IR Independent Study
The IR Program has introduced a new IR Independent Study option to encourage students to broaden, deepen or sustain intellectual interests that grow out of coursework or participation in programs such as EPIIC (Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship). This option opens up possibilities to pursue independent, concentrated study on topics of special interest.

Petition Process for IR Independent Study
Proposals to do an IR Independent Study must be submitted to the IR Curriculum Committee in Cabot 605 before the IR Program meets to approve courses for the following semester. Deadlines for submission will normally be mid-October for Spring semester and mid-March for Fall semester. Precise dates are available from the IR Program office. Only after the IR Curriculum Committee approves the petition may students enroll for an IR Independent Study (INTR 193 for Fall semester, INTR 194 for Spring semester) through high-demand preregistration at the IR Program office in Cabot 605.

Criteria for IR Independent Study
An IR Independent Study petition includes the following materials:

1. Statement of Intent. A statement of intent to pursue an independent study, outlining the topic and question to be addressed, discussing the type of evidence to be examined, and providing a working bibliography;
2. Faculty Support. A supporting letter/memo from the IR Core Faculty member who will direct the project, accompanied by a statement of the method of evaluation the faculty member will use to determine the grade;
3. Preparatory Course Work. Evidence of completion of at least 2 (two) courses in the proposed field of study sufficient to provide adequate foundational knowledge to pursue the independent study;
4. Compatibility with Thematic Concentration. A statement of how the proposed independent study is in accordance with the rationale for the student's IR thematic concentration. [Note: Should the student subsequently change his/her IR thematic concentration, the independent study may not be able to count for IR credit unless appropriate to the newly selected thematic concentration.]

Prohibition Against Double-Credit for an IR Independent Study
No student registered for INTR 193 or INTR 194 may be registered for any other class covering substantially the same intellectual material as addressed in the IR independent study. University rules barring double-credit for academic coursework would prohibit students from submitting work from an IR independent study for credit in any other course.

Letters of Recommendation
Whether for career opportunities, graduate school, study abroad, scholarships, internships or academic honors, students will at some time during their undergraduate career need a letter of recommendation from their advisor or a faculty member they have come to know. There are a few things students should keep in mind when making such requests. Letters of recommendation are time-consuming for those who must write them, and certain times of the year are likely to be busier for faculty than others. To facilitate the writing of letters of recommendation, the following guidelines should be observed:

Prepare in advance: Make any requests for recommendations months before deadlines. Faculty are under no obligation to meet your last-minute requests.

Select someone who knows you: Make sure your advisor (or professor) knows who you are. Nothing is less compelling than a letter of recommendation from someone who does not know you. It is your responsibility to get to know your faculty as early as freshman or sophomore year. Your senior year may be too late.

Provide useful information: A transcript, resume, and information about the scholarship, graduate program, or job to which you are applying are very useful for your advisor or professor when writing.

How to Graduate: IR Major Concentration Form (Degree Sheet)
In order to graduate, students need to complete four steps:

1. All students need fill out two forms:
   • University degree sheet found online at http://studentservices.tufts.edu;
   • IR Planning and Concentration Form found online at http://ase.tufts.edu/ir/forms.htm or in the IR Program office (Cabot 605).
   • Double majors will also need to fill out the IR Double-Major Form found online at http://ase.tufts.edu/ir/forms.htm.
2. Once students fill out the forms, their advisors must review and sign them.
3. After students have obtained their advisor's signature, they need to bring ALL forms to the IR Program office (Cabot 605) for the IR Program Director's signature. Double majors need to have their second major concentration form signed first and then bring all forms to the IR Program office.
4. Once the IR Program Director has signed the degree sheet, students will be emailed to pick up and bring their forms to Student Services (Dowling Hall). The IR Program will keep a copy of all forms, and students should be sure to retain a copy for their own records.

*DUE DATE: These forms are due by early November senior year; however, they take time to process at each step so students should plan accordingly and start the process early.

If you have any additional questions about degree sheet procedures, please contact the IR Program office (Cabot 605).

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