Identifying a Faculty Mentor
Independent study is intended for students who have in mind a clearly defined area of study. Starting from this place of intention, students are encouraged to learn about our faculty's research interests in an effort to find a Mentor who is currently working in that same area. For a list of primary faculty and their research interests, click here. More detailed information can be found through faculty's individual web pages.
Once a student has identified Faculty who might be a good match for them, they are encouraged to contact the Faculty to see if he/she may be interested in supervising an independent study. It is important in this correspondence to include information on economics courses to date, the area of research interest and why the student feels this Faculty would make a good Mentor. Students should be aware that Faculty may not be able to serve as Mentors for a variety of reasons. For additional assistance identifying an appropriate mentor, please contact the EcoTeach Center.
Courses & Pre-requisites
Undergraduates register for Independent Study under Economics 191, 192, 193, 194 or 204.
- Economics 191, Research Independent Study: Individual research in a field of special interest under the supervision of a faculty member, the central goal of which is a substantive paper or written report containing significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required. Pre-requisite: Economics 55D.
- Economics 192, Independent Study: Individual non-research, directed reading, or individual project in a field of special interest under the supervision of a faculty member. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required. Pre-requisite: Economics 55D.
- Economics 193, Research Independent Study: Same as Economics 191, but for second-semester juniors and seniors. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required. Pre-requisite: Economics 105D and 110D.
- Economics 194, Independent Study: Same as Economics 192, but for second-semester juniors and seniors. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required. Pre-requisite: Economics 105D and 110D.
- Economics 204, Honors Research Independent Study: Individual research in a field of special interest under the supervision of a faculty member, the central goal of which is the production of an honors thesis, containing significant analysis and interpretation of a previously approved topic. Pre-requisites: Economics 105D and 110D. Consent of instructor and Director of Undergraduate Studies required.
Although we offer independent study sections for students who have not yet completed the core, we highly recommend that students hold off on independent research until their junior or senior years.
Registration
All students wishing to take an independent study must complete the "Independent Study Form," which requires the signature of a Faculty Mentor, and the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The DUS will generally approve such requests if a student has taken the core economics courses, has taken some course work in the area of the independent study, and has performed satisfactorily in the economics courses that he/she has taken. The only exception to this occurs when the supervising faculty member is an assistant professor who has already taken on his/her share of undergraduate teaching within the department.
As it may take many weeks to finalize such an independent study, students are encouraged to be proactive and contact faculty early. Upon approval by the DUS, the EcoTeach Center will issue a permission number to the student for registration purposes. Forms for independent study must be submitted to the EcoTeach Center by the first day of classes for the term in which the student wants to register. We recommend that students submit much earlier to be assured that their research plan will be approved.
Questions about registration should be directed to the DUS Assistant in the EcoTeach Center, asst_dus@econ.duke.edu or #919-660-1881.
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