7.2. How do I enroll in Honors Thesis, Independent Study, or Research through the Math Department?
Math/SDS Majors and Minors → Registration and transcripts → How do I enroll in Honors Thesis, Independent Study, or Research through the Math Department?
So you've found a professor willing to work with you on a project in mathematics or statistics & data science - that's great! If you would like to earn credit and have this experience appear on your transcript, you'll need to submit a project proposal and request for enrollment. Students currently need to pick up a paper form from our Academic Office: stop by the counter at room 108 of the Math Building during business hours.
The form will require you to include
- which type of individual studies course you want to enroll in and at what level (see Individual Studies Course Types and Grading, and also Determining the Level of an Individual Studies Course below for more information),
- the number of units (at least 45 hours of work is required for each unit of credit to be earned),
- a description of the proposed work to be done, and
- signatures from yourself, the professor who will supervise your work, and your math department faculty advisor
The student and supervisor are expected to work together to complete the form.
If you are expecting to use these units toward degree requirements, make sure to discuss with your faculty advisor and the Math Center advising team (math-mathcenter@arizona.edu).
Individual Studies Course Types and Grading
See also the Catalog policies on house numbered courses and grading:
https://catalog.arizona.edu/policy/courses-credit/courses/house-numbered-courses
S/P/F grades are NOT included in the GPA.
|
Type |
Numbers |
Grades |
Note |
|
Preceptorship |
391, 491 |
391: A, B, C, D, E regular grades; 491: S, P, F alternative grades |
Used for UTA programs |
|
Directed Research |
392, 492 |
A, B, C, D, E regular grades |
|
|
Internship |
293, 393, 493 |
S, P, F alternative grades |
Internship Work Plan required for enrollment* |
|
Independent Study |
199, 299, 399, 499 |
S, P, F alternative grades |
|
|
Honors Independent Study |
199H, 299H, 399H, 499H |
A, B, C, D, E regular grades |
Honors College students only |
|
Senior Capstone |
498 |
A, B, C, D, E regular grades |
|
|
Honors Thesis |
498H |
A, B, C, D, E regular grades |
Honors College students only; must complete two (2) semesters of 498H to graduate with honors |
*see our Internship enrollment instructions for Math Department guidelines and required work plan form.
Determining the Level of an Individual Studies Course:
The faculty member who is mentoring the individual studies course decides on the level at their sole discretion. Some general guidelines:
- 100 level should be used for projects with no prerequisite college math/sds courses or knowledge,
- 200 level where the prerequisite knowledge/courses are 100 level (e.g. Calculus 1 or 2),
- 300 level where the prerequisite is 200 level (math 223 - vector calculus, math 254 level ODEs), and
- 400 level for courses with 300 or 400 level prerequisites.
Mathematical maturity may also be a consideration, and faculty should feel free to use their judgment.