9452167 Wolf An instrumented laboratory is being developed for teaching geophysical field methodologies that are used in environmental investigations to undergraduate students. The students benefitting the most are those with majors in geology, geological engineering, earth sciences, and environmental sciences who are enrolled in the Auburn University Department of Geology's classes in applied geophysics and field methods, the Department of Civil Engineering's classes in subsurface hydrology and measurements, and laboratories associated with these and other classes within Geology and Engineering. The equipment is being used in a variety of local settings to demonstrate techniques of data acquisition and experiment design that are useful in environmental assessments. Four pieces of geophysical equipment, all used in environmental analyses, are being integrated into the curriculum: 1) a 24-channel Digital Instantaneous Floating Point (DIFP) Signal Stacking Seismograph; 2) a DC Resistivity unit; 3) a Proton Magnetometer, and 4) an Electromagnetic Ground Conductivity Meter (EM-3 1). The equipment directly enriches the undergraduate applied geophysics class and, at the same time, contributes to three interdisciplinary undergraduate programs by giving students in these majors first-hand experience in characterizing environmental conditions with geophysical tools. A review of current institutional programs shows a lack, nationally, of educational laboratory experiences in geophysics as applied to environmental investigations, despite changes in career opportunities for graduates of earth science programs. Auburn is addressing this deficiency by training students for environmental careers and preparing them to lead research in new approaches for the future.
