by Nathan Lindsey, CALS sophomore majoring in Agricultural Science
Have you ever thought of doing an independent study? An independent study allows undergraduates a chance to pursue research or special interests not taught in regular courses. They are a great way to connect with a passion or explore something new.
An important aspect to remember when completing an independent study is that a faculty member must still become an instructor for the course. The professor will need to approve the proposed course of study and provide ongoing supervision and support of the work. This will help you get the most out of the experience academically as well as personally. Additionally, a maximum of 15 credits originating from independent studies, supervised teaching, internships, or undergraduate research can be counted towards the completion of your degree. However, credit earned from classes falling under one of these categories cannot be used to fulfill CALS Distribution requirements. Also, students who are being paid for working with faculty are ineligible to earn course credit for that work.
The steps for enrolling in an independent study course are straightforward. The form for enrolling can be found on DUST under the “CALS Special Studies Enrollment Form”. If you still want to enroll in a CALS course after the add deadline, you must fill out a statement explaining any extenuating circumstances along with the “CALS Special Studies Enrollment Form”.
If you are ready to explore new avenues or delved deeper into a passion you already have, enroll in an independent study for next semester. This experience can enhance your time at Cornell and allow you to pursue a passion, old or new.