Procedures for Students
Students are strongly encouraged to pursue an Independent Study Project which may consist of laboratory, clinical, epidemiological or social medicine research, or the application of computers in medicine. The project will be supervised by a faculty preceptor and result in a written paper or appropriate product (e.g., computer teaching module). A minimum of two months should be devoted to the Independent Study Project. Elective credit will be given for this time upon submission of the faculty preceptor evaluation. Projects can be extended beyond two months with the written permission of the faculty preceptor and Associate Dean.

Research projects in basic science may be carried out in the laboratory of a faculty member. For example, students who participated in the honors program might wish to rejoin a laboratory in which they worked during the summers of the first and/or second years. However, projects might also be clinical research carried out in a hospital or clinic; production of an educationally useful computer module (e.g., Hippocrates Project); research of an ethical or psychosocial issue; or a humanities project. Retrospective chart reviews will be considered provided they have a testable hypothesis supported by sufficient data. Students are encouraged to consider diverse options and to be creative.

To Pursue an Independent Study Project, the Student should:

A. Decide on a Project
1. Identify a need that can be met or an important research question of personal interest.

2. Discuss the project with a faculty preceptor.

B. Obtain Permission to Proceed
Submit a brief (one page minimum) description of the project, signed by the faculty preceptor, to Dr. Veronica M. Catanese, Associate Dean. Typically, this description should be submitted at least two months prior to independent study period, utilize the approved form and include the following information:

a) a concise statement establishing a clearly defined hypothesis to be tested, product to be generated or goal to be accomplished during the study period.

b) a description of the method by which the student hopes to achieve his/her goal. In other words, how the student will spend his/her time. THIS MUST BE WRITTEN BY THE STUDENT.

c) the time period during which the project will be completed. For projects lasting longer than two months, students should submit a brief progress report (one page or less), co-signed by the faculty preceptor at two month intervals. The Independent Study Project Committee will review the proposal and after reaching a consensus, make a recommendation to Dr. Veronica M. Catanese to approve, modify or disapprove the proposal. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT FOLLOWING APPROVAL, SHOULD THE STUDENT PROCEED WITH THEIR PROJECT, A FINAL REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR COMPLETING AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT.

C. Execute the Project

D. Final Report
Submit the findings or product in a finished form to the Office of Registration and Student Records no later than three months following the completion of the project. This final product may take many forms, although in most instances of scientific research the report will follow a standard journal format. (samples are available in the Office of Registration/Student Records.) All written reports should incorporate the following elements:

a) a concise statement establishing a clearly defined hypothesis to be tested, product to be generated or goal to be accomplished during the study period.

b) a description of the method by which the student hoped to test the hypothesis, produce the product or achieve the goal. In the case of a laboratory research project, this may consist of a description of the overall design of the experiment, including a discussion of potential pitfalls. For other types of projects, the student may discuss his/her reasons for selecting a particular work site, mode or area of study.

c) a description of all specialized techniques, methodologies and/or skills the student employed or acquired in the completion of his/her project.

d) a description of the results of the project. If all goals have not been accomplished this section should include a discussion of those problems which impeded the student's progress.

e) discussion which includes interpretation of results as well as a review of the pertinent literature. In general, this should be quite detailed and demonstrate that the student has achieved considerable expertise in his/her area of study.

f) a brief discussion of the relevance of the project to the student, to Medicine and/or to Society. In other words, why the student chose this particular project.

g) a statement describing the student's role on the project.

h) the Final Report must be reviewed and signed by the preceptor.

E. Approval
1. Elective Credit

Elective credit is given at the time the faculty preceptor submits an evaluation of the student's performance along with the Final Report. Evaluations must describe the specific role of the student in the execution of the project. Comments of the faculty preceptor may be incorporated into the "Dean's Letter". The grade will be pass or fail.

2. Designation as an Independent Study Project
After the written Final Report is received and elective credit is granted by the Associate Dean, determination regarding acceptance as an Independent Study Project will be made by the Independent Study Project Committee, appointed by the Dean. The Independent Study Project Committee includes representatives from the Faculty Advisory Colleges.

To receive designation as an Independent Study Project, the report must fulfill the requirements described under Section IV, "Final Report", above. Students will be given the opportunity to revise those reports which do not fulfill the criteria.

Address requests for additional forms/information to the Office of Registrations/Student Records, SLH Room 4 -44N Ex 35291. (see Clinical Year Forms)