THE IMPORTANCE OF POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY AND OPTICAL MINERALOGY IN THE UNDERGRADUATE GEOLOGY CURRICULUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

Polarized light microscopy and optical mineralogy have maintained their importance in the geology curriculum at the University of Ottawa, despite a trend in many Earth science and geology departments worldwide to reduce the importance of these analytical methods.

The decision to keep an emphasis on polarized light microscopy and optical mineralogy at the University of Ottawa was taken collectively in 2000 by the academic staff who recognized the polarized light microscope as a key part of the undergraduate program because it enables students to identify minerals, rocks, and microfossils and interpret textures and fabrics in rocks. This decision required effort on the part of the department because it meant replacing an aging fleet of student microscopes that were in a serious state of disrepair and which could no longer sustain the teaching needs of the program.

With the objective of replacing its fleet of microscopes at a time of serious funding cutbacks, the department embarked on an unparalleled fund-raising campaign. Alumni and staff responded immediately and supported the campaign with enthusiasm. By 2004, a fleet of 19 research-grade binocular Olympus BX41 microscopes were purchased. All instruments were fitted with epi-illuminators. A BX51 microscope with a video camera was also purchased for the instructor to project live images to the class. The new instruments were installed in a renovated lab with custom-made cubicles and available low-level lighting for ore microscopy classes. The lab also includes a photomicrography set-up, a library of popular mineralogy, petrology and petrography textbooks, and a collection of more than 300 reference thin sections of minerals.

Optical mineralogy is currently taught in the second year of a 4-year program. The emphasis is placed on the quantitative determination of the optical properties of minerals in thin section and the interpretation of interference figures. Students also conduct a systematic survey of the common rock-forming minerals in thin section. One lecture on ore and opaque minerals is included. The optical mineralogy course is a prerequisite for the majority of geology courses in the third year of the program, including petrology, sedimentology and mineral deposits classes, which all make extensive use of the polarized light microscope.