Fluorescence Microscopy for Undergraduate Projects and Research

北爱荷华大学地球科学系将通过购置荧光显微镜设备，扩大和拓宽本科生项目和研究的机会。虽然荧光显微镜广泛应用于生物和医学领域，但在地球科学领域的应用有限。然而，最近的研究证明了荧光显微镜在识别白云化和再结晶碳酸盐岩中的沉积结构方面的价值。获得一台用于荧光研究和摄影的研究级岩石显微镜，将为该机构开辟新的研究领域。使学生能够系统地解决本州丰富的白云化地层的沉积环境问题。地层学和沉积学的地质学学生将学习荧光显微镜。随后，感兴趣的学生将在本科研究项目中进一步利用荧光显微镜来破译白云化地层的沉积历史。本科研究是获得理学学士学位的必要条件。此外，许多文学学士专业在他们的课程中将本科生研究作为选修课。该大学将提供等额的资助。

The Department of Earth Science, University of Northern Iowa, will expand and broaden opportunities for undergraduate projects and research by the acquisition of equipment for fluorescence microscopy. Although widely used in the biological and medical fields, fluorescence microscopy has received only limited use in the geosciences. Recent studies, however, document the value of fluorescence microscopy in recognizing depositional textures in dolomitized and recrystallized carbonate rocks. Acquisition of a research-quality petrographic microscope, equipped for fluorescence studies and photography, will open up new fields of investigation at the institution. Undergraduate students will be able to systematically tackle questions dealing with the environment of deposition of the dolomitized strata which are so abundant in the state. Geology students enrolled in stratigraphy and sedimentation will be introduced to fluorescence microscopy. Subsequently, interested students will utilize fluorescence microscopy further in undergraduate research projects designed to decipher the depositional history of dolomitized strata. Undergraduate research is a requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, a number of Bachelor of Arts majors select undergraduate research as an elective in their programs. The University will match the award with an equal amount of funds.