The power of Mathematica to solve algebraic, calculus and other mathematical problems in either analytical or numerical form and to plot these results serves well the objectives of upper-level undergraduate physics courses. Examples from classes in electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics and classical mechanics and from research illustrate these capabilities. They include making 3-D surface plots of infinite sum solutions found by separation of variables in 2-D, calculating numerical solutions to the eigenvalue problem arising from solving for the energies and wavefunctions for a 1-D particle in an infinite well with a finite barrier, solving numerically the differential equation associated with the oscillations of a stretched rubber band and plotting the results, and creating publication-quality graphs of molecular spectra obtained during research.
Citation: Richard L. Bowman, "Using Mathematica in Upper Division Courses: Examples and Hints," Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Sciences, U. of Virginia, VA, USA, 29 May 2003.