Independent Study

Students can pursue independent study with a faculty member on a research or non-research project in a field of special interest. The independent study will fall into one of the following two categories:

  • Computer Science Independent Study
  • NON-Computer Science Independent Study

Depending upon which option they choose, students will need to follow the steps outlined in the respective sections below.

NOTE: Students should be willing to commit to about ten hours of work per week on their independent study.

Students who do a year of research on one project or on the same topic which incorporates at least one independent study, may apply for Graduation with Distinction (GWD). Check out our GWD requirements and timeline on the  CS Graduation with Distinction page.

All Computer Science majors taking a computer science-related Independent Study course during the current academic year are required to present their projects in poster-format at the annual CS Undergraduate Project Showcase which takes place during the corresponding Spring semester.

OPTION #1

Computer Science Independent Study

If a student elects to take an independent study in Computer Science, they must take the following steps:

  1. Meet with the faculty member you would like to work with to discuss your potential project.
  2. Work with the supervising faculty member to complete the CS Independent Study form.

NOTE: The Computer Science faculty member MUST have a primary or a secondary appointment in the Department of Computer Science.

  1. Submit the completed form to the Computer Science DUS at dus@cs.duke.edu for review and approval by no later than [date]--although earlier is recommended.
  2. Once it has been approved and you are enrolled in your independent study, you MUST meet WEEKLY with your professor over the course of the entire semester to work on your independent study project.
  3. Upon satisfactory completion of your independent study, you will receive course credit for your work.

Click here to download the form »  CS Independent Study Form

CS Independent Study Requirements

For the non-research Independent Study (IS), students must:

  • Meet weekly with the professor supervising their project.

For the Research Independent Study (RIS), students must:

  • Meet weekly with the professor supervising their project.
  • Write a substantial paper or written report containing significant analysis of their topic.

 

Requesting a "W or WR" code with an Independent Study

You may also seek approval for adding a Writing (W or WR) code to your research based IS. You can only seek the Writing (W or WR) code for one Independent study.

See this Trinity webpage for the Writing Code form. Email the completed form to the Computer Science DUS at dus@cs.duke.edu for their signature.

For individuals taking a CS writing course:

  • You (the student) must complete weekly writing assignments agreed upon with the professor supervising your independent study project.
  • The supervising professor must also agree to provide you with weekly feedback on your writing assignments.
  • You (the student) will need to include a syllabus outlining a detailed list of the weekly writing assignments in your request.
  • You (the student) will revise your weekly writing assignments based upon the professor's feedback.
  • You (the student) will need a signature from the DUS for the form, but the Trinity Course Committee will determine whether or not your independent study is approved as a writing course.

 

OPTION #2

Non-CS Independent Study

If a student wants to take an independent study with a faculty member who is NOT associated with the Department of Computer Science, the student take the following steps:

  1. FIRST, apply for an independent study in that faculty member’s department.

NOTE: Once you have a course number for your independent study, IF the course has a substantial computer science component, you may apply for consideration by the Computer Science DUS for the independent study to count as a computer science elective for the major--for the course which may be an independent study.

  1. Complete and submit the Non-CS independent Study form to the Computer Science DUS at dus@cs.duke.edu for review and approval by no later than [date].
  2. You MUST meet WEEKLY with your professor to work on your independent study project.
  3. Upon satisfactory completion of your independent study, you will receive course credit for your work.

Click here to download the form »  non-CS Independent Study Form

CS Undergraduate Project Showcase

You are expected to submit research from your Independent Study course for presentation in poster format at the annual CS Undergraduate Project Showcase during the Spring semester sometime in April. The specific date is TBA.

For more guidance on how to format and design a research poster, see guidelines for research posters from the Trinity Undergraduate Research Support Office.
 

URS Independent Study Award

Every semester the Trinity Undergraduate Research Office offers funding support to help defray the cost of expenses related to Independent Study. The URS Independent Study Award is a grant awarded to students enrolled in faculty-supervised independent study courses or the equivalent such as thesis and research capstone courses. 

Early application is encouraged. Applications remain open for as long as they have the funding. When they hit their allocated budget for applications, they close the portal.

For Fall 2026, the portal opens on the first day of the semester August 24, 2026.

See the URS Independent Study Award page for more info » Eligibility & the Application

Research Support and Services

Presentation Support

Need help with public speaking? Want someone to practice your presentation on? Additional support for your presentation is available through the Voice Lab, a new service offered by the Academic Resource Center (ARC).

Book an appointment today » the Voice Lab

Writing Support

Need help FINDING research materials and ORGANIZING your citation info? Check out these Duke University Libraries guide pages:

Want to talk to a LIVE expert about your writing? You can also reach out directly to the Computer Science subject specialist librarian with reference questions about your specific research topic - Deric Hardy at deric.hardy@duke.edu.