Using Computational Methods to Reinvigorate an Undergraduate Physics Curriculum

The increased importance of computational methods in physics has made it a must-have skill for undergraduate physics majors. The Austin Peay State University (APSU) Department of Physics and Astronomy has recently reinvigorated its program with the help of the Department of Mathematics by adding small computational components to classes across our curricula, as well as adding a single, required Computational Methods class to the physics major. In addition, we now emphasize a front-to-back problem management approach within our classes; this has required a significant change in the way in which we assess our students performance.