Restructuring an Introductory Geology Laboratory Around Themes of Earth Systems

地质系正在发展一种方法，以实验室和实地单元，而不是课堂讲课，作为科学方法教学的重点。目前正在介绍与三门地质学入门讲座课程的学生相关的基础广泛的模块。独立实验课程由六个模块组成，需要1至4个实验环节。每个模块都有一个主题，说明看似不同的主题之间存在的复杂关系。学生通过对各种材料的综合分析来探索这些主题：岩石、矿物、地图、卫星图像、数据集等。实验室活动与直接的实地观察交织在一起。

The Geology Department is developing ane approach in which laboratory and field modules, rather than classroom lectures, serve as the focal point for teaching the scientific method. Modules sufficiently broad-based to be relevant for students in three introductory lecture courses in geology are being introduced. The independent laboratory course consists of six modules requiring 1 to 4 laboratory session. Each module has a theme illustrating the complex relationships which exist between seemingly disparate subjects. Students explore these themes through integrated analyses of a variety of materials: rocks, minerals, maps, satellite images, data sets, etc. The laboratory activities are interwoven with direct field observations.