Warner Cribb

warner.cribb@mrsu.edu

Warner Cribb

Geosciences

Discipline specific equipment

DSB 232

N/A

N/A

Geosciences provides general education students (GEOL 1030/1031, GEOL 1040/1041) and STEM students free access to its geochemical instrumentation lab in order to learn and conduct chemical analyses of rocks, minerals, soils, and water. A basic instrument in the geochemistry lab is the X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). Approximately 250 students/yr enrolled in Geosciences general education courses use XRF data to complete in-class active learning assignments illustrating the importance of data acquisition, data management and data uncertainties to the process of scientific discovery and the evaluation of scientific theories. In addition, approximately 100 students/yr enrolled in Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry, Environmental Geology, and Geomorphology courses use XRF to learn basic principles of analytical geochemistry, and to complete course research projects. Furthermore approximately 25 undergraduate and graduate majors per year (usage records) in Geology, Chemistry, Physics, Soils, and Engineering use XRF to acquire data for undergraduate and graduate thesis research. Geosciences does not charge fees for student use the XRF spectrometer. This request is to replace the existing Oxford XRF spectrometer, installed in 2000, with a new Rigaku XRF Spectrometer (plus analysis software). The Oxford XRF frequently malfunctions due to worn parts and unregulated x-ray tube temperature. Due to the Oxford XRF age, many parts are no longer available. Current lab space is adequate to install and operate the new XRF, and so no renovation or installation costs will be incurred.