THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT (ISP) has long been a cornerstone of the elective curriculum at the UCSD School of Medicine. The School of Medicine seeks to "prepare physicians who are scientifically expert, clinically astute, responsive to community problems, and compassionate toward clinical needs." Since its inception, the curriculum at UCSD has included an independent academic project as a requirement for graduation, as a mechanism for achieving these goals.

INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT GOALS

The ISP allows the student to exercise independent creativity in a significant part of his or her education. This develops the active, self-directed thought and problem-solving ability necessary for the practice of modern medicine thus complementing the core and elective courses.

The ISP emphasizes process over outcome. Medical education is a lifelong process; the ISP provides opportunities for the development of self-directed learning habits which will benefit the student in his or her future career as a physician.

The ISP provides the opportunity to develop rational and scholarly methods of investigating new information.

The ISP is an opportunity to approach a specific topic in depth, in contrast to the core curriculum which emphasizes learning in breadth.

Because the ISP is a period of concentrated study, it supports the formation of close relationships between faculty members and students.

GENERATING AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT PROPOSAL

The project should involve original, independent, creative, and scholarly activity by the student. Acceptable projects will fall into one of the following broad categories: scientific research, community service/leadership, medical education, analysis of a scientific or medical problem, The Focused Clinical Multidisciplinary-ISP (FCM-ISP), or other. Students may choose a project in which their work and a thoughtful, comprehensive analysis of its outcome become the project. The electives committee assists in developing a proposal that fulfills the requirements of a valid Independent Study Project with regard to academic content and the specific role of the student in the project.

The project may address a specific scientific question, clinical area, or involve the creation of a new methodology in medical teaching or patient care. The project itself, the rationale, and the goal(s) must be clearly defined. The definition of specific goals at the outset will facilitate the development of an appropriate strategy for completing the project.

Project should attempt something new. A project can be considered new by asking a novel question, proposing an innovative method for answering an old question, developing and/or testing a new tool for medical instruction or patient care, or development of a new community service for patient care or instruction.

The Focused Clinical Multidisciplinary-ISP (FCM-ISP), however, is a clinical experience and includes several disciplines. It may only be completed in the fourth year. Students are not required to create new information; their goal is synthesis and refinement of knowledge and experiences resulting in enhanced expertise.

The methods by which the project and the goals will be accomplished should be clearly described. The proposal should demonstrate that adequate thought and consultation have been given to designing the study. How the success of the project will be evaluated must also be clearly stated.

While there is nearly no restriction on the subject matter contained in the Independent Study Project, there must be some relevance to medicine, health care delivery, or other area of medical inquiry. With a little creativity, the possibilities are virtually limitless. Subject areas of previous suitable projects have ranged from biochemistry to public health issues.

A written summary of the findings, product, or conclusions is submitted to the Independent Study Project chair and committee for evaluation at the completion of the project. It is anticipated that many of these reports will be disseminated to a relevant audience. In the past, this often has been achieved by publication of a report in a scientific journal or presentation at a scientific meeting. Other means of dissemination include presentation on a World Wide Web site or by making the product available to patients or doctors through clinics or to other students through the Office of Learning Resources. The format of the project's final form must be approved by the student's Independent Study Project committee.

Work done prior to matriculation is admissible as a starting point for additional study while the student is enrolled in the School of Medicine, but cannot stand alone as an acceptable Independent Study Project.

Students can submit more than one Independent Study Project, if able to complete them, and still satisfy all other requirements for graduation.