Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Chemistry Education:

Spyder provides a easy to use software that can be used to generate data from quantum mechanical systems. This proposed micro-course, takes advantage of this utility to teach undergraduates with little coding experience the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. The concepts that the micro-course will teach include the basics of Python programming, the uncertainty principle, wave functions, and Dirac notation. Assignments in the micro-course include solving for the wave functions of harmonic oscillators and simulating the absorbance of an aggregate. The main project allows student to build their own energy matrix which will produce absorbance graphs for simulated aggregates. The proposal includes slides and worked examples for the users as well as discussion on teaching methods. The project based approach allows students to interact with data and challenge their own learning. This can be used in short directed studies for students with an inclination toward physics to learn quantum mechanics and practice their programming abilities.

Cathy Wong

University of Oregon

Appearances