The Independent Project Option

Students may choose to pursue independent research projects, which may be based on earlier research experiences, another project, or other passions and interests.

Independent research commonly includes an honors thesis, research through student abroad, internships, or community service. There are many ways to approach the project. As a first step, we recommend students find a faculty sponsor and mentor to meet with regularly. Below are some tips to help students succeed with an independent study project.

Find a faculty mentor

You are most likely to be successful in getting sponsorship for an independent project if you have a strong mentoring relationship with the professor already.

Find professors with similar interests

You will have the most flexibility if you can find several professors whose work you are interested in. It is also important to note that not all instructors can sponsor independent study projects. You can figure out if the instructor is a faculty or a lecturer by looking at his or her title in the Campus Directory.

Contact the professor(s)

Contact the professor(s) and ask for an appointment or go to office hours. You can go to office hours, send an email, or talk to the professor after a class or a talk.

Meet the professor and discuss your project

Meet with the professor and explain your project goals and timeline. Ask the professor what his or her opinion of the project is, if it is feasible, what improvements could be made, etc. Ask what readings or primary sources he or she would suggest you read. Professors have many commitments, and it is best for you to find a sponsor who has the time to work with you.

Stay in touch with your faculty sponsor

If you find a mentor make sure to let them know how your work is going. Consider regular meetings or emails. Bring up any problems immediately so you stay on track.

Define goals and objectives

Identify a knowledge gap and once you have your research question established, it’s important to set clear goals for your project. Are you aiming for publication, developing a product, or participating in a competition? Defining your goals will help you outline your objectives, plan your methods, and set a timeline for your work.

Determine project timeline

Write a brief overview of your project and provide a timeline. How will you accomplish your goals in the set time period? Are there milestones (such as due dates) that need to be set? Independent projects take a significant amount of time. When you are planning your project, think about what other classes and personal commitments you will have that quarter. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to find a sponsor for the summer because many professors have other time commitments.

Check out independent study projects by department

Two people in a lab examine a prosthetic device.

Arts

A student works on a laptop displaying a 3D model. On the desk are a prosthetic hand and some tools. In the background, multiple 3D printers are visible.

Baskin School of Engineering

Two students wearing white cotton gloves while examining handmade books.

Humanities

Two students in lab coats posing with a DNA model.

Sciences

Two students sitting on a bench in a classroom looking at an accounting textbook.

Social Sciences

Contact your advisor for your major to learn about the procedure.

It is a good idea to contact your major’s advisors before contacting a prospective faculty sponsor, since there may be procedural guidelines that influence your decision.

Make sure you file the forms by the deadlines and get required signatures.

Make sure to get any paperwork or links to forms that will need to be filled out. The petition for independent study can be found here. You are going to be doing a significant amount of hard work, and you want to be sure you get the credit for it. Check in with your adviser several times to confirm you are meeting the requirements.