Discovery

The Discovery Living & Learning Community (LLC) gives students, from all majors, the opportunity to engage in faculty-mentored research projects that solve problems, generate new knowledge and create new ways of looking at the world.In a unique partnership with the UTK Seed Library, students will participate in a research methods course during the fall semester, and a faculty led group research project during the spring semester. The UTK Seed Library will provide opportunities for group research experiences in all disciplines.  Additionally, students will participate in undergraduate research seminars on topics of interest to new researchers. This is a great opportunity to learn the skills of research in a supportive community of peers. Undergraduate research opens doors to graduate school, exciting careers, and success in life. Find your passion. Join Discovery!

Why discovery? Students will gain:

• Exposure to all aspects of the research process (finding, synthesizing, and creating knowledge) through a FYS 101 research focused course.
• Interaction with faculty who conduct research in a variety of disciplines
• Social, community-service, educational and multi-cultural programs
• Academic support through in-house study groups for all major introductory science and math classes
• Research assistance from librarians in the residence halls and Libraries
• Participation in the Freshman Conference, a specialized poster presentation of the research conducted by freshmen held in the LLC

Community Requirements:

First Year residents in the Discovery LLC will be required to:

• Enroll in a designated fall FYS101 course and a designated spring FYS129 course.
• Engage in a faculty-sponsored group research project in conjunction with the UTK Seed Library, for at least 6 hours per week during the spring semester.
• Attend 6 of 12 undergraduate research seminars during the fall and spring semesters
• Attend 2 LLC luncheons per semester
• Attend 4 LLC social events per semester

Upper Division residents in the Discovery LLC will be required to:

• Serve as a project mentor for freshmen teams working on a UTK Seed Library research project with a related independent project or find a faculty-sponsored research project in your discipline and participate for at least 10 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters (optional academic credit)
• Attend 6 of 12 undergraduate research seminars during the fall and spring semesters
• Attend 2 LLC luncheons per semester
• Attend 4 LLC social events per semester