University of Wisconsin Platteville - Pioneer Yearbook (Platteville, WI)

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University purchases electron microscope by Nancy Peters As freshmen in General Biology we all looked at typical cells under a micro- scope with a magnification of 100 times. Imagine increasing this by 1,000 times, or even 10,000 times. Platteville has recently acquired the equipment that will make these mag- nifications possible. The equipment consists of an electron microscope and accessory apparatus necessary for it to work. The microscope is ca- pable of magnifying up to 100,000 times the original size with a resolu- tion of 4.7 Angstroms. One Angstrom is a unit of measurement equal to the size of one hydrogen atom or 00000000001 meter. Observing such detail can lead to a fuller under- standing of the object being viewed. An electron microscope is a very deli- cate and precise instrument. This mi- croscope is very refined and complex. Just as the name suggests, electrons are used in the microscope. Electrons are emitted from a source and direct- ed to the specimen by special magne- - tized lenses. The lenses focus the electrons to a specific area of the specimen. A special screen is used to convert the electron wavelength into the visible light spectrum that the hu- man eye can perceive. The difference in the shading of the image is due to the density of the substance the elec- tron strikes. Pictures taken of the im- age may be used for study. Quite a bit of special and accessory equipment is necessary to obtain and maintain peak performance of the mi- croscope. Pumps are continually run- ning to keep the unit in a complete vacuum. Another piece of equipment keeps distilled water flowing through the instrument to both cool and cleanse it. The specimens for examination under the microscope must be prepared with special techniques and equip- ment. Because electrons must pene- trate the specimen, extremely thin sections must be made of the speci- men after it has been prepared. The sections are 400-500 Angstroms thick and are cut on a microtone us- ing finely sharpened diamond or glass knives. Metallic stains must also be used because of the use of electrons. Depending on the nature of the speci- men, various other techniques may be used. All of this equipment is housed in a specially designed complex in Boebel Hall. The complex includes rooms that house the auxiliary equipment and the microscope which is eight feet high with a six foot by six foot base. Also included is a complete darkroom for development and print- ing of electron micrographs tpictures taken of specimens under the micro- scopey The entire complex is tem- perature and humidity controlled to help assure precise conditions for the microscope. The price of all this equipment is sub- stantial. The microscope itself costs $40,000; the additional accessories add another $15,000 plus to this to- tal. The biology department is not the only department which will utilize the instru- ment. The chemistry, physics, and geo-science departments of the Col- lege of Arts and Sciences, and the Col- lege of Agriculture are planning pro- jects for which the electron micro- scope can be used. Dr. Marilyn Tufte, of the biology de- partment, is in charge of the micro- scope complex. She was chosen be- cause of her extensive work in electron microscopy during her graduate stud- ies. Dr. Tufte hopes to have a work- shop or training session scheduled for students and faculty next fall. A course will eventually be developed teaching the basic principles and techniques of the microscope and a l'hands on poli- cy will be encouraged. This is consid- ered to be a very uncommon practice at undergraduate level. Dr. Tufte believes that an undergrad- uate curriculum should include stu- dents use and participation with this kind of equipment. She feels this is an important factor in developing and in- creasing future competence of stu- dents in various scientific disciplines. UW-Platteville should feel very fortu- nate to have such a complete and up- to-date facility of this kind available for student use. It will provide unique edu- cational opportunities and open new dimensions to experiences in biology. FEATURES 27

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26 FEATURES PLATT MAP indicates variety of statistics by Susan Polebitski As I entered Main 118, I anticipated seeing some small graphs containing some basic information on the univer- sity, which had been titled the PLATT MAP. Turning to look at the wall, I be- came awed by the actual size of the chart. Production Level Audit Through The Master Academic Profile tPLATT MAPt is a culmination of 150 interrelated nu- merical facts which describe the Uni- versity of Wisconsin-Plattevllle. The chart encompasses an area the size of two blackboards and contains statis- tics on faculty, majors, curriculum, programs offered, students with a ma- jor. and program costs. The facts are broken down into both college and de- partmental levels. Initially proposed by an ad hoc com- mittee on academic planning, the map was formulated to help each academic department learn more about them- selves. It provides a mirror image of each department, and illustrates where each department stands in com- parison to all the areas represented. So far, the Map has been used mainly by the Academic Planning Committee for formulation of future programs. It is hoped that once department members understand the interrelationships of the chart, they will use it to make their areas more productive. Facts for the Platt Map were gathered from U.W.-Platteville files and central communications in Madison. Statistics for .the past three years are listed and then averaged to provide an overall view. One problem is the fact that since this chart is so current, new facts must be compiled yearly to keep the map updated. This requires continual re- search and planning; currently Neil Wirth is the full-time staff member re- sponsible for the organization of the map. According to Wirth, the overall cost of the product is unestimitable because of the man hours ... computer hours combination. Other schools have used charts similar to this and found suc- cess with the program. Although the idea is basically a management tool, it will be used to increase productivity rather than to eliminate problem areas. Center encourages llittle people' by Cheri Dray If you have ever been in the vicinity of Garner Hall's basement, you have probably heard the sounds of chil- dren at play or seen the Hlittle peo- ple who frequent the Day Care Center. The Day Care Center is a student-run, state-regulated facility which is available to children of the students, the faculty and the staff of the university. Peggy Vanderloop, an elementary education major with a minor in early childhood develop- ment, is the director of the Day Care Center. Her staff consists of 21 work-study students or Hteachers as the kids call them. The Center is run on a Hdrop-in ba- sis, that is, the children come and go at all times during the day. Snacks are provided twice a day and a hot lunch program is also avail- able. The Day Care Center is not merely a llbabysitting service. It offers the children valuable learning exper- iences through a variety of planned activities. One such activity this year was a program, developed by Peggy Vanderloop and Sharon Shutz, which focused on emotions. It was designed to help the children learn about feelings. The program format was expanded to include learning about colors, shapes, and parts of the body. Outdoor activities, art pro- jects of all kinds, and musical sing- alongs are also incorporated into the various daily schedules. During the Christmas season, WSUP-TV 5, taped a segment with the children which was used during the Badger Camp Telethon. The Day Care Center is a pleasant experience for the children who go there. They are not merely biding time while their parents are away, but are learning and growing as indi- viduals.

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:9, The construction of the mall did present some problems for the students - one was I the mud caused by the rain last fall. Another W K was the equipment used on the projects; It students had to dodge air hammers spewing asphalt, and cement trucks blocking normal- ly travelled routes. I A , t; '1 til At the present time, there are no plans for W N further expansion of the pedestrian mall. The mall has connected the classrooms and W El? administration buildings with a network of Xx sidewalks creatingawalking campus out ofa good deal of U.W. e Platteville. 28 FEATU RES 1 1. WVfWI-WJ 'th 'M wo-