Department Labs & Equipment
The Geology Department at Macalester College occupies the majority of the first floor of Rice Hall in the Olin-Rice Science Complex. The Department houses an outstanding array of teaching and research facilities including the Keck Laboratory. Students are encouraged to use any of the equipment for class and research related projects.
Teaching and Computer Facilities
The Macalester College Geology Department boasts three exclusive teaching labs that are utilized for both introductory and upper level courses. In addition, the department shares a large lecture hall equipped with the latest multimedia support. Several small labs are also available for student/faculty research and class projects. A well-supported computer laboratory (Mark E. Andersen Computer Lab) has many recent Apple and PC workstations with the latest productivity software.
Additional facilities include high quality binocular and petrographic microscopes, rock cutting, polishing and crushing equipment, thin section preparation equipment and a digital broadband seismometer. A student lounge/library located in the department is equipped with computer access and geologic literature. The department is also fortunate to have a custom-designed Guide to Research online through the DeWitt Wallace Library.
The Henry Lepp Geology Museum is located on the first floor of the Geology Department outside of the faculty offices. It currently hosts a display of early dinosaurs Eoraptor and Herrerasaurus battling a dead rhynchosaur), the skull of Majungatholus atopus (a spectacular domed theropod from Madagascar), and a variety of other items of geologic interest. The Webers Rock Garden (situated in a courtyard immediately outside of the department) is home to numerous rock specimens that represent typical lithologies of the Upper Midwest. The Anderson Collection, donated by Mark Kazeil Anderson in memory of Geneste & William R. Anderson and William R. Anderson Jr., includes breathtaking agates and minerals.
Scheduling Instrument Time
To sign up for instrument time, email Jeff Thole with your preferred time. You can check for equipment availability on the calendars linked below.