Directed individual study (DIS)

Directed individual study (DIS), designated as 491 with the subject prefix (e.g., HST 491), involves investigation, under the direction of a faculty member, beyond what is offered in existing courses.

It should be noted that the purpose of DIS is supplemental study; it may not be used to duplicate a course existing in the catalogue, regardless of whether that course is offered in the current term. (In cases when a student needs a particular course that is not currently offered, an instructor may offer, with the chairperson's permission and without additional compensation, a section of that course—using the course number, not 491—with an enrollment of one student.)

To enroll in a DIS a student must be a junior or a senior and have an overall grade point average of a least 2.0 and the approval of all of the following:

• the faculty member who would direct the study
• the department chairperson
• the appropriate dean

Instructors are under no obligation to offer directed individual study and do so without additional compensation.

Departmental criteria include:

• the availability of the instructor (ordinarily instructors will not supervise more than six student credit hours of DIS per semester)
• the appropriateness of and need for the proposed study in the student's program
• the availability of library and other research resources
• the feasibility of completion of the proposed study in the allotted time.

Students are limited to nine credit hours of DIS toward graduation requirements, not more than three of which can be outside the student's major.

To enroll a student in DIS, the instructor completes a DIS form before or during the registration period for the semester. Forms are available in departmental offices. The completed form, after being approved by the departmental chairperson and the appropriate dean, is sent to the Office of the Registrar prior to the close of registration.