An Independent Study is a course for which credit is earned through individual study under the supervision of an instructor. Independent Study may be taken for credit inside or outside of the student’s major subject or in an interdisciplinary mode. Some major programs require an Independent Study component. Each Arts and Science program has a limit on the number of Independent Study courses that may be completed for credit. Please refer to the appropriate entry later in this section and Academic Regulations, Exceeding Course Limits. Independent Study numbers 1990, 2990, 3990 and 4990 indicate the level of advancement.
Independent Study courses may take a variety of forms including library research, laboratory research projects or field study. Since Independent Study is intended to expand a student's program beyond the limits of the regular curriculum, it may not be used to duplicate course offerings.
Admission to Independent Study is achieved through consent of the instructor, who agrees to guide the study, and by approval of the department and the Dean. Enrolment may be for a regular term or during a summer session. Credit for Independent Study is at the discretion of the department, upon recommendation of the instructor. Grades are due at the end of the term of registration, as for regular courses. For further information, students should consult the department or faculty member under whom they wish to pursue an Independent Study.