Proposal

Narrative

Microscopes are the backbone for studying Biology. Students and researchers use microscopes to learn and try to understand all that is not visible to the naked eye: cells as fundamental and functional units of life, animal, human and plant tissue preparations, bacteria, protozoa, gametes and early stages of embryonic development. When using a microscope, the student not only learns about the course’s content but also, acquires the basic skill of using the microscope. This skill can be useful for other courses and for future job applications and/or research opportunities in areas such as cancer research, neuroscience, pathology, disease diagnosis, botany, microbiology, zoology, ecology, assisted human reproduction, forensics, geology and in industrial applications such as quality control and manufacturing (microchips). Learning how to properly use the microscope and understand what is being observed through it, is the most challenging aspect the students face across all lab courses offered. What makes it more challenging is the use of old, obsolete microscopes. The microscopes the students use at the Davie campus lab classrooms are at least 20 years old. The number of functioning microscopes has reduced dramatically and spare parts are not easy to find for them. The remaining microscopes produce substandard images. Microscopes such as the Nikon Ei Eclipse are a proposed solution to our problem. This model is designed for the classroom providing durability, ease of use and student support. By providing new and modern microscopes we are not only providing excellence in learning but also the opportunity to use more modern, up to date equipment. The total cost of the purchase of 24 microscopes including shipping costs and a onetime set up fee is $31,336.80 It is an investment that goes a long way impacting at least 480 students annually in Davie Biology lab classrooms.

Facilities

None

Hardware Requirements

None

Software Requirements

None

Personnel Costs

None

Other Costs

None

Timeline

If the Tech fee is awarded we just have to order the microscopes when the funds become available. Delivery of the microscopes would take about 6 weeks once the order is placed.

Sustainability

The Department of Biological Sciences would provide lab fee funds to do regular maintenance/in depth cleaning of the units.

Resource Matching

None

Implementing Organization

Department of Biological Sciences, Davie Campus