THE UST-MONGOLIA PROJECT: AN INTERNATIONAL FIELD-BASED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

During summer 2002, three undergraduates and one professor from the University of St. Thomas joined a student and professor from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences for a 3-week field season in the Gobi Desert. The scientific objective was to collect structural and geochronologic data within Paleozoic units to better constrain the development and deformation of Central Asia. In the field, two students had their own mapping area and collected structural data. Another student worked with existing small-scale maps and collected samples for U-Pb dating. The faculty worked closely with the students, planning, mapping and collecting data.

To prepare for the field season, the students spent a semester reading background literature, planning logistics, and successfully applying for student research scholarships. After fieldwork, the students analyzed their data and processed samples. This work will continue throughout the year and culminate in student poster presentations at conferences and co-authored papers.

The group encountered many challenges, including balancing limited time between educational and scientific goals, working with two languages, and finding the appropriate mix of student autonomy and faculty involvement. These challenges were addressed successfully, and were a key part of the learning experience. The students also benefited from using their previous coursework in practical applications, participating in a geologic study in a remote area of the world with confidence due to their advisor’s previous experience in Mongolia, working closely with professional geologists and observing their enthusiasm for their work, and making pertinent contributions to the work currently underway in Mongolia.