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Independent Study

NSB Independent Study (NSB BC3099) is an opportunity for BC undergraduates interested in research to share in the work of an ongoing research program in our Department or in a comparable laboratory elsewhere in the region. We offer students the option of taking NSB BC3099 for 1, 2, 3, or 4 credits. The expectation is that each credit corresponds to a 3h/week commitment. NSB BC3099 can only be taken for a letter grade, regardless of the number of credits chosen for the course. A student may enroll in NSB BC3099 more than once. Projects are approved at the beginning of the course by a member of the BC NSB faculty. Students are required to submit a written research report at the end of the course. The grade for NSB BC3099 is determined by the BC NSB faculty member who approved the course. When the project is conducted in a lab outside BC NSB Department, the grade is assigned with input from the research advisor in the ‘outside’ lab. 

This course cannot be counted as an elective for the major.  

Registering for this course requires a bit of planning. Students are strongly recommended to plan this course during the semester prior to the one in which they want to take the course.    

A.     Finding a research sponsor. The first step towards doing independent study research is finding an advisor who will supervise your work. You must take the initiative to find an advisor by contacting a BC NSB faculty member or a researcher outside BC NSB whose research interests you. Any BC NSB faculty member can sponsor a project. A BC NSB faculty member must approve the project conducted in a lab outside BC NSB.

B.   How to register (2 steps). You have to register with the Registrar, as for any other class, AND the Department. That is, you must complete the following TWO steps in a timely manner to register for NSB BC3099:

  • 1. Departmental registration. Fill out the BC NSB Independent Study Form. To download the form, click here. The form must be signed by the BC NSB faculty who approves the course. The form serves to coordinate the student, the BC NSB faculty member, and the direct project supervisor on the plans and requirements for the course. The BC NSB faculty member who is responsible for submitting the grade will keep this form. Due Date: As early as possible during the registration period, but definitely no later than one week from start of classes.
  • 2. University registration. Register for NSB BC3099 with the Registrar. Students can register for 1, 2, 3, or 4 credits. There are multiple sections of NSB BC3099, one for each full-time faculty member. The student must enroll in the section of the NSB faculty who approved the project.

C. Research Report. Students are required to write a Research Report. It can take the form that best suits the nature of your project as determined in consultation with the person supervising your project. The BC NSB department has created a template that students can fill to complete the Research Report (to download the template, click here). In some circumstances, the student and supervisor may choose to write a final paper (see guidelines here). The length of the paper can vary; the appropriate length should be determined in consultation with the research advisor.   

D. Final Grade. The BC NSB faculty who approved the course is also responsible for submitting the grade, with input from the person who directly supervised the student’s research whenever necessary.

For questions concerning Independent Study please contact Michele Miozzo (mmiozzo@barnard.edu)