The purpose of an independent directed study course is to provide advanced undergraduates with the opportunities to craft and pursue an individualized course of study that meets their specific needs and interests. Directed studies are limited to material not presently offered in at the University in any formal course.

Students interested in engaging in a directed study should have a cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher. Highly motivated students or students with special needs who do not meet the minimum recommended GPA requirements should contact faculty members they are interested in working with about the possibility of doing a directed study under their guidance.

Before participating in a directed study students must successfully complete (i.e., with a ‘C’ or higher) all lower-level engineering, science, and mathematics courses required for the major. A directed study course may also require successful completion of specific upper level ENEE courses. These latter requirements will be determined by the sponsoring faculty member.

Students can enroll in 488 for between 1-3 credits, depending on the scope of the project and the time commitment. They should expect to work 3-4 hours a week (or a total of 45-60 hours over the course of a semester) for each credit of ENEE488.

Only ECE and affiliated faculty and instructors may sponsor students for ENEE488 credit.

A student wishing to engage in a directed study must submit a completed ENEE488 Application/Approval Form and a detailed proposal. The Associate Chair will review the proposal to determine if the directed study is of suitable academic content and rigor, contains adequate assessments, and appropriately complements the student’s program of study and academic goals. The sponsor of the directed will work closely with the student in preparing a proposal which, at a minimum, should include the following:

1. Objectives
• Provide a list of the main objectives for the direct study.
2. Outcomes
• Outline of topics and material to be covered.
• These should cover the range of abilities, skills, and/or techniques the student should demonstrate competency in by the end of the course of study.
3. Learning Strategies
• Including recommended reading materials or required training and where and how this is to take place
4. Assessment
• Detail the method(s) of evaluation, e.g., problem sets, papers, lab notebook, oral presentations, exams, direct performance assessment, etc.
5. Co- or prerequisites
• List specific courses prerequisites and/or co-requisites for the directed study.
6. Deliverables
• Provide a list of deliverables if applicable.

Faculty sponsors are responsible for making themselves available to meet regularly with their students throughout the semester and ensuring all assessments are administered. Students are responsible for scheduling appointments and regularly meeting with their faculty sponsor and completing all work in a timely fashion.

The sponsoring faculty member must submit the grade for the ENEE488 directed study at the end of the semester as per the regulations for a standard course

You may download a copy of the ENEE488 Application/Approval Form here or get a hard copy from the ECE Undergraduate Office in 2429 A.V. Willaims Building.

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