"Instructional Equipment to Support Undergraduate Field Studies in Aquatic Microbiology"

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This department's aquatic microbiology project provides two-year college students with the opportunity, instruction, and equipment necessary to conduct quality field work. One of the great resources of Southern Illinois (and all of the Midwest) is the abundance of water. This project targets these resources by focusing student experiences on the microorganisms of aquatic ecosystems. Initial work on this project began during the summer of 1987 with the addition of two new courses: Field Biology, and Research in Biological Science. This curriculum addition, combined with new equipment purchases, represents the faculty's determination and commitment to link the classroom with the world of living organisms. To support this project the NSF award has financed the purchase of a quality microscope with phase contrast, epifluorescence and photomicrographic accessories, as well as a small utility boat with equipment for sampling lake and reservoir sediments. With these equipment additions, the aquatic microbiology students are being given an opportunity to combine the excitement and motivation of field work with experience in conducting sound scientific inquiry. Students enrolled in these courses are largely those in the college's four-year transfer program who look forward to completing the baccalaureate in a science-related field. Through reports by these students often presented to local high school classes and to community adult groups, the project also contributes to better public understanding of science and to increased pre-college student interest in science careers. The grantee institution is matching the NSF award with an equal sum obtained from non-Federal sources.