HR: 0830h
AN: ED11B-0104    [PDF]
TI: Promoting undergraduate education through involvement in research in the Geosciences
AU: * Isiorho, S A
EM: isiorho@ipfw.edu
AF: Dept. of Geosciences, Indiana University - Purdue University Ft. Wayne (IPFW), 2101 E.Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805 United States
AB: The push to involve undergraduates in research is gaining ground in most universities and colleges. Within our geosciences department at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), undergraduate education is promoted as the faculty in the department involves students in their research projects. All faculty members involve students in their research works. Dating of monazite using energy dispersive x-ray, size-frequency distributions of leopard frogs, structural organization and growth of Silurian chain corals, seepage meters, and wetlands are some of the recent students' projects facilitated by our faculty. Students are involved in either the professor's research project or projects are specifically designed for students using local sites and materials. Physical geology, environmental geology, environmental conservation, wetlands and hydrogeology are some of the courses that I teach. One common thread in all the courses that I explore is water. I involve my upper-level students to observe some aspect of water as it relates to the environment. My students' projects involve the use of local materials (wetlands, sand dunes, river, wells) or sites within a thirty minute drive off campus. Most students appreciate the chance to be involved in research projects. Students have presented the results of their projects at local, regional and national conferences. Also, some students' works have resulted in peer review articles. Involving undergraduates in research projects introduces them to scientific methods, real world learning, being published, and, it also provides the instructor with materials for effective teaching and getting published too. Sample student projects would be presented.
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1890 Wetlands
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting