Directed Inquiries and Tutorials

Directed Inquiries. A Directed Inquiry is a student-initiated, individual investigation into topics of special interest to the student, not normally covered as course material. The investigation may take the form of a laboratory experiment, special readings on a given topic, an art project, or a variety of other possibilities. To propose a Directed Inquiry a student must fill out the Directed Inquiry Form (obtainable in the Registrar's office) and secure the signatures of his or her supervising professor and the department chair and submit it to the Individualized Studies Committee. First-year students may not apply for permission to carry out a Directed Inquiry until the end of their first semester.

The credit for a Directed Inquiry varies from one to six credit hours depending on the credit proposed and accepted by the Individualized Studies Committee. A minimum of 46 hours of work per credit hour is required. The student is expected to present a "product": a paper, the write-up of the experiment, a work of art. Both the student and the professor should be aware of the various deadlines for Directed Inquiries.

Tutorials. The tutorial experience allows students to do course work out of the regular calendar sequence at the request of the student and the agreement of the professor. These tutorials will be regular course offerings and will therefore usually generate three or four credit hours. Since these are courses that are already approved by the faculty, the Registrar oversees the administration of these courses.

In effect April 26, 2004.
Provost of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

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