Undergraduate Studies

Research / Independent Study (ME490 / ME491)

Students interested in doing research or independent study must fill out a proposal to earn degree credit. It is expected that students will have achieved senior status and will have completed the basic core of ME courses. Enrollment in research implies a commitment of 9 hours per week of unpaid study including one hour per week with the instructor. A final report, (about 5 to 10 pages long), is also required. A copy of this final report (approved by the instructor) is to be filed with the ASO upon completion. Award of academic credit is contingent upon receipt of this report.

The proposal and form (signed by both you and the instructor) must be submitted to the ASO before the third week of the semester. Failure to do so may result in credit for the class not being applied to the ME degree. Please give the instructor some lead time to read and sign this form before submitting it to the ASO.

After your proposal has been reviewed and given support by the Mechanical Engineering Program Director, you must register for the course. Each instructor has an "Independent Study Number" that you will use as the section number when you register. Typically ME490 is the research / independent study election. However, work may be conducted with faculty in other engineering departments. The registration would then be under the instructor's program. Example: ME490, AERO490, MSSE490. In all cases the application process remains the same.

Please fill out the Proposal Form (also available in the ASO) and address the following:

Title of project
Work location
General description of project
Your specific contribution to the project. Exactly what is it you are planning to do this semester? Do you have an independent project with a clearly defined goal? Do you have a specific role in a larger project?
Nature of interaction with faculty, graduate students, etc.
A statement of the educational objectives of this project. (What educational purpose does this project serve? How does it fit into your general educational plan?)
A statement of the educational outcomes of this project? (What are the specific skills that you will be learning in this class?)
Your understanding of how the instructor is going to measure whether the educational objectives and outcomes have been met. (I.e., How are you going to demonstrate to the instructor that you have learned what is expected from you, and that the class has served its intended purpose.)