Chem 560 Research Tools and Special Topics

Introduction to Maple

Content: Maple is software that "does mathematics" for you. Remember learning to differentiate, integrate, find limits etc in your math course? - now Maple does that all for you, so you can concentrate on interpreting your data. This module is an introduction to Maple that will focus on the some basic aspects that may be of use to most chemists: (i) how to plot data and equations in various ways, (ii) how to solve equations, (iii) how to solve differential equations (think rate equations here), (iv) Chemical examples will used throughout, such as equilibrium calculations, membrane transport, chemical kinetics, etc.

Teaching Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, you should:
Understand the purpose of Maple and basic use of the software in the worksheet mode.
Know how to plot data and equations in various ways.
Know how to solve equations, both analytically and symbolically.
Know to solve differential equations (think rate equations here)
Understand the most commonly used commands of Maple, and the simpler aspects of the Maple programming language.

Text
There is no textbook, but various resources are provided by MapleSoft through the Maple Portal that is installed with the Maple software.

Summary of classes
Introduction to Maple, the worksheet interface, and input modes. Floating point numbers: how to get them and how accurate are they, and a little bit about plotting.
Variables and evaluations; sets, lists and sequences; solving equations (one equation).
Numeric solution of one equation. Solving more than one equation.
Integration and differentiation. Plotting.
Solving differential equations. Examples: Kinetics of A->B->C, Particle-in-a-box solutions.
Working with pieces. Introduction to programming.
More on programming. Example: a molar mass calculator.
Vectors and Matrices. Example: Balancing chemical equations.
This will be an introduction to the subject, and will not assume any significant programming or mathematical knowledge. (An Advanced Maple module may be offered later, for those with prior programming experience.)

Delivery: Approximately eight 1.5-hour lectures.

Assessment: Approximately six weekly assignments.