Albion   College 
  Mathematics and Computer Science 
  

Directed Study Guidelines

A directed study course is an opportunity for a student to work closely with a professor on a project outside the scope of courses regularly offered in the department. A directed study (Math 412 or CS 412) may be taken for a half or full unit of credit.

A student interested in a directed study should propose a topic to a faculty member in the department during the semester prior to the course. They will work out the goals, methods, evaluation criteria, and frequency of meetings. The proposal should contain a provision for the student to withdraw from the course if insufficient progress is made throughout the semester. The completed proposal needs to be presented to the chair of the department so it can be signed and processed by the Registrar by the end of the add/drop period.

A directed study should be an exciting and rewarding experience for both the student and the faculty supervisor. At the same time it should enhance the student's understanding of the academic background related to the project. The goals and evaluation criteria should relate the project to fundamental principles of the discipline, invoke or expand the standard methodologies of the discipline, and place the project in the context of important problems and applications in the field of study.

The student should plan to spend 5 to 6 hours per week throughout the semester on a half-unit directed study and 10 to 12 hours per week for a full unit. The student and faculty supervisor should meet at least once per week to discuss the student's progress and plans for continuing the project.

During the semester, the student is expected to keep a daily journal of the activities related to the project. The student will also record connections to coursework previously taken: useful background for the project, exploration of topics covered in other course work, and gaps in the student's education that need to be bridged to proceed with the project. In addition, the journal should describe the difficulties encountered and how they were overcome or eliminated.

A directed study will frequently result in a paper, final report, or project that can be presented at a departmental colloquium, at the Albion College spring research symposium, or at an undergraduate research conference. Departmental and College funds are available to support these activities.

Link to the Albion College home page.
Link to the Mathematics Department.

Modified January 3, 1997, by David Reimann
Modified March 18, 1999, by Robert Messer