9351671 DuBois We are establishing a new course in computational chemistry and visualization applications and a Computational Chemistry and Visualization Laboratory. This laboratory facility is enabling us to teach computational chemistry and visualization applications to students in a laboratory environment as well as providing lecture demonstration capabilities through our video classroom facilities. This integrated use of molecular modeling and visualization tools is being implemented throughout our curriculum (and especially in the junior and senior years) and is enabling our students to visualize a number of fundamental molecular properties which are important in relating microscopic concepts to the macroscopic properties of materials. Recent advances in computational chemistry programs, 3D visualization software, workstation power and computer networking have combined to allow this exciting opportunity to make fundamental pedagogical changes in the undergraduate curriculum. These changes are enabling students to better understand and comprehend the critical, basic concepts of molecular bonding, intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, and molecular interactions with electromagnetic radiation. Perhaps most importantly, the students are gaining that understanding much earlier in their chemical education which, in turn, is permitting them to advance to much higher levels of chemical understanding during their undergraduate education. ***
