A Modern X-Ray Laboratory for Undergraduate Instruction

汉密尔顿学院高级地质学课程的一个主要目的是让学生获得获取和解释地质数据的直接经验，包括使用现代仪器获得的数据。在课程中使用现代分析设备不仅可以确保学生获得获取、理解和解释定量数据的经验，而且还可以为他们的高级课程带来更复杂的视角，在这些课程中，对原始文献的批判性阅读是一个重要的关注点。为了实现这些目标，地质系将建立一个现代化的X射线实验室。这个实验室将包括一个集成的x射线衍射仪和x射线荧光光谱仪，并与一台个人电脑连接。这样的设施将使学生有机会对地质材料进行敏感的矿物学和地球化学分析。该设施将通过地球化学、火成岩/变质岩石学、沉积地质学和矿物学课程的实验练习与课程紧密结合。学院要求所有学生都有一个高级项目，x射线衍射和x射线荧光仪器的可用性将大大扩展学生能够承担的项目类型和结果质量。该学院将以等额的资金配合奖金。

A principal aim of the upper-level geology curriculum at Hamilton College is to give students direct experience in acquisition and interpretation of geological data, including those obtained using modern instrumentation. Use of modern analytical equipment in the curriculum will ensure not only that students gain experience in acquiring, understanding, and interpreting quantitative data, but also that they will bring a more sophisticated perspective to their upper level courses, in which critical reading of primary literature is an important concern. The geology department will establish a modern X- ray laboratory in order to achieve these goals. This laboratory will consist of an integrated X-ray diffractometer and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer interfaced with a personal computer. Such a facility will give students the opportunity to perform sensitive mineralogical and geochemical analyses of geologic materials. This facility will be intimately integrated into the curriculum through laboratory exercises in Geochemistry, Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology, Sedimentary Geology, and Mineralogy courses. The college requires a senior project of all students, and availability of X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence instrumentation will significantly expand both the types of projects that students will be able to undertake and the quality of the results. The college will match the award with an equal amount of funds.