A comfort level with mathematical methods is beneficial for chemists. Quantum chemistry and kinetics require calculus. Probability and statistics provides a vital foundation for statistical thermodynamics. Matrices and determinants create a fundamental understanding on quantum mechanical operators. The mathematics requirements have been divided into two parts in the program: pre-calculus and calculus.

Computers have taken over a large part of a scientist’s future and career. Right from handling data sets to performing simulations there are several other uses which demand a varying level of skill. The mathematics and computing course has a lab component which focuses on practical skills required in computing.

The first course in the series of two courses is a pre-calculus mathematics course covering linear algebra, functions and probability and statistics. The computing portion of the first course introduces students to methods of handling large amounts of data, visualization of data and mathematical functions as well as the basic structure of computer programs. The second course is a calculus course with a computing portion that not only deals with numerical methods but also build students skills in molecular visualization techniques.