Oak Ridge Science Semester
Overview: Your independent research project is the focal point of your ORNL experience. Although the details of your research project will be unique for each of you, the overall objectives of the ORSS research component are to:
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Provide students with an opportunity to perform intensive hands-on research in a national laboratory setting.
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Provide students with a forum to explore their interests in graduate studies and careers in science, mathematics or computer science.
Many of you have already participated in independent research at your home institutions and/or at major universities and industry through internship programs or summer employment. Consequently you know what to expect. However, unlike colleges and universities, ORNL is focused solely on research and there are little or no educational support facilities. Please contact the Resident Faculty Director if you have specific educational needs that aren't met by the ORNL facilities.
In order to ensure success, it is important that you communicate with your research mentor. Many of you are used to working directly with the head of the lab. This might not be the case at ORNL. You may find yourself working with a postdoctoral research associate or senior research technician. This is common in big research laboratories and should in no way diminish your experience. The important thing is that you have the guidance and direction you need. If you find yourself without direction or with nothing to do, talk to your research mentor. If your mentor is not receptive and/or your situation does not change, contact the GLCA/ACM Resident Faculty Director immediately. He will serve as a liaison to facilitate communication between you and your mentor.
Be sure and ask your research mentor what her/his expectations for you are. You should clearly establish:
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What hours are you expected to be in the lab? (Be sure to tell your mentor when you will be in class and that you have seminar on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00 PM. It is a good idea to write this information down and give it to your supervisor. It is also a good idea to be willing to start earlier on Wednesdays and on class days.) You are expected to be in the lab at least forty hours a week in lab. Your research mentor will expect this as a minimum.
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What kind of records are you expected to keep? Keep thorough and organized notes. Be advised that your laboratory notebook is government property and must stay at ORNL when you leave at the end of the semester.
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What are your weekly goals? Overall goals? If you do not know what you are doing, or why, ask someone.
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What criteria will be used to assess your performance and assign your research grade? You may be surprised to learn that what you thought was "A" work is "B" or "C" work to your research mentor. Do not assume that you know what "A" work is. If you think that your mentor's expectations are unrealistic, it is a good idea to talk to the Resident Director.
Your research grade for the semester will be assigned by the Resident Faculty Director and is based on the evaluation and recommendation of your ORNL research mentor, as well as the quality of your poster and research paper.
Your laboratory group has invested time, effort and financial resources to have you participate in their research. Consequently, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner while in the research laboratory. This involves arriving on time, spending at least eight hours/day in the lab, following all safety rules, keeping good laboratory records, reading the primary literature, conducting your experiments/projects as directed, working hard, and staying focused and committed to your work. You should use laboratory time for research purposes only. This means that you should not use research time to e-mail friends, do homework or study for the GRE's. These activities should be restricted to evening and weekend hours, or your lunch-time.
Important Dates: Remind your supervisor/mentor (and yourself) of the following dates:
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Sunday, August 23, 2009 Must be settled in your Oak Ridge Apartment by 5:00 p.m.
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Sunday Evening, August 23, 2009 Orientation Meeting with Resident Faculty, ORISE Administrators, and Housing Administrator. Meeting place tbd at 5:30 p.m.
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Student two minute presentations (at the weekly seminar) (Date TBA) on the general objective(s)/scope of your research project. An overhead transparency containing a title and brief summary is required at the time of your presentation.
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Student Research Symposium. (date TBA) Each student is required to give a 12-15 minute oral presentation of the overall objectives of their research project, and what they have accomplished to date. It is strongly suggested that you use PowerPoint to prepare you presentation. If you are unfamiliar with PowerPoint someone from your research group should be willing to teach you. Chances are that your roommate or lab member will know how to use it, too. You can use overheads, slides or PowerPoint to give your presentation. You are required to attend all of the talks.
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An abstract and brief vita are due (electronically--details to be given later) (Date TBA). You must also have prepared an ORNL-93 "Approval slip" signed by your research adviser. Your abstract/bio/and picture will be included in the Abstract booklet for the Student Research Symposium. You will receive information on how to prepare an abstract at a seminar presentation/discussion (date TBA). Your abstract/vita must be proofed, edited and approved by your adviser so that it is camera ready.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009 Student Research Poster Session. Each student will prepare a poster of the work they accomplished during the semester. More specific information will be provided at a seminar presentation/discussion on a date tbd. Make sure you get an early start and talk to your research mentor/supervisor about what they will and will not provide for the preparation of your poster.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009 Research paper due at Student Research Poster Session. A 5-10 page (of text, does not include title page, figures, references) research paper (in paper and electronic form) is due at the time of the Research Symposium. The ORNL Document Clearance Form (Form UCN-10369) is also due at this time. Ask your research mentor/supervisor which style they would like you to use to prepare your paper. It is a good idea to start writing your paper early (i.e. 3-4 weeks in advance) so that you have plenty of time to get feedback from your lab members. It is imperative that you have someone proofread and edit your paper before you turn it in. Starting your paper well in advance will help you to plan your research talk and to see obvious holes in your research. Your introduction section can be written around the time of your poster presentation. You will receive guidelines on a proper paper format in advance.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009 Program Final Dinner. Location and time TBA.