Independent Study: Directed Study

The course Independent Study will foster the development of independent study and research skills such as reading and critiquing the scientific literature, formulating scientific questions, and integrating knowledge into a coherent synthesis. Students will undertake a self-directed program of reading and synthesis of ideas.  This course option must be conducted under the guidance of an OIST faculty member acquainted with such work, and will follow common guidelines to ensure academic standards are maintained.  Students should, in consultation with the faculty member, prepare a plan of the study, carry out the appropriate reading and tasks, and then describe the results of their study in a substantial report or essay.   This course may be taken in any one term, and should be completed within the period of that term.  The due date for all work will be at the end of the current term.

Student and tutor should agree on the extent of supervision provided, such as timing and format of face-to-face meetings, progress checks, and so on, and the specific assessment tasks for evaluation.  This should be detailed in the proposal, and the student and faculty should commit to this undertaking.   Proposed Independent Studies require approval by Curriculum and Examinations Committee.

This course may be taken multiple times for additional credit, using new material.