Many of the best and most exciting learning experiences happen in research. Accordingly, students in neuroscience are strongly encouraged to pursue research independent research projects in some area of neuroscience under the supervision or sponsorship of Undergraduate Neuroscience Faculty.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION TO ACCOMPANY FORM
Description must include the overall purpose of the project, the specific aims of the study, the methods to be employed, and how the anticipated results will address the research questions. The description should also make clear how the proposed project is likely to advance our understanding of neuroscience. If this is a continuation (NEUROSCI 494), you may use the description from 493, however add a paragraph describing your plans, accomplishments, and goals you intend for the NEUROSCI 494 semester. This applies to NEUROSCI 495 and 496, research independent study 3 and 4.
The Project Description component of the proposal form should be written in your own words reflecting your own understanding of the project that you are proposing. You must not use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate a draft of your project description. If your faculty mentor prohibits any use of AI in your proposed independent scholarship or research independent study, then that policy should apply to your project description attached to the proposal form. If your mentor does permit AI for the purposes of editing original writing, then you may use AI for this purpose on your project description. However, we will routinely utilize AI-detection software to evaluate proposed project descriptions. We will return your forms for revision if such screens indicate a high likelihood of AI-generated text. Please note that you and your faculty mentor are required to declare an AI policy that will govern all scholarly and research activities associated with your work (see page of the proposal form: “Generative AI policy”).
Research Independent Study Proposal Form
Due date: Proposal applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Friday of the first full week of class
Please plan ahead and consider completing and submitting your proposal before the end of the current semester, well before the due date.
Overview:
Research Independent Studies in Neuroscience are academic courses [NEUROSCI 493 and 494] of scholarly content overseen by faculty principal investigators. The criteria for Independent Studies include:
- Eligible students are typically in their junior or senior year and should have completed 2 or more Neuroscience courses (courses that carry the NEUROSCI subject code). Interested sophomores may also be eligible, but they should first discuss their plans for independent study with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Neuroscience or the Associate Director. Students pursuing a minor in Neuroscience may also enroll in research independent study.
- Mentorship is the responsibility of a faculty member (affiliated non-faculty research associates and assistants may also contribute to the supervision of the research).
- Student research must focus on Neuroscience and occur primarily in a basic science or clinical science research setting. The student must explain in their proposal for research independent study how their work will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in the field of neuroscience (see proposal application).
- The work should be fundamentally academic and/or scholarly in nature (acquisition of research techniques may be included as part of the experience, but should not be the primary goal of the research independent study).
- If your research independent study project is through a Bass Connections team and you're receiving credit for NEUROSCI 493-496, you are not permitted to also receive Bass Connections course credit.
- Students proposing a second term of independent study on the same project should plan to enroll in NEUROSCI 494. Please note that an approved proposal is required for enrollment in NEUROSCI 494. In preparing a 494 proposal, the project description section should focus on the specific scientific aims and learning objectives that are to be accomplished in the second term of the research independent study. This applies to the NEUROSCI 495 and 496, research independent study 3 and 4.
- At the end of the term for both NEUROSCI 493 and 494, the research activities should be summarized in a substantive written paper, which should take the form of scientific manuscript, with Background and Significance, Methods, Results and Discussion sections (standard APA format or grant proposal format is acceptable). The precise format and length of this paper should be discussed by the student and research mentor. At the end of the term, the paper should be submitted to the research mentor for evaluation. The student’s grade for the term will in part depend on the mentor’s evaluation of this scholarly product.
- A copy of the final paper must be submitted electronically to Tyler Lee ( tyler.lee@duke.edu ) in the Office of Undergraduate Studies in Neuroscience.
- No more than one term of research independent study in neuroscience will be approved for Summer Session.
Students can locate approved Undergraduate Neuroscience faculty here for a project. Others may wish to pursue research with faculty who are not presently designated as such. If this is the case, the student should discuss her/his/their interests with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Neuroscience.
If the proposed project satisfies the above criteria, the student may be directed to a faculty sponsor from among the ranks of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Faculty who will serve as a liaison between the Neuroscience office and the student’s faculty mentor. Under these circumstances, the student will work directly with the faculty mentor in pursuit of the research aims, but the proper conduct of the course (including grade submission) is the responsibility of the faculty sponsor.
Remember, no course credit can be awarded for paid work.
If interested in applying for research independent study in neuroscience: download, complete and submit the PDF application (see above) to Tyler Lee at tyler.lee@duke.edu. Please remember that a half page write up of your plans for the semester must also accompany the form.
Permission numbers for registration will be issued from that Office. Proposal applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Friday of the first full week of class.
Lastly, please note that only NEUROSCI 493 through 496, Research Independent Study, terms 1-4, will count toward completion of Neuroscience major requirements. Independent study courses from other departments/majors will not count toward completion of major requirements.