What is Independent Studies? What is the difference between Independent
Studies and Field Studies?
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.
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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 adviser 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.
When and where can I start looking for Internships?
It is highly recommended to prepare applying to internships your frosh year.
However, it is never late to apply to internships your sophomore, junior, and even
senior years. These are some of the resources on campus that explain what kinds of
internships are available.
Graduate Information Program (GIP)
Career Center
If I have no experience in anything, do I qualify to do an internship?
Yes! Internships are made to gain experience in whatever it is that people are interested in.
When and where can I look for graduate school information?
The best time to begin looking into graduate school is Spring quarter of your freshman year,
however, sophomore, junior, and Fall of senior year is also good. These are some of the links where you can
find out more information:
When should I begin to apply to study abroad?
You MUST apply with a year in advance! Here is the
Education Abroad Program website, which explains in detail the requirements and much more.
When is the deadline to declare my major?
The deadline to declare your major is Spring quarter of your sophomore year. |
