory quantum chemistry. The skills are directly applicable to labs the students perform during the hands-on portion of the courses. A survey of students who have completed the course show high confidence in their ability to learn new skills, and student comments reveal they have used these skills in a variety of other contexts.