The Department of Earth Sciences is making scanning electron microscopy an integral part of the undergraduate science education in all laboratory science departments at Pacific Lutheran University. The Department has purchased a JEOL Model JSM-T330A Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with a KEVEX Delta Class Series II Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) for element analysis and a Backscattered Electron Detector to sharpen images. This instrument is being by four departments: Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics/Engineering. It is used for classroom and laboratory demonstration in lower division Oceanography and biology classes, and is an integral part of upper division classes and laboratories. Undergraduate students and faculty in upper division classes are using the equipment to examine fossils, surface textures and growth of mineral grains, authigenic mineral formation and alteration, biochemistry and chemical analysis (including polymers and biopolymers), cell biology, histology, developmental biology, and physical and thermal material stress analysis. Student and faculty independent research projects are also greatly enhanced with the availability of an SEM.
