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Earn academic credit while conducting individual studies: an independent study or research directed by College of Information Science faculty.
Independent Study
Enrollment in 399/499 courses is reserved for students who are working with a faculty member on an independent project generated by the student with faculty oversight. This project is guided by the student, and the appropriate benchmarks should be set with the faculty's support.
- An Independent Study is an extended exploration of a topic under supervision of a full-time College of Information Science faculty member
- Students and faculty should follow the University of Arizona guidelines for individual studies
- Credit is based off of hours worked, with 3 units representing 135 hours (45 hours per 1 unit of credit)
Undergraduate Student Requirements
- Required to have completed 12 units of College of Information Science coursework
- Honors ISTA 499H: Independent Study is available for honors credit
- You are responsible for finding a faculty member whose research is aligned with your interests
- Keep in mind that faculty members are not obligated to supervise Independent Studies
Applications are submitted using this link. Applications require the following information:
- Faculty Mentor name & university email
- Estimate hours per week of contact with faculty mentor
- Course Subject & Number and # of units for enrollment
- Project Title, learning outcomes & deliverables
- Required: Abstract of your study (& lab evaluation, if applicable): Abstracts will be uploaded as part of the final question. (There is a text box with additional information about what the abstract should include on the form page as part of the last question.)
Questions about Independent Study opportunities should be directed to Sean Kramer-Lazar.
Directed Research
Enrollment in 392/492 courses is reserved for students who are actively working with a faculty member on a research project that is led by the faculty. This includes any sort of work that contributes to the project.
- Complete individual or small group research under the guidance of a full-time College of Information Science faculty member
- Students and faculty should follow the University of Arizona guidelines for individual studies
- Credit is based on hours worked, with 3 units representing 135 hours (45 hours per 1 unit of credit)
Applications are submitted using this link. Applications require the following information:
- Faculty Mentor name & university email
- Estimate hours per week of contact with faculty mentor
- Course Subject & Number and # of units for enrollment
- Project Title, learning outcomes & deliverables
- Required: Abstract of the study (& lab evaluation, if applicable): Abstracts will be uploaded as part of the final question. (There is a text box with additional information about what the abstract should include on the form page as part of the last question.)
Questions about Directed Research opportunities should be directed to Sean Kramer-Lazar.
Undergraduate Student Resources
Undergraduates, check out these research opportunities outside the college:
- Office of Undergraduate Research
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortiums (UROC)
- Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP)
- Other U of A Research Opportunities
Apply for Independent Study
or Directed Research Credit
Have a Directed Research or Independent Study supervisor? Apply for academic credit!
You can complete the Individual Studies application online through U of A Handshake. No paper forms involved!
- Sign in to U of A Handshake to start your application
- In "Career Center" choose "Experiences" from the drop-down menu
- Select "Submit an Experience"
- Select University of Arizona College of Information Science Undergraduate Individual Study Request (INFO 492, 499)
- Select University of Arizona College of Information Science Undergraduate Individual Study Request (INFO 492, 499)
- In the form, provide the email information for your Site Supervisor (person supervising your work).
- Your supervisor must be a full-time College of Information Science faculty member.
- Your supervisor must be a full-time College of Information Science faculty member.
- You will be enrolled in the individual studies course (students cannot enroll themselves).
- College of Information Science Program Coordinator Cameron Purdie enrolls you in a course (INFO 499 or 492)
Please be aware the application for credit is not instantaneous; pay attention to application deadlines and alert your site supervisor of the need for approval. Not all requests for credit are granted.
Earn Individual Studies (Independent Study or Directed Research) Credit
- Pay U of A course tuition and check your UAccess schedule for enrollment accuracy.
- Your site supervisor will need to follow university guidelines for individual studies.
- Credit is based on hours worked, with 3 units representing 135 hours.