In 1988 the Department of Physics & Astronomy of Drake University embarked on a major revision of its undergraduate curriculum for majors. The introductory two years have by now been completely reformed to stress computer usage and investigations, both in the lectures and in the laboratories. This project is extending the computer intensive curriculum into upper-division courses. The department is inheriting additional laboratory space in its current building to be vacated by the department of chemistry. The project has acquired six Macintosh IIci computers with Mathematica software, as well as six Tennelec PCA Multiport-E multichannel analyzer boards with IEEE-488 interfaces. The Macintosh computers are located in a computation laboratory which also serves as a classroom for physics instruction. The use of Mathematica is being introduced into several upper-division classes. The microcomputers are also being used in an astrophysics laboratory based on image processing, and in undergraduate research participation. They are being used in a nearby nuclear radiation laboratory for lab courses during approximately one-half of one semester per year. There, coupled by cable to the Tennelec interfaces, they are functioning as multichannel analyzers.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9252351
Program Officer
Duncan E. McBride
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-05-01
Budget End
1994-10-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
$35,615
Indirect Cost
Name
Drake University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Des Moines
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
50311