Machine Learning in a Molecular Modeling Course for Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biophysics Students

Abstract

Recent advances in computer hardware and software, particularly the availability of machine learning (ML) libraries, allow the introduction of data-based topics such as ML into the biophysical curriculum for undergraduate and graduate levels. However, there are many practical challenges of teaching ML to advanced level students in biophysics majors, who often do not have a rich computational background. Aiming to overcome such challenges, we present an educational study, including the design of course topics, pedagogic tools, and assessments of student learning, to develop the new methodology to incorporate the basis of ML in an existing biophysical elective course and engage students in exercises to solve problems in an interdisciplinary field. In general, we observed that students had ample curiosity to learn and apply ML algorithms to predict molecular properties. Notably, feedback from the students suggests that care must be taken to ensure student preparations for understanding the data-driven concepts and fundamental coding aspects required for using ML algorithms. This work establishes a framework for future teaching approaches that unite ML and any existing course in the biophysical curriculum, while also pinpointing the critical challenges that educators and students will likely face.