This project implements major changes in the manner in which computers are utilized in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Recent developments in hardware and software have made data acquisition, data manipulation, and molecular mechanics calculations possible at an undergraduate level. This was inconceivable 10 years ago and too expensive to consider 5 years ago. The project interfaces the major instruments in the department with computers equipped with LabVIEW data acquisition and handling software, installs a local area network for data transport, and creates a workstation area with site-licensed molecular modeling, scientific graphing, and statistical packages. Laboratories that are most affected by these additions include organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, inorganic chemistry, and the undergraduate research program. Molecular modeling of chemical systems can be introduced extensively in organic lab and reinforced with increasing sophistication in the subsequent courses. This program provides a cost-effective model for the integration of computer technology into the chemistry curriculum of a medium-sized college. The project's effectiveness is being evaluated by an external agent chosen from the American Chemical Society's College Consultants Service.
