Students and faculty in Engineering use independent study courses for several purposes, including research partnerships, capstone design projects, and as a way for students to complete an honors thesis.

Satisfactorily completed independent study courses always receive Brown course credit. They can also be used to meet concentration requirements with approval of the concentration advisor. Approved independent study courses may also qualify as a capstone course in engineering, as long as they are completed in senior year, and involve a significant engineering design project that incorporates realistic constraints.

Registering for an Independent Study

Follow this procedure to register for an independent study:

1. Identify a faculty supervisor, and work with him or her to decide on the content and structure for your course, including: 
   (i) A way to assess your work, and the grade option (ABC/NC or S/NC)   
   (ii) Whether you will use the course to meet a concentration requirement 
   (iii) If so, whether your course will count for capstone design credit
   (iv) If requesting that the independent study satisfy capstone design credit, register for ENGN 1972 (fall semester) or ENGN 1973 (spring semester), otherwise register for ENGN 1970 (fall semester) or ENGN 1971 (spring semester). Note that any independent study course for which capstone design credit is requested must satisfy ABET accreditation requirements for design courses, and the proposal must explicitly address how these will be satisfied.
2. Complete the independent study proposal form. Students who wish to see the questions in advance can view a blank proposal form. 
3. Once your form is submitted, your faculty supervisor (and if you are using the course for concentration credit, the concentration advisor) will review the application. They will either issue the appropriate override for Banner registration, or ask you to revise and resubmit your application. You will be notified by email once you can register for the course.
4. Register in Banner for the appropriate section of Engineering Independent Study (see below for a list).

Please note that

• An independent study for credit cannot involve any payment (e.g. paid internship, work, etc.)
• Submitting the online form is not equivalent to registering for independent study. Once the independent study is approved, you must register through Banner.
• If you are seeking Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you MUST be an engineering concentrator in order to register for ENGN independent study. If not, you should register for Independent Studies through your concentration department.
• Typically only one ENGN independent study is allowed (per student per semester).

Independent Study FAQs

What Independent Study Section should I register for?

If I am completing an Independent Study for an Honors Thesis (but not for concentration credit or Capstone design), what section do I register for?
You should register for Section 11 - Other Topics Related to Engineering (not suitable for concentration credit).

Who determines the grade for my Independent Study?
Your faculty supervisor is solely responsible for supervising your project, evaluating your accomplishments and for assigning a grade (ABC/NC or S/NC - your choice). However, if you are requesting concentration credit, or capstone design credit, the concentration advisor will also consult with your supervisor to ensure that the appropriate concentration and/or design requirements have been satisfied.

I need Curricular Practical Training (CPT) - what do I do?
If you are an engineering concentrator, you submit a proposal as described above. If you are pursuing any other concentration, you must go through that department, or consult with the CPT advisor in the office of the Dean of the College.