Independent Study Independent Study
Students with a strong background in a particular field, usually in their major, may wish to pursue a semester-long course of independent study for a unit of credit. Most but not all departments offer this option to their majors through a course titled "Supervised Work" and numbered 403 (480 at Haverford).
If you are interested in doing a semester of independent study in a particular area, you will need to find a faculty member to supervise your work. Ordinarily, this will be a full-time member of a department. Before agreeing, the faculty member may want you to write up a formal proposal; they may also require you to consult your major adviser or your dean. No faculty member is every obliged to agree to supervise a unit of independent study.
Together with the faculty member, you will develop a specific plan of what work you will complete and of how often you will meet during the course of the semester.
You may register for Independent Study through the Virtual Registrar's Office during the regular preregistration and registration periods.
SEMESTER AT A GLANCE
January 22
First day of classes
January 28-29
Confirmation of registration
February 8
Last day to drop a 5th class
February 20
Hell Week begins
February 29
Last day to sign up for CR/NC
March 7
Spring break begins
March 17
Classes resume
April 7
Preregistration begins
April 18
Preregistration ends
May 2
Last day of classes
May 4
May Day celebration
May 7
Final exams begin
May 16
Final exams end
May 17-18
Commencement weekend