Completing the Directed Research contract accurately is critical to ensuring student work is approved and sent to the appropriate reviewers. We created this page to provide some clarity around some of the steps when completing the contract.
In particular, make sure you only select “Additional Expectations” that are reasonable to expect for the student based on the number of credits of Directed Research they are registering for (e.g. 3 credits may be more intensive and expect more outcomes like a summary paper and a presentation than 1 or 2 credits). Additionally, make sure the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) listed is for the for the student’s major which should match the designator they are registering under (e.g. BIOL, BIOC, etc.) regardless of your department or affiliations. The DUGS is the academic approver for the student.
As you work through the contract, here are a few key things to note:
Writing Intensive option: If your student is taking the writing intensive option, make sure to fill out that section of the form and include a clear plan of writing instruction including drafts, feedback, and revisions across the semester. You can find a full description of WI requirements and expectations online and via OneStop.
Direct Supervisor: If the student will be supervised by a grad student, postdoc or other researcher in your group, click “No” and enter that person’s internet ID.
Expectations: Number and intensity of expectations should align with number of credits the students is registering for. For 4000-level: Students are expected to work 45 hours per semester for each credit that you receive. So, to register for 3 credits, students would need to work a total of 135 hours over the course of the semester (approximately 8-10 hours per week).
Director of Undergraduate Studies information: Enter the internet ID for the DUGS for the student’s major. Students should leave a comment in their contract submission providing their internet ID. Otherwise, you can find it in the full list of CBS DUGS, or return the contract to the student and request that they add that information. The DUGS should align with the student’s major, not the faculty’s department.
Decision on contract: If a student's Course Subject matches their major, and they have provided you with their DUGS internet ID for you to enter, it’s ready to approve (which sends it to the DUGS as an academic approver).