Implementation of Digital Image Processing and Analysis in aBiology Curriculum

在过去的25年里，视频显微镜和数字成像给光学显微镜带来了革命性的变化，个人电脑也改变了课堂教学方式。到目前为止，生物系一直缺乏资源，无法将数字图像采集和分析作为其课程的组成部分。该部门现在正在获得光学显微镜和计算机资源，以使这种集成成为可能。学生们使用各种设备光学显微镜，通过摄像机连接到带有视频帧采集板的Macintosh计算机；凝胶文档系统中的摄像机；数字化平板电脑；以及扫描仪，学生们正在将图像数字化，然后对其进行处理和分析。其中一些经过处理的图像被用作电子实验室报告的基础，并作为其他学生的参考。在本科生Macintosh专家的帮助下，教职员工正在本系四门核心课程中的两门和两门高级选修课中开始使用乐器，帮助核心课程中的其他教师学习如何使用乐器，并监督进行独立研究的学生使用乐器。该项目涉及所有生物专业的学生，学院所有的康复前艺术专业的学生，以及许多其他理科专业的学生。它正在让学生和教职员工掌握强大的新技能，并帮助其他人扩大对这项技术的使用。学生们经常在工作站上分组工作，因此该项目也鼓励协作学习。*

During the past 25 years, video microscopy and digital imaging have revolutionized light microscopy, and personal computers have changed how classes are taught. Until now, the Biology Department has lacked the resources to make digital image acquisition and analysis an integral part of its curriculum. The department is now acquiring light microscope and computer resources to make this integration possible. Using a variety of devices light microscopes coupled, through video cameras, to Macintosh computers with video frame-grabber boards; a video camera in a gel documentation system; a digitizing tablet; and a scanner students are digitizing images and then processing and analyzing them. Some of the processed images are being used as the basis of electronic laboratory reports and serving as references for other students. Faculty, with the help of undergraduate Macintosh experts, are initiating the use of the instruments in two of the department's four core courses and two upper-level elective courses, helping other faculty in the core courses learn how to use the instruments, and supervising the use of the instruments by students doing independent research. The project involves all biology majors, all of the college's pre-healing arts students, and many students majoring in other science departments. It is equipping students and faculty with powerful new skills and helping others expand their uses of this technology. Students often work in groups at the workstations, so the project also encourages collaborative learning. *