Integrating Computational Chemistry into a Course in Classical Thermodynamics

Computational chemistry is commonly addressed in the quantum mechanics course of undergraduate physical chemistry curricula. Since quantum mechanics traditionally follows the thermodynamics course, there is a lack of curricula relating computational chemistry to thermodynamics. A method integrating molecular modeling software into a semester long thermodynamics course is proposed in this paper. With the introduction to a computational chemistry program earlier in their undergraduate curriculum, students are given more opportunity to appreciate the vast applications and benefits of the science. The structure of the out-of-class assignments has been modified over the course of three semesters in order to improve correlation with lecture material and focus the goals of each lesson.