Publisher's Synopsis
A major focus in petrology and mineralogy courses is studying and analysing thin sections of rocks and minerals. Unfortunately, the necessary tools are expensive and scarce in most geology departments. Students need to share the few petrographic and electron microscopes that are available and, as a result, gain much less experience than is necessary. PetroGlyph was designed as an answer to this problem. It is a virtual microscope that provides over 30 virtual thin sections of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Through animations and integrated tools, students are able to simulate hands–on experience that they will utilise for the rest of their academic and professional careers.
Format: Dual format CD–ROM, accompanying users manual.
Content and organisation: Over 30 virtual thin sections of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Tool bars for manipulation of sections to simulate the use of electron and petrographic microscopes, self–guided tutorials, self–graded quizzes.
Past History: Eric Christiansen developed this CD–ROM for his own course and has been using it and perfecting it at BYU for over 2 years. For the past year, he′s been developing the completed project through a 100 K grant from the NSF. No development will be necessary on BSI′s part, all we′ll need to do is burn the CDs, package it, market it and sell it.
Support: Christiansen will help promote the CD with us and provide tech support to users.
Marketing: Very little comping is necessary as Christiansen has already developed an on–line demos of the CD–ROM that outlines all of the features and tools for one thin section.
