Professor Fuentes explains the theory of operation of the open path infrared gas analyzer to graduate students in his Micrometeorology course. |
Several courses taught within the Department of Environmental Sciences use the VFRF to give both graduate and undergraduate students hands-on experience with modern equipment used to study biosphere-atmosphere interactions. Students benefit by seeing the in situ application of methods and concepts taught in the classroom. Students are given the opportunity to mount and calibrate instruments on the tower. Experience is gained in interfacing instrumentation with data loggers and computers. Once this is achieved, students can view data streaming in real time. Data sets are collected and brought back to the classroom where they are analyzed and important concepts are further explored. Integrating classroom knowledge with field experience solidifies concepts for students and stimluates their interest in the subject. Interest generated in undergraduates on these field trips has produced succesful applications to pursue graduate work in our department. | 
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