Facilities & Equipment
Geosciences Department

Students work with cutting-edge analytical instruments for mineral and geochemical analysis, including:

• Bruker S8 Tiger XRF Spectrometer – For chemical composition analysis.
• Rigaku MiniFlex600 X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) – For identifying crystalline structures.
• JEOL Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) – Shared with the Physics & Engineering Department, this instrument provides high-resolution imaging and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

Our field laboratory is equipped with advanced tools for preparing and analyzing collected samples. These resources ensure students gain practical experience working with industry-standard equipment. Key machinery includes:

• Hillquist Thin Section Machine – For detailed microscopic analysis of rock samples.
• Bico Rock Crusher and Essa LMI-P Pulverizer – For sample preparation and material testing.
• Chemplex SpectroMill-II – Used for fine grinding and sample homogenization.
• Katanax Autofluxer K1 Prime – For creating glass beads used in geochemical analysis.

Equipped with the tools needed for field research, students engage in projects using:

• Garmin GPSMAP 64s for navigation.
• Humminbird Helix 8 CHIRP MEGA SI+ Sonar for hydrographic surveys.
• Brunton Transits

Our department offers a suite of modern tools for mapping and surveying, essential for field-based geology research and GIS applications:

• Numerous computer labs equipped with ArcGIS Pro and qGIS, including 3 high-powered workstations dedicated to GIS student research
• Four survey-grade, Real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS receivers
• Two surveying and mapping Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs, AKA ‘drones’)
• Two Precision laser rangefinders
• Multiple rod-and-level surveying sets

To support advanced research and learning, students have access to unique geologic apparatus, including:

• Analog Structural Deformation Rigs – For studying fault movements and tectonic processes.
• Stream Table – Used for modeling sediment transport and river dynamics in real time.