Improvement of the Microscope Facilities at Wake Forest University by the Acquisition of a Scanning Electron Microscope

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This award provides funds to the Biology Department at Wake Forest University to purchase a Scanning Electron Microscope. Two components of the Biology curriculum will be directly affected by this award. These include the laboratory components of several upper division courses, and Research in Biology, the mechanism by which undergraduates do independent or directed study projects in research laboratories. The Biology Department has been very successful at encouraging students to undertake research projects as part of their undergraduate experience, often leading to presentations at statewide or national meetings, and occasionally, publications. In addition, through the Department's outreach programs, secondary school biology teachers, high school students, and students from other colleges and universities have the opportunity to participate in the research program. Microscopy is one of the strengths of the Biology Department. The Department is well-equipped with sophisticated light microscopy and video image analysis capability, which is available to undergraduates doing research projects or taking specific courses. Over the years, a large number of students have used the transmission electron microscope as a tool to study cellular and tissue organization in the electron microscope course and in independent research. A scanning electron microscope will allow correlative light, transmission and scanning microscopy, and will extend the uses of electron microscopy to a number of laboratory courses and research projects where it is not presently feasible. The grantee is matching this award with non-Federal sources.