Integration of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer into the Undergraduate Concrete and Geology Curricula and Research Programs

地质学(42)该项目通过购置和教学使用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(电感耦合等离子体质谱)实验室设备，支持地球科学、工程技术和工业研究系加强学生学习。电感耦合等离子体质谱用于测量矿物、岩石、土壤、混凝土和水泥中百万分之几和十亿分之几的化学元素浓度。该项目的目标是在其他以本科生为主的机构中采用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪的模范多学科应用，侧重于新兴的混凝土技术领域，以及地质学课程和研究计划。课程对这两个系的六门课程以及375个具体工业管理和地质学专业的课程产生了影响，从而增加了学生的学习、新的实验室体验、新的学生研究机会，并为专业和研究生院的职业生涯做了更全面的准备。正在通过课程前和课程后对受影响课程的知识、对地球化学仪器的态度和功效信念以及在受影响学科从事更多研究、研究生学习和/或职业生涯的意向的衡量，来评估国际比较方案-MS的教育影响。混凝土和地质专业探索应用电感耦合等离子体质谱化学分析解决问题的机会增加，这是对美国国家科学基金会资助的X射线荧光光谱仪(美国国家科学基金会奖9950820)所提供的机会的补充。电感耦合等离子体质谱实验室设施也在提高其他系本科生的研究能力，因为来自其他STEM学科的学生能够在他们的本科生研究工作中使用该仪器。这一项目的一个特别广泛的影响在于与积极的国家科学基金会奖的合作努力，旨在向有兴趣采用具体技术课程的大学传授知识(国家科学基金会奖0438679)，并吸引代表人数不足的群体的学生进入地球科学系和工程技术与工业研究系。

Geology (42) This project is supporting enhanced student learning in the departments of Geosciences and Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies through the acquisition and instructional use of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) laboratory facility. ICP-MS is used to measure concentrations of chemical elements in minerals, rocks, soils, concrete, and cement at the parts per million and parts per billion levels. The project goal is the adaptation of exemplary multi-disciplinary uses of ICP-MS at other predominantly undergraduate institutions, focused on the emerging field of concrete technology, and on geology curricula and research programs. Curricular impacts on six courses in the two departments, and on 375 concrete industry management and geology majors are resulting in increased student learning, new laboratory experiences, new student research opportunities, and more comprehensive preparation for professional and graduate school careers. The educational impact of the ICP-MS is being assessed by pre- and post-course measures of knowledge of the affected curricula, attitudes and efficacy beliefs about geochemical instrumentation, and intentions to engage in additional research, graduate study and/or professional careers in the affected disciplines. The enhanced opportunities for concrete and geology majors to explore applications of ICP-MS chemical analysis to problem solving are complementing those already afforded by a NSF-funded X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (NSF Award 9950820). The ICP-MS laboratory facility also is increasing research capabilities for undergraduate majors in other departments, as students from other STEM disciplines are able to use the instrument in their undergraduate research endeavors. A particular Broader Impact of this project lays in cooperative efforts with an active NSF award aimed knowledge transfer to universities interested in adopting the concrete technology curriculum (NSF Award 0438679), and attracting students in under-represented groups to both the Departments of Geosciences and Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies.