An image of red and clear geometric shapes.

Li Han, DeBach–the Visualization of Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavichord," 2016–2017

Registration & Records

Independent Study Projects

Purpose

The purpose of an Independent Study Project (ISP) is to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to initiate and pursue independent research, creative production, and/or specialized scholarly exploration under the supervision of a SAIC faculty member who has recognized expertise in a specialized area. An ISP requires sustained, self-directly enquiry undertaken by the student and cannot replicate content from existing courses offered at SAIC; however, a proposed project may supplement or expand upon material covered in prior coursework if the project is clearly distinct in its scope, depth, or approach.

Roles & Responsibilities

    • Students must be in good academic standing and enrolled in an
      undergraduate degree program.
    • Students should have completed Sophomore Seminar and a minimum of 60 credits prior to undertaking an ISP.
    • An ISP may be taken for 0.5 to three (3) credits. A maximum of three ISP credits may be applied towards the degree.
    • Students are limited to taking one ISP, regardless of the number of
      credits.
    • ISP credit may be applied towards studio, art history, or liberal arts
      requirements, as appropriate to the project’s content and expected
      learning outcomes.
    • An ISP cannot substitute for an Academic Spine or First Year required courses.
    • An ISP cannot substitute for a course in which the student has received a grade of NCR.
    • Graduate students are not eligible for ISPs.

    • Faculty may supervise no more than one ISP per academic year.
    • Faculty supervising a fall or spring ISP must be scheduled to teach at least one course during that same semester.
    • Faculty supervising a summer or winter interim ISP must have taught at least one course in the previous semester or be scheduled to teach at least once course in the following semester.

    • Full-time faculty receive no additional compensation.
    • NTT faculty will be compensated with a one-time payment of $500. Payment will be processed by the Dean’s Office at the end of the semester.

    • Full-time faculty: Are required to hold a minimum of four (4) meetings with the student over the course of the semester. They may schedule additional meetings at their discretion.
    • NTT faculty: Are required to hold up to three (3) meetings with the student overthe course of the semester.
    • Credit-hour workload expectations: Students may register for 0.5 to three (3) credits, with work expectations ranging from 22.5 hours to 135 hours, depending on the applicable number of credits:

    • Academic Merit
    • Feasibility
    • Credit-Hour Workload
    • Resource Requirements
    • Set Clear Expectations: schedule and format of meetings, student learning outcomes, evaluation methods and grading criteria
    • Align the student learning outcomes to Degree Program-level learning goals
    • Sign off on the completed ISP application and promptly submit the signed proposal to your Department Chair

    • Syllabus: Provide to both the student and the Dean’s Office by the first day of the semester. Should include including the meeting schedule, student learning outcomes, clearly articulated grading criteria and the methods used to calculate the final course grade.
    • Course Canvas Page (LMS)
    • Meeting Schedule
    • Written Feedback
    • Monitor Progress
    • Evidence of Student Work in Canvas
    • Submit Final Grade

    • Academic Merit
    • Duplication
    • Resources

    Note: ISPs that require additional funding, or access to resources that cannot be provided should not be approved

    • Submission to Registrar (saic.registrar@saic.edu) by the required deadline
    • Final Approval Notice
    • The Department Chair will notify the student and faculty supervisor of the decision and provide specific feedback if the proposal was not approved

  • Step 1: Download the ISP Application. Save the file as ISP.LastName.FirstName, e.g. ISP.Stein.Gertrude. Download and save the application file before you begin entering information.

    Step 2: Request the assistance of an eligible faculty member with appropriate interests and competencies to serve as ISP Faculty Supervisor. If you need help identifying someone who might serve as ISP
    Faculty Supervisor, contact the department chair of the area in which you
    wish to do the ISP.

    Step 3: Prepare ISP project plan proposal in consultation with ISP faculty supervisor.

    Step 4: Prepares a preliminary bibliography, materials listing, or research plan for the independent study.

    Step 5: Provide a copy of your current unofficial transcript to add to the application.

    Step 6: ISP faculty supervisor completes faculty rationale section of application, types in their name, and submits completed form and attachments to their department chair.

    Step 7: Department Chair reviews, and if approved, submits the application to the Office of Registration and Records (saic.registrar@saic.edu). If not approved, the chair will notify the student and faculty supervisor of issues preventing approval.

  • Completed ISP Proposals should be submitted to the Registrar (saic.registrar@saic.edu) no later than the last day of the semester preceding the intended ISP enrollment