Independent Study & Departmental Honors

Overview

There are several means for students to carry their studies in music beyond the standard undergraduate course offerings through Supervised Independent Study & Departmental Honors/Honors Research. Both require prior agreement with the Department of Music, obtained via a meeting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The Honors Research course carries restrictions, as noted below.

Independent Study

Supervised Independent Study (MUSI UN3998) (1, 2 or 3 points) is available to Columbia College & General Studies students. This course is also available to Barnard College students, but does not count toward the major. Students must develop a plan of study for a creative/scholarly project conducted under faculty supervision, leading to completion of an essay, composition, or the equivalent. They must obtain the approval of the Department, via a meeting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Ordinarily, only seniors are allowed to register.

Departmental Honors

Honors Research (MUSI UN3995) (1, 2 or 3 points) is available to Columbia College and General Studies students. Music majors in Columbia College and General Studies, with a minimum grade point average of 3.6 in departmental courses, may apply to the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the first term of her/his senior year, to be considered as a candidate for departmental honors. A written proposal for a creative/scholarly project conducted under faculty supervision, leading to completion of an honors essay, composition, or the equivalent must be submitted to an appropriate faculty advisor no later than two weeks before the last day of classes of the student's penultimate (usually autumn) term, in order to register for MUSI UN3995/Honors Research in the final (usually spring) term. Honors Research is taken in addition to the ordinary requirements for the major. In Columbia College and the School of General Studies, honors will be awarded to no more than 10 percent of graduating music majors for the distinguished completion of this project and maintenance of a 3.6 departmental grade point average. Therefore, completion of an honors project does not guarantee the award of Departmental Honors. Open only to honors candidates in music (see the Columbia College Bulletin, "Departmental Honors" for eligibility requirements).