We seek funding for a two-year summer research program to enhance research opportunities in the field and laboratory for geology undergraduate students from Colgate University and other colleges. Our goals are to better prepare undergraduate students for graduate education in geology and to encourage pursuit of future careers in the geosciences and related fields by involving junior and senior undergraduates in a supportive research environment. Minority students enrolled in Colgate University`s pre-college summer program and in the geology department's field- based seminar for first-year students and students from other colleges will be strongly encouraged to participate in our summer program. Research topics provide undergraduates interested in geology with tractable study problems that will make significant contributions to our understanding of the geologic history of a classic deformed continental margin. Research topics in New York and New England will focus primarily on the Taconic fold/thrust belt, Adirondack massif, and Cortlandt Complex. Additional research opportunities will be available at Colgate on topics related to aqueous geochemistry, clay mineralogy, and geomorphology and in Alaska on the paleontology and sedimentology of Paleozoic carbonates. Student participants will begin our summer geology program by attending a six-week orientation field exercise where they will learn the fundamentals of field-based research and undertake independent mapping exercises in a variety of geographical and geological contexts. For seven weeks following the field program, students will work on research projects in close partnership with geology faculty at Colgate. Students will continue their research as independent study projects or as senior Honors theses during the academic year. We will teach students how to use analytical instrumentation in geologic research and will encourage them to incorporate departmental equipment (SEM/EDS, XRF, XRD, AA, ion chromatograph, magnetometer, gravity meter, resistivity meter, and exploration seismograph) into their studies. Students will present the results of their projects in a research symposium at Colgate and (or) in coordination with faculty at regional geology meetings.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Application #
9300259
Program Officer
Michael A. Mayhew
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1993-05-15
Budget End
1995-10-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
$100,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Colgate University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Hamilton
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
13346