The Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences and Education (CLASSE) funds summer research opportunities in the areas of x-ray and accelerator sciences, materials science, chemistry, and mechanical engineering for pre-selected undergraduate students from primarily undergraduate institutions and minority serving institutions.
The eight-week Summer Undergraduate Research in Science and Engineering (SUNRISE) and Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) programs are closely aligned and run from mid-June through early August.
To be eligible for this program, undergraduate students must be nominated by a CLASSE researcher and collaborating faculty member from their home institution. Under this program, students interested in a career in science, engineering, and technology are invited to participate in cutting-edge research under the advisement of their faculty mentor at (CLASSE). Women, Minorities and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering are strongly encouraged to participate in the SUNRISE and PREM programs.
Students work directly on research projects related to x-ray and accelerator technologies, working side-by-side a collaborating faculty from their home institution and a CLASSE scientist or graduate student mentor. Students conduct studies on such topics as photocathode sources, electrochemistry, measurement of accelerated electron beams, laser optics for use in the future accelerators, residual stress, fatigue and X-ray diffraction, x-ray optics and x-ray detectors. In addition to conducting research, students developed numerous technical skills, including familiarity with programming languages and techniques.
Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 program was conducted remotely. In the summer of 2021, we expect to return to research on campus, along with formal lectures, tours of research facilities, social and recreational events, and a forum at the program's end in which participants present results of their research.
Interested? Here are the next steps:
- Application information for the 2022 SUNRiSE & PREM programs will be posted at this webpage in late 2021. Students must be U.S. citizens or residents to be considered for this program.
- Check out the 2022 Summer Program Guide here
- Check out the SUNRiSE & PREM Project Archive here