Revolutionizing Chemistry in the Classroom: A University Educational Experience with the Power of MATLAB

In this article, we present the impact of implementing MATLAB as a pedagogical tool in teaching the subject “Analysis of the Structure and Transformation of Matter” (Q1029) during the period from October to November 2022 and 2023, spanning five weeks, in both periods. In this educational experience, we provided a MATLAB script to a group of 32 students as an integral part of their final project. Surveys conducted before and after the introduction of MATLAB revealed a significant increase in efficiency, rising from an average of 8.49 to 9.37. This increase not only suggests a deeper understanding of chemical concepts and calculations but also a substantial improvement in students' problem-solving skills. Additionally, we explored students' perceptions through a questionnaire about the use of MATLAB. The results indicate a high degree of impact and motivation, with approx. 73% of participants expressing their approval. Over 50% of students claimed that the introduction of MATLAB allowed them to discover new concepts, highlighting its positive impact on the learning process. The active integration of MATLAB into the teaching of the subject “Analysis of the Structure and Transformation of Matter” (Q1029), undertaken by us, not only optimizes students' efficiency and understanding but also promotes the development of practical programming skills applied to chemistry, preparing them to face future technological and scientific challenges. This innovative approach aligns with contemporary educational demands and provides an enriching perspective for university learning.