Undergraduate Geology Curriculum Enhancement With an X-Ray Diffractometer

地理与地球科学系通过标准地质学课程的教学以及实地和实验室问题的应用来培养地球科学专业人员和中学教师。为了加强培训计划，该部门正在获得x射线衍射仪（XRD）。这次收购在两个层面上显著改善了地理和地球科学课程：(1)学生，大部分是在环境行业就业，可以学习使用该设备作为分析工具来研究地质问题；(2)可以通过使用XRD的实验室练习来教授矿物学，岩石学和沉积地质学的许多基本地质概念，通过这些实验，学生可以熟悉仪器的理论和操作。该项目的实施需要将XRD整合到现有的三门课程中（矿物学，岩石学，地层学和沉积学）。此外，在一门新课程（地质学实验方法）中，教授了XRD在各种地质问题中的应用。我们鼓励学生利用这个工具的力量来设计他们自己的高级研究课程项目。

The Department of Geography and Earth Science trains earth science professionals and secondary teachers through instruction in the standard geology curriculum and the application of field and laboratory problems. To enhance this training program, the department is obtaining an x-ray diffractometer (XRD). This acquisition significantly improves the Geography and Earth Science curricula on two levels: (1) students, most of whom are destined for employment in the environmental industry, can learn to use this device as an analytical tool with which geologic problems can be investigated and (2) many basic geologic concepts of mineralogy, petrology, and sedimentary geology can be taught by laboratory exercises employing the XRD, through which students become familiar with the theory and operation of the instrument. Execution of this project entails the integration of the XRD into three existing courses (Mineralogy, Petrology, and Stratigraphy and Sedimentation). In addition, applications of the XRD to various geologic problems are being taught in a new course (Laboratory Methods in Geology). Students are encouraged to utilize the power of this instrument in designing their own projects for the course in senior research.