Visualization and interactivity in the teaching of chemistry to science and non-science students

A series of interactive, instructional units have been developed that integrate computational molecular modelling and visualization to teach fundamental chemistry concepts and the relationship between the molecular and macro-scales. The units span the scale from atoms, small molecules to macromolecular systems, and introduce many of the concepts discussed in a first year undergraduate class, such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, the molecular nature of physical properties and structure-function relations in macromolecular systems. The units were used in an introductory level chemistry course for non-science majors and students interested in non-traditional science careers. Assessment of these units indicated that the students are successfully learning fundamental concepts, value the computer-based learning aids, and begin to develop mental models of the molecular scale.