Research Internship (8 credits)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory. Its capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling researchers to explore fundamental science challenges and accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace. ORNL supports DOE’s national missions of scientific discovery, clean energy, and security.

Students conduct research on a specific project under the guidance of a staff scientist at ORNL, with access to world-leading technologies. You will be expected to contribute significantly to the design and methodological approach of your research. You will also become a member of the vibrant science community at ORNL and will have the opportunity to present your research data for discussion and commentary. Students receive 8 credits for their participation in the internship.

You can access information about specific research programs and the people who conduct them across the ORNL Research Divisions here. You will be asked to indicate the research areas you are interested in as part of the ACM ORSS application form. This video from ACM’s ORSS virtual session offers guidance on building a strong application for the program.

Students participating in the ACM ORSS receive a stipend for their internship. The stipend in 2022-2023 was scheduled to be $10,400, subject to available funding. This stipend is paid over regular intervals throughout the semester. The stipend is considered income and is taxable.

Interdisciplinary Seminar (4 credits)

Students meet weekly for an interdisciplinary seminar series led by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), including topics on scientific communication, career exploration, graduate school preparation, and more. The seminar is intended to broaden students’ perspectives and expose them to the full range of research conducted by staff scientists at ORNL through field trips, lectures, interactive discussions, and tours. Finally, the seminar serves as a forum for students to showcase their own research data for discussion with their peers and colleagues at a poster session at the end of the semester.

Advanced Course (4 credits)

Students can take an advanced course taught by the Visiting Faculty Director on the Pellissippi State Community College campus. Occasionally, students can pursue an independent study under the supervision of the Visiting Faculty Director.

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

All ACM colleges are grounded in the liberal arts tradition, and this educational commitment extends to ACM off-campus study programs. By participating in one of these programs, you’ll benefit from studying in a new location that combines experiential, place-based learning with academic purpose similar to your home campus as you pursue the program’s learning goals.

In each program you’ll enjoy small class sizes, allowing you to work closely with faculty and other students. You’ll also live in housing and participate in activities that provide opportunities to connect course-based learning with the local community and culture.

You’ll find that the learning objectives and outcomes of each ACM program reflect these liberal arts educational values.

The Oak Ridge Science Semester program is designed to offer you the unique undergraduate experience of immersing yourself in research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the nation’s largest multi-program research laboratory. With a mentored internship, you will have the opportunity to pursue scientific questions in a laboratory setting as well as the opportunity to engage across scientific disciplines through the seminar component of the program. This will allow you to engage with the ORNL community on a wider level.

Program learning objectives:

• Understand the research process and contribute significantly to the design and methodological approach of your project; work closely with a research mentor to explore fundamental science challenges.
• Enhance your skills as a member of a research community, interacting with other scientists, sharing the results of your work in a symposium, and engaging with your peers on the program.
• Develop your understanding of how your internship and specific tasks fit into a larger on-going research project and make connections throughout the national laboratory by actively participating in the seminar portion of the program.

While participating in the program, you will gain skills in conducting scientific research, extend your knowledge, and learn how the scientific method and research discovery processes fit into larger projects; you will write about and discuss your research project and findings through oral and visual presentations and written materials; and you will develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of research being conducted at this specific national laboratory.

The ACM prioritizes your well-being during your time in Tennessee. While it is your responsibility to communicate your health and safety concerns to the program faculty and staff, you will be equipped with the proper resources to ensure that you have a safe off-campus semester, allowing you to thrive in your studies and beyond. 

The following information provides an overview of some of the ACM policies and procedures for student health and safety. You will receive comprehensive information about health and safety procedures after being admitted to the program. 

Health 

Health insurance 

All ACM Oak Ridge Science Semester students are required to carry their own health insurance.  

Medications and other medical preparation 

If you take one or more prescription drugs regularly, you’ll need to speak with your physician prior to arriving in Tennessee. You can decide with your physician which pharmacy to use for your prescription(s).  

Special diets 

After your program acceptance, you will be prompted to notify the ACM if you have any dietary restrictions. The ACM will work to make appropriate accommodations for group meals. 

Safety 

The ACM is dedicated to ensuring your safety during your time off-campus while also encouraging your immersion in Oak Ridge/Knoxville. ACM program staff are acquainted with the area and will advise you on safety. The program’s comprehensive orientation provides practical information and advice for personal safety while living in Knoxville. 

To help you budget for additional out-of-pocket expenses in Knoxville/Oak Ridge, see an estimate of what ACM students have spent in the past.

Sample Budget for a Semester in Knoxville/Oak Ridge

¹ Depending on how often you cook in your apartment or purchase meals out.

² Includes personal travel and entertainment. See below for examples of common personal expenses.

---

Cost of Living in Knoxville/Oak Ridge

The following chart includes cost estimates for common personal purchases in Knoxville/Oak Ridge.

This page was updated on May 14, 2021.