New Approach to Undergraduate Instruction in Structural Geology

该项目的目标是开发新的教学材料，从根本上改变构造地质学对地球科学本科生的教学方式。目前的教科书和实验室手册对岩石结构的几何描述和分类进行了出色的处理，但没有有效地将这些材料与基于连续介质力学的结构分析的原理和定量方法相结合。专门为完成这一整合而设计的新教科书可以用来向其他教育工作者和学生传播项目成果。与教科书一起包装的，代表了构造地质学教学材料的一种新方法，是一个软盘，里面有与教科书章节相关的计算机练习。这些习题以模板形式设置，使用Microsoft Excel进行计算和绘图，并与Macintosh和IBM个人电脑兼容。计算机练习将地图数据和经典构造地质学的描述性观测与相关的数学方法和工程力学原理相结合。通过使迄今为止仅限于研究生课程或实践专业人员的概念和分析方法易于理解，该项目为本科生更好地获得高级学位和职业生涯做好了准备。在本课程中学习的语言和方法使地质学家能够与工程师和其他科学家进行有效的沟通，这是下个世纪工业实践中典型的多学科问题解决方法的关键要求。本计画旨在提供一个可在地球科学教育的各个领域中仿效的教学材料原型。

The objective of this project is to develop new instructional materials that change, fundamentally, how structural geology is taught to undergraduate students in the earth sciences. Current textbooks and laboratory manuals present excellent treatments of the geometric description and classification of rock structures, but do not effectively integrate this material with the principles and quantitative methods of structural analysis based on continuum mechanics. A new textbook, specifically designed to accomplish this integration, can be used to disseminate the project results to other educators and students. Packaged with the textbook, and representing a fresh approach to instructional materials in structural geology, is a floppy disk of computer exercises keyed to chapters in the textbook. The exercises are set up as templates using Microsoft Excel for computation and graphics, and are compatible with both the Macintosh and IBM PC. The computer exercises combine the map data and descriptive observations of classical structural geology with the relevant mathematical methods and principles of engineering mechanics. By making concepts understandable and analysis methods available that heretofore have been restricted to graduate courses or practicing professionals, this project prepares undergraduates better for advanced degrees and professional careers. The language and methods learned in this course prepare geologists to communicate effectively with engineers and other scientists, a key requirement for the multidisciplinary problem solving methods that will typify industrial practices in the next century. This project aims to provide a prototype for instructional materials that can be emulated across the spectrum of earth science education.