Independent study and research is considered advanced work that enables undergraduates to go beyond existing coursework to investigate a topic or a hypothesis or a relationship either in the library or in the laboratory. The work generally culminates in a significant paper or report. Academic departments offer independent study opportunities to students whereby a faculty member directly supervises credit-bearing independent work or research, and credit is earned within the sponsoring department. University-wide independent study and research may apply to work that is more interdisciplinary in nature, generally falling under the U UNI course rubric.