Development of Software and Curricular Materials for the Incorporation of Computer Simulations into the Undergraduate Physics Curriculum

Clark University, Worcester MA

Investigators

Abstract

Physics (13) Curriculum materials and Java-based software are being developed to make it easier for faculty to incorporate computer applications into the undergraduate physics curriculum. In particular, the principal investigator, in colloboration with Jan Tobochnik of Kalamazoo College and Wolfgang Christian of Davidson College, is developing an extensive and powerful library of Java utilities and templates that make it relatively easy to develop computer simulations and animations in a variety of contexts. The software is platform independent and open source and available at no cost. In addition, the third (Java) edition of our popular undergraduate level computer simulation text is being developed during the time frame of the work.