How can we effectively improve the mathematical capabilities of students of chemistry?

Abstract

We describe our extensive collective experience in the conduct of courses based on the use of advanced mathematical software to enhance the capabilities of students of chemistry to solve problems with a mathematical component. These courses have been based on an interactive electronic textbook Mathematics for Chemistry with Symbolic Computation that has been concurrently developed and expanded. The admirable performance of the students who have benefited from our courses leaves no doubt that mathematical software is an invaluable tool for the teaching, learning and practice of mathematics in a chemical context.