Acquisition of Scanning Electron Microscope for Introductory/Advanced Course Work and Faculty/Undergraduate Research: Biology, Geological Sciences, Anthropology

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Acquisition of scanning electron microscope for introductory/advanced course work and faculty/undergraduate research: Biology, Geological Sciences, Anthropology. Instrumentation: The scanning electron microscope (SEM) housed in the Department of Biology has been in service for fifteen years. Recent breakdown (cracked scanning/objective coils) and unavailability of replacement parts or possibility of repair has made the microscope inoperable. The major users in Biology and Geological Sciences propose to replace the inoperable instrument and incorporate an Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis system in a new instrument. Research and Training Geneseo is a primarily undergraduate institution with a strong commitment to faculty and student research. The proposed SEM would be utilized in several courses, as a primary instrument in directed studies, undergraduate theses, and as a research instrument for faculty and undergraduate research projects. Courses that utilize the SEM included: General Biology Laboratory (Biol 118; laboratory demonstration), Microscope Techniques (Biol 378), Biological Techniques: Electron Microscopy (Biol 390), and Invertebrate Paleontology (GSci 361). In these courses 25-75 students are introduced annually and or trained in operation of the instrument. Directed studies (Biol 382, 399, Gsci 399, Anth 399) and other student research projects will comprise a significant portion of student use and training. In these investigations students under an appropriate level of supervision use the SEM to pursue individual or project research goals. (In the last year since the SEM breakdown twelve students in geology course or projects have had reason to use an SEM for microfossil and sedimentary particle or fabric studies.) Faculty research at Geneseo encompasses several fields that utilize electron microscopy; procurement of a new instrument is required for attainment of external funds and continued research. Faculty teaching and rese arch include: Paleogene primate evolution (Anemone), parasitology (Bandoni), Zebra mussel larva morphology (Bosch), flagellar apparatus of green algae (Hoops), micropaleontology and black shale studies (Over), plant-bacteria relations (Simon), and palynology (Spear). An EDX system will be applied in research involving magnetic sensing in birds (Beason), paleomagnetic fabric in sediments (Brennan), bentonite and burrow lining characterization (Over), and bacterial ecosystems (Simon). In addition the research potential of the SEM-EDX will be increased to incorporate a broader range of studies. Funding for a new SEM will lead to continued study of organisms and environments where high resolution, high contrast microscopy is essential. The instrument will be an integral part of student and faculty research and serve as a tool for encouraging under-represented groups to pursue careers in science and engineering. Six of the major users currently have research funding, four projects are directly related to studies that utilize the SEM; all major users have proposals under review or in preparation that will utilize the SEM an/or EDX system.