9351213 Elbert A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) is being used in the Geology Department. This equipment is bringing modern imaging and mineral analysis capabilities to the department enabling curricular modernization in the petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and introductory courses in the major program; enhancement of a new course for non-geology, science majors; and improvement of the senior-research program. This modernization is providing students an opportunity to work with the most common analytical method used in modern petrologic and mineralogical research. Ready access to a high-powered instrument in their course work is encouraging students to pursue ideas, investigate their own hypotheses, think for themselves, and discover new principles, processes which parallel the fundamental methodology of creative science. ***y
