I. Course Title: Independent Study in Health Sciences
II. Course Number: HSCI 498
III. Credit Hours: 1-3 credits
IV. Prerequisites: Junior or senior level standing, minimum 2.5 GPA, permission of the instructor.
V. Course Description:
Designed to permit students to investigate specific problems or areas of interest independently under the direction of a supervising professor. An Independent Study proposal must be signed by the student’s academic advisor, the department’s/school’s chairperson, and the department’s/school’s curriculum committee chairperson (if required by the department/school) prior to the deadline for adding courses in the term in which the study is to be undertaken.
Note(s): Students must obtain approval from their home department in the semester preceding desired enrollment in the Independent Study. The course may carry one to three credit hours per semester and may be taken twice for a maximum of up to six semester credit hours. The course is offered as needed.
Content
Instructors and students are required to meet in order to create an outline for the course. Regularly scheduled meetings throughout the semester are expected. Content may be assigned based on the student's area of interest and/or the instructor's area of expertise.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The independent study provides students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with an instructor on a particular topic or creative project within the field of the health sciences. Designing the independent study is an important part of the project. The student should work with the instructor to discuss the aims and content of the study and produce the proposal, which may consist of a written description, readings, coursework to be evaluated, and the course syllabus.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes will vary depending on the topic of the independent study.
Assessment Measures
The student must provide a schedule of the meetings with the instructor, which includes the topics, the readings, and assignments to be covered during each session. The instructor can revise the syllabus with the student once the semester begins. Students may be assessed on the following items: tests or exams, quizzes, weekly modules, discussions, written assignments, and/or creative projects.
Other Course Information
Students must obtain approval from their home department in the semester preceding desired enrollment in the Independent Study. The course may carry one to three credit hours per semester and may be taken twice, for a maximum of up to six semester credit hours. Offered as needed.
Review and Approval
May 5, 2025