Enhancement of a Research-Based Curriculum Through Microscopy and Imaging

地质学研究型课程的最新进展强调了光学显微镜的使用以及电磁辐射与地质问题研究中物质的相互作用。 该项目增强了这些课程的变化与研究级岩相显微镜，包括35毫米摄影和视频功能的实施。 该项目的改进包括增强整个课程的演示能力;在入门课程中，非科学专业和潜在的科学专业学生更好地理解科学方法和原理;本科专业学生接触到以前不可能的现代岩相学技术;以及加强独立研究项目。 显微镜和视频/摄影系统使岩石和矿物的研究更吸引非科学专业的学生，并促进岩石和矿物研究的应用，作为了解地球的组成和演化，环境问题以及生命起源和演化的一种手段。 使用成像能力向矿物学学生演示光学技术，增强了对光学理论和技术的理解，从而增加了学生在课程后期和其他高级课程中使用光学方法作为调查工具。 显微镜/成像系统也被用来让学生参与矿物学，岩石学，结构地质学，经济地质学，沉积学和古生物学课程的互动实验室项目。 最后，具有现代成像能力的研究级岩相显微镜提高了本科生研究出版物，演示文稿和报告的质量，这些出版物，演示文稿和报告来自独立项目，荣誉项目和现在毕业所需的高级顶点项目。

Recent progress toward a research-based curriculum in geology emphasizes the use of optical microscopy and the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter in the study of geological problems. This project enhances these curricular changes with the implementation of a research-grade petrographic microscope that includes 35-mm photography and video capabilities. Improvements resulting from this project include enhanced demonstration capabilities throughout the course curriculum; greater comprehension of scientific methods and principles by non-science-majors and potential science majors in introductory courses; the exposure of undergraduate majors to modern petrographic techniques that previously were not possible; and the enhancement of independent research projects. The microscope and video/photographic system makes the study of rocks and minerals more appealing to non-science-majors and facilitates the application of rock and mineral studies as a means to understanding the composition and evolution of the Earth, environmental problems, and the origin and evolution of life in introductory courses. Use of the imaging capabilities to demonstrate optical techniques to students in Mineralogy enhances the comprehension of optics theory and techniques resulting in increased student use of optical methods as investigative tools later in the course and in other upper-level courses. The microscope/imaging system is also being used to involve students in interactive laboratory projects in courses in mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, economic geology, sedimentology, and paleontology. Finally, the research-grade petrographic microscope with modern imaging capabilities enhances the quality of undergraduate research publications, presentations, and reports resulting from independent projects, honors projects, and senior capstone projects that are now required for graduation.