Perhaps you have been working with a faculty member on his or her research and have an idea that might take the research in a new direction. Maybe you became interested in a particular topic when you were studying it in a class, and want to continue studying it in a hands-on way. You may even be a double major and are interested in a question that combines your Psychology or Neuroscience major and the other major.
Independent studies are opportunities for you to explore a question in depth. With the supervision of one of our faculty members, you design a study, collect data, analyze and interpret the data, and communicate your project in writing. Students who conduct independent studies are encouraged to share their projects at North Central’s annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research, at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, or at conferences of professional organizations.