9452398 Brem We propose establishment of an analytical geochemistry facility in the Department of Geological Sciences to be used in required and independent-study courses. Current analytical equipment cannot be used because it requires time-intensive methodologies unusable within the constraints of laboratory courses, includes irreparable items, and cannot analyze samples for a broad range of elements or in aqueous media. Our request consists of: (1) equipment for rapid and contamination-free sample preparation and (2) an ICP spectrometer capable of analyzing a broad range of major and trace elements in different types of media. The equipment is essential for use in the required Geochemistry (GEOL 4O6), the required Senior Thesis Research (GEOL 498) and the elective Water Quality Investigations and Control (GEOL 437) courses. The equipment will greatly improve the undergraduate program and will allow us to meet the following goals: to increase students' ability to quantify geologic problems rather than relying solely on traditional qualitative and descriptive methodologies, to reinforce students' comprehension of basic scientific concepts by problem solving, to increase students comprehension of uncertainty and error present in all geochemical data and, finally, to encourage student interest in graduate education resulting from positive, research-based experiences at the undergraduate level.
