Materials from this class were adapted from previous versions of the class and online workshops. Some of these sources may be useful to students of this class.

History

• In Spring 2020, I taught Chem 456 for the first time. Most of the examples were designed to be run in a computer lab.
• In Summer 2021, I organized An International Workshop in Modeling Biological Macromolecules and then ran a small session of Chem 456. Most examples were accessible through a virtual machine.
• In Spring 2022, I organized another version of the workshop, this time held in person in Baranquilla, Colombia. Lectures were simultaneously translated into Spanish! Examples were migrated to Google Colab, allowing easy access from computer with an internet connection.
• I also taught Chem 456 in Fall 2022 and Fall 2024. There have been some very successful student projects! This semester will be different because we will run Jupyter notebooks on ACCESS-CI resources instead of Google Colab. The interface is very similar, but ACCESS-CI has two key advantages: you will retain your virtual environment so that you don’t need to install packages before every exercise; and you can keep notebooks running for two days. It may require a bit more a learning curve in the beginning, but can ease a transition to batch jobs later in the class. Google Colab versions from Fall 2024 may be a useful backup if ACCESS-CI resources are not working.

Sources

In the Spring 2022 workshop, exercises were adapted from

• IIBM3202 Molecular Modeling and Simulation from the Institute for Biological and Engineering at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, and
• TeachOpenCADD

Communications Lab

The Communications Lab offers free 50-minute in-person and virtual tutoring sessions with a range of differently specialized tutors. They can assist with writing assignments, lab reports, midterm papers, presentations, slide decks, creative essays, personal statements, and more in order to help you become a more effective and confident communicator. Their assistance could be useful when preparing the presentations and reports for this course. Whether you are having trouble drafting a thesis statement, deciphering an assignment rubric, structuring an argument, or simply proofreading, the Communications Lab will work with you at any stage of your project. In-person meetings and walk-in visits will take place on the upper level of the Galvin Library, around the corner from OTS (look for signs). While virtual appointments are available, I urge you to meet with tutors in-person for a more effective learning experience. You can register to make an appointment through the WConline portal, though drop-ins are also welcome pending tutor availability. The Communications Lab is open five days a week.

Math and Science Help (MASH)

The Math and Science Help (MASH) under the Academic Resource Center provides academic support for undergraduate students through one-to-one peer-tutoring and review sessions via supplemental instruction. The program focuses on strengthening technical understanding, improving course performance, and developing effective study strategies that support long-term academic success.

Appointments are available five days a week during the fall and spring semesters. In-person meetings and walk-ins take place on the upper level of the Galvin Library, around the corner from OTS. While virtual appointments are available, it is highly encouraged to meet in person for a more effective learning experience. Visit illinoistech.wconline.com to book an appointment with our tutors and supplemental instructors.