Using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), a critical point dryer and a sputter coater, the College is bringing to its Biology curriculum a new upper-division course on the Principles and Methods of Scanning Electron Microscopy. Students enrolling in this course gain enhanced understanding of the methods of scientific investigation, greater ability to interpret biological structure, and improved technical skills. An important additional benefit of the facility is the increased opportunity for student research it affords. A substantial fraction of the Department's graduating group of 15 majors annually will have done independent work in ultrastructure. Pre-service Biology teachers, plus upperclassmen from chemistry, geology and physics, also will have access to the SEM and ancillary specimen preparation equipment. Topics include election optics (theory, lenses, resolution), SEM design and operation, specimen preparative techniques (fixation, dehydration, coating), interpretation of images (measurement and shrinkage), surface labelling, elemental analysis, SEM applications to a wide range of organisms and questions, and laboratory safety. The SEM capability is having a valuable secondary impact on the Department's work in Developmental Biology, Plant Anatomy, Systemmatic Botany and Entomology, among others. Since SEM preparation does not require time-consuming thin sectioning, it is superior to transmission electromicroscopy in this wide variety of undergraduate applications.
