An automated X-ray diffractometer will be used to improve the curriculum of the Geology Department at Vassar College. The X-ray equipment will be used to upgrade courses in Mineralogy, Optical & X-ray Mineralogy, Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology, and Structural Geology. In addition it will be used for Senior Thesis research projects and for summer research as part of the Vassar College Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI). The X-ray diffractometer will be used for identification of unknown minerals in mineralogy, and for careful investigation of structural and compositional variations of minerals in Optical and X-ray Mineralogy. It will be used for phase identification of fine grained metamorphic rock in Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, and for studying fabric development in Structural Geology. The college will match the award with an equal amount of funds.
