What is U450?
SOAD-U 450 is an Independent Studio Projects course designed for advanced students to work independently on a specially designed studio project under the guidance of a faculty member. Associate instructors and graduate students may not supervise U450 projects. Students must consult with their advisor regarding how U450 fits into their degree progress. They must follow steps to gain Enrollment Permission to register for the correct number of credits. The student is responsible for finding a faculty member to supervise the U450 project. The project’s scope and evaluation method are detailed in the U450 application. Approval from the SOAD Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) is required before authorization to enroll is granted.
Steps for Students to Become Authorized to Register for U450:
1. Meet with the Studio Art Academic Advisor to discuss how U450 fits with their degree progress and plan.
2. Contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies (or possibly advisor) for the Independent Study Application Form or link to machform.
3. Identify and meet with a faculty member willing to supervise the project and discuss project ideas.
4. Complete the application form with a detailed description of the project/projects and timeline.
5. The supervising faculty member emails the Director of Undergraduate Studies with approval for the project/projects, copying the necessary parties.
6. If approved, the student will receive a response about permission to enroll.
How is U450 Graded?
The instructor for U450 is responsible for emailing the final grade to the SOAD DUS on the first day of exam week.
Does U450 Count in the Studio Art Major or Minor?
U450 does not automatically count towards the major or minor. Special permission from the DUS is required to apply U450 credits towards these requirements by exception.
How Many Credits is U450?
Credits for U450 are based on the amount of work per week: one credit for every three hours of work, up to a maximum of 6 credits per semester. Students agree on the number of credits during course registration, which is repeatable up to 6 credits.
Detailed Project Description:
Students must provide a comprehensive description of the project or projects, including types of assignments leading to projects and the monitoring/feedback methods. This record is necessary if the faculty supervisor is unable to grade the project.
Instructor Agreement:
The instructor must agree to supervise the student’s project and monitor their work as described. They must submit the final grade to the SOAD DUS by the first day of exam week. HAVE INSTRUCTOR EMAIL APPROVAL TO THE DUS. I agree to work with this student on the above project and monitor their work over the semester as noted above. I understand that I am required to turn in a final grade to the SOAD Director of Undergraduate Studies, by the first day of exam week of the term of enrollment.
Student should provide:
• Instructor’s name:
• IU email address: