Directed individual study (DIS) is a college, university or college preparatory school [1] level class providing a more in-depth and comprehensive study of a specific topic than is available in the classroom.
Courses may be taken as electives. In some cases, a directed individual study may be:
Eligible students are above a certain GPA (though different universities may set different thresholds for this), and (depending on the department or major) may need to complete certain standard courses as prerequisites.
A student identifies an area in which he or she wishes to undertake research and approaches a faculty member with expertise in that field to request a directed individual study.
The student and instructor complete a DIS form and submit it to the academic coordinator who establishes the course in the registration system. The student often titles his/her own subject area.
The content and requirements of the course are worked out between each instructor and student. Generally, students should not expect a faculty member to agree to a directed individual study unless they have had the student in a regular class and are familiar with that student. The faculty member develops a related syllabus, for review and approval by the department chair and in some cases the dean of the college.
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