Integration of Advanced Analytical Applications into the Geological Engineering Curriculum

该项目将先进的分析技术整合到本科地质工程课程中。X射线衍射系统(X射线衍射系统)将与现有的扫描电子显微镜(SEM)结合使用，以开发加速教育计划。地质工程师进入职场时通常只有理科学士学位，因此，他们没有接受研究生水平课程中通常教授的分析方法方面的培训。我们建议通过一个协调的、涉及9门课程和11名教师的多年计划来弥补这一教育缺陷。X射线衍射仪和扫描电子显微镜的技术和应用将被引入到本科课程中，采用实践性的方法。对美国其他13个地质工程项目的调查表明，(A)我们提议的项目具有创新性和独特性；(B)这种类型的培训非常有必要；(C)至少有11所学校会认真考虑效仿我们的课程改革。该课程将在二年级的第一学期开始，在矿物学和地球材料课程中介绍X射线衍射/扫描电子显微镜的理论、操作和基本技能。在随后的岩石学、构造地质学和地貌学课程中，二年级引入的技能将得到保持和进一步发展，使学生能够巩固他们对基本原理的理解，并进入更复杂的、与过程相关的应用。在高级阶段，石油地质学、矿产勘探、水文地质学和工程地质项目设计等课程的新实验室练习将使学生接触到先进的X射线衍射/扫描电子显微镜技术，以解决广泛的实际地质工程问题。我们在为期两年的试验期内评估了我们的方法的可行性，该试验期涉及大二矿物学和大三的岩石学学生，我们发现学生们对该项目的实践性和实践性充满热情。该项目全面实施后，每年将有大约125名本科生工程师参与。

This project integrates advanced analytical techniques into an undergraduate geological engineering curriculum. An x-ray diffraction system (XRD) will be used in conjunction with an existing scanning electron microscope (SEM) to develop an accelerated educational program. Geological engineers typically enter the workplace with only a B.S. degree and, thus, they are not trained in analytical methodologies normally taught in graduate-level courses. We propose to remediate this educational deficiency through a coordinated, multi-year program involving 9 courses and 11 faculty. XRD and SEM techniques and applications will be introduced into the undergraduate curriculum using an applied, hands-on approach. A survey of 13 other geological engineering programs in the United States indicates that (a) our proposed project is innovative and unique; (b) there is a great need for this type of training; and (c) at least 11 schools would seriously consider implementing curricular changes modeled on ours. The program will begin in the first semester of the sophomore year by introducing XRD/SEM theory, operation, and basic skills into Mineralogy and Materials of the Earth courses. In subsequent Petrology, Structural Geology, and Geomorphology courses, skills introduced in the sophomore year will be maintained and further developed allowing students to solidify their understanding of basic principles and advance to more complex, process-related applications. At the senior level, new laboratory exercises in capstone courses, Petroleum Geology, Mineral Exploration, Hydrogeology, and Engineering Geology Project Design, will expose students to advanced XRD/SEM techniques for solving a wide range of real-life geological engineering problems. The feasibility of our approach was assessed during a 2-year trial period involving sophomore Mineralogy and junior Petrology students in which we found the students to be enthusiastic about the applied, hands-on nature of the program. When the project is fully implemented, annual participation will be approximately 125 undergraduate engineers.