<p>DD is a sophomore at BU, and planning to major in communication and minor in sociology. </p>
<p>When i was in undergrad and grad school (back when erasable typing paper was big news) I realized that there were some holes in the knowledge I would need, and approached professors to do independent study in those topics. The professors (both of whom were outside of my department, and recommended by other students with that major) were extraordinarily helpful. I really wish I had done one more in the business department. </p>
<p>Has anyone approached a professor at BU to do an independent or directed study course? How did it go? Were you glad you did? What did you study? </p>
<p>If any of you have available “units,” I would strongly, strongly recommend a directed study as an option. Using me as an example, I did one because the required class (on cultural awareness) was known to be a waste of time. I went to the professor, talked about how important cultural awareness was to me, and suggested that instead of taking the general course I do an independent study on this topic as it related to my specific career plan. He enthusiastically agreed, and the binder I created was invaluable. in the other case, I needed to do 4 remaining units for my graduate degree, but the coursework that was “left” wasn’t especially critical. Instead of doing those courses, I approached a professor from a separate department (social work) and asked her to teach me the basics I thought I would need for counselling. She was extremely helpful, and I learned a LOT. </p>
<p>I am hoping that my DD takes advantage of this, and wonder if any of you have! thank you!</p>
I did two semesters of directed study in the Biology dept. working on a research project in a professor’s lab. I also did one semester in Foreign Languages – I volunteered as an interpreter at a local hospital and got credit for that. To supplement the hands-on interpreting work, I studied medical vocabulary and wrote something up, I think. My senior thesis research project (for which I also got credit) was in Chemistry. </p>