SDSM&T-MUS&T REU Site Collaboration

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology, Rapid City SD

Investigators

Abstract

0244189 Winter This award provides support to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for a three-year national and international Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site in collaboration with the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUS&T) for research in advanced materials and biochemical engineering. The goals of the REU site are to (1) provide ten undergraduates of chemical engineering or allied fields with a unique research opportunity; (2) provide American Indians, women, and other under-represented groups a working knowledge of research in chemical engineering as a career path; (3) provide an opportunity to gain research experience in an international setting; (4) enhance students' critical thinking and communication skills (including written, oral, listening, and audio/visual presentation skills); (5) increase the students' interest in graduate studies with a target of 30% of participants pursuing graduate degrees; (6) introduce students to the 'beyond the classroom' experience in a research setting; and (7) enhance the students' ability to think independently. At least 30% of the students will be recruited from Tribal, four-year, and community colleges and universities from the four surrounding states of Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming, where research opportunities historically have been lacking.