What is the Wooster I.S.?
The College of Wooster is committed to mentored undergraduate research and is nationally recognized for its program of Independent Study. “I.S.” is the term everyone calls this senior capstone experience, which Wooster has required for over 70 years. In fact, all students in all majors as part of their graduation requirements participate in an original research project, culminating in a written thesis and oral defense.
I.S. encourages students to think critically, independently, and creatively. At present, Wooster’s senior capstone experience is ranked 2nd in the nation, and this ranking includes all institutions (R1 through PUI). Wooster has also been recognized for having “outstanding” undergraduate research opportunities and as one of the top 10 colleges in America that “do the best job of teaching undergraduates.”
The Department of Earth Sciences at Wooster shares this commitment to science education and mentored undergraduate research. Our department’s philosophy was highlighted in Eos (v93 n36), the international newspaper of AGU, when we were asked by the editors to write a featured article on mentored undergraduate research in the geosciences. We have developed a program that integrates teaching with research, while providing impactful experiences for our students. Our program prepares students for careers in the geosciences.
In my department, mentored undergraduate research is a student-centered approach of collaboration between students and the faculty. Faculty-student interactions are critical to our mission because we engage students at all steps in the research process. Students, therefore, benefit from real time conversations with their faculty mentors, growing as scientists and communicators. Collaboration on significant research projects each year are often presented at national meetings (GSA, AAPG, AGU) and published in peer-reviewed journals. This is possible because our curriculum intentionally infuses research skills in a sequenced approach. This scaffolded curriculum makes our undergraduates prepared for research in their junior and senior years when they enroll in a three-semester course sequence focused on research.
This course sequence called “Independent Study” always has had a peculiar name to me. People unfamiliar with Wooster’s style of education might think that a student is independently working on a project without the help a faculty member. That is not true at all! Independent Study isn’t so “independent” after all. My students know that I am with them every step of the way, mentoring…guiding…teaching…and learning along with them in weekly research meetings. I cultivate their research independence from me by helping them find their academic voice, but I am always present as their research and academic advisor If you are interested in learning more about Wooster’s I.S. program, then read more on our webpage.