Discusses simple interval timers for microcomputers, including (1) the Jiffy clock; (2) CPU count timers; (3) screen count timers; (4) light pen timers; and (5) chip timers. Also examines some of the general characteristics of all types of timers. (JN)

Describes a computer program that students use to check their suggestions of possible lines of investigation during a microbiology exercise, the results of procedures, and the decisions made on the basis of experimental evidence. Effectiveness of the program and practical aspects of the investigation are considered. (DH)

This description of the use of "probeware," i.e., hardware which connects to a microcomputer and works with the software to measure factors such as temperature, light, or motion in science laboratory experiments, uses as an example an experiment which would involve the measurement of pendulum motion using the "Precision Timer…

Describes (1) interfacing the Commodore VIC-20 using joystick game ports; (2) a chromatographic integrator for the TRS-80; (3) upgrading input/output capabilities of the TRS-80 color microcomputer; (4) IBM PC interfaced to a Perkin-Elmer DSC-1 differential scanning calorimeter; and (5) an undergraduate experiment in which students design a…

Microcomputers can record laboratory measurements which human laboratory partners can never collect. Simple, harder, and general-purpose interfaces are discussed, with suggestions for several experiments involving an exercise bike, acceleration, and pendulums. Additional applications with pH meters, spectrophotometers, and chromatographs are also…

Describes an exercise (using Apple microcomputer) which provides an introduction to computer simulation as a biological research tool. Includes examples of students' modeling programs and partial program listings for programs developed by students from an original model. (JN)

Describes: (1) a FORTH-language, computer-controlled potentiometric titration; (2) coulometric titrations using computer-interfaced potentiometric endpoint detection; (3) interfacing a scanning infrared spectrophotometer to a microcomputer; (4) demonstrations of signal-to-noise enhancement (digital filtering); (5) and an inexpensive Apple…

A laboratory computer system based on the Commodore PET 2001 is described including three applications for the undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory: (1) recording a UV-visible absorption spectrum; (2) recording and use of calibration curves; and (3) recording potentiometric data. Lists of data acquisition programs described are available…

An interactive computer program in microbial genetics is described. The simulation allows students to work at their own pace and develop understanding of microbial techniques as they choose donor bacterial strains, specify selective media, and interact with demonstration experiments. Sample questions and outputs are included. (DH)

Suggests purchasing a digital multimer (DMM) with an IEEE-488 option to interface an instrument to a microcomputer, indicating that a DMM is well protected from overloads and is easy to connect. An example of its use in an experiment involving hydrolysis of tertiary butyl alcohol (with program listing) is given. (JN)

Describes an inexpensive and versitile interface which can be readily adapted to many on-line experimental projects in scientific fields by educators who are not computer experts. Hardware and software requirements are noted. (JN)

The use of a microcomputer as the basis of a multichannel analyzer (MCA) system is described. Principles of microcomputer MCA, choice of microcomputer, input-output port, data display, MCA program, and interrupt routine (with flowchart) are the topic areas considered. (JN)

The Rockwell AIM 65 is recommended for use in physics laboratories. Among advantages cited are that the basic board can be purchased customized; for example, it can be purchased with or without a printer, power supply, extra memory, and other items. In addition, the computer is basically designed to control equipment and take data from peripheral…

Describes a laboratory designed to give students practical experiences with experimental phenomena discussed in lectures, focusing on laboratory organization and typical experiment. In addition to a list of experiments, three exercises are discussed: fluorescence/laser, ferromagnetic domains, and thermal population (which uses PET computer…

Ten computer programs (available from authors) and a noncomputer calculation of the electron in one-dimensional, one-Bohr box are described, including programs for analytical chemistry, space group generation using Pascal, mass-spectral search system (Applesoft), microcomputer-simulated liquid chromatography, voltammetry/amperometric titrations,…