Undergraduate Advising: Current Students: Independent Studies

UCSC offers the opportunity for students with particular skills or interest to receive credit for work outside of regular courses. There are many possibilities including lab research on-campus, a senior thesis project, or internships off-campus (Field Study - see below). To arrange an Independent Studies course, you will need a faculty sponsor who is willing to supervise you.

Please plan your project in advance. Your Independent Study course must be set up before you do your work. Credit for Independent Study cannot be given retroactively; you must be enrolled during the quarter you are doing the work.

To receive UCSC credit for an independent study project, whether on- or off-campus:

• Pick up an "Independent Studies" petition at the Undergraduate Advising Office.
  
• With your faculty sponsor, work out all the details of your Independent Study including what kind of work should be turned in for credit. Describe this on the petition.
  
• Determine with your sponsor how many hours per week you will be working. You can receive at most one unit for each three hours per week. Independent study is available in 2-or 5-unit increments.
  
• Get your sponsor's signature on the petition.
  
• Return the signed petition to the Undergraduate Advising Office to obtain department approval and a call number, which will enable you to enroll in the course. The deadline for the petition is before the regular course enrollment deadline.
  

Field Studies

Field Studies are individual programs of study with specific academic objectives carried out under the direction of a faculty member and a willing sponsor at the field site, and using resources not normally available on campus. Credit is based on the presentation of evidence of achieving the objectives by submitting a written and oral presentation. This field study may not normally be repeated for credit. If you have further questions, stop by the Undergraduate Advising Office or consult with your faculty advisor to discuss individual circumstances.

The School of Engineering does not provide placements in internships. Check with faculty or the Career Center for possible opportunities in your area of interest. Faculty information and interests are listed in this handbook under each Department.

To arrange an internship/field study:

• Along with the "Independent Studies" petition, pick up a Field Study Preparation packet at the Undergraduate Advising Office.
• Fill out the "Learning Agreement" form in the Field Study Preparation packet and sign it. Get the signatures of your agency sponsor and your faculty sponsor.
  
• Turn in the signed "Learning Agreement" form at the same time you turn in the Independent Studies petition (see above). After completing the project at the end of the quarter, you need to have your agency sponsor fill out the Intern Evaluation. You and both your sponsors must sign the evaluation. Turn in the completed evaluation to the Undergraduate Advising Office.