Integration of Scanning Electron Microscopy into Undergraduate, Biology, Chemistry and Geology Curricula

该提案要求提供资金购买扫描电子显微镜(SEM)，以支持、改善和加强代顿大学的本科教育。在生物、化学和地质学的七门跨学科课程、十七门高级课程和六门入门课程的本科生，以及每个系的理科硕士论文研究中，都将使用扫描电子显微镜。扫描电子显微镜将为学生提供实践经验，以获得有关样本外部特征的宝贵三维信息，从而增加对微观结构的理解。全自动、用户友好的扫描电子显微镜将允许在生物、化学和地质系的本科课程中纳入以下变化：1)增加一门新的、团队授课的、跨学科的和创新的电子显微镜课程，学生研究内容侧重于微结构技术；2)每个系的高级实验室的学生都有更好的动手体验；3)所有理科入门课程的学生都有机会获得第一手扫描电子显微镜的操作；4)在非科学专业的入门实验室的学生练习中使用扫描电子显微镜，以努力提高对科学的兴趣和理解，5)能够在每个系的本科生研究中使用结构方程。学生将获得数据分析、仪器“诀窍”和最先进的培训所需的知识，以进入就业市场，成为有竞争力、多产的科学家。

This proposal requests funds to purchase a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to support, improve and enhance undergraduate education at the University of Dayton. The SEM will be used by undergraduate students enrolled in seven interdisciplinary, seventeen upper level and six introductory courses in Biology, Chemistry and Geology, and for B.S. thesis research in each department. The SEM will provide students hands-on experience in obtaining valuable three-dimensional information about the external features of specimens and to thereby increase understanding of microstructure. A fully automated, user friendly SEM will permit the following changes to be incorporated into the Biology, Chemistry and Geology Department undergraduate curricula: 1) addition of a new, team-taught, interdisciplinary and innovative electron microscopy course with a student research component focusing of technique in microstructure, 2) enhanced hands-on experience for students in upper level laboratories in each department, 3) opportunity for all students in introductory science majors courses to gain first-hand operation of the SEM, 4) use of the SEM in exercises for students in introductory non-science majors laboratories in an effort to instill greater interest in and understanding of science, and 5) ability to use the SEM for undergraduate research in each department. Students will acquire knowledge in data analysis, instrumental "know-how," and state-of-the-art training needed to enter the job market as competitive, productive scientists.