Undergraduate students are encouraged to pursue directed group or independent studies under the guidance of faculty members. The topic can be any business-related study and can be an extension of ideas explored in the regular curriculum. However, UGBA 198 and 199 may not be used as a way of “adding on” to a course in which the student is currently enrolled.
Directed Group Study (UGBA 198)
Below are the procedures to propose a UBGA 198 class. Please read the Academic Senate website before submitting your proposals. Incomplete UGBA 198 proposals will be denied.
Directed Group Study courses need a faculty sponsor and the approval of the Director for Academic Affairs of the Haas Undergraduate Program. It is the students’ responsibility to find a faculty sponsor. One resource is the Haas Faculty directory.
Faculty may not sponsor more than one UGBA 198 in any semester.
UGBA 198 proposals must be submitted to the Haas Undergraduate Program Office by October 28th for the Spring 2023 semester. The following must be submitted by the deadline:
- UGBA 198 Directed Group Study Form (PDF format)
- The following are posted on the Academic Senate page:
- Course proposal form– The form, unit value worksheet, instructions, and three checklists are combined into a course proposal packet that must be completed entirely, including all relevant signatures.
- Fully developed syllabus – A fully developed syllabus will include at least the following: an outline of course content, a reading list, statement of frequency of class meetings, clear description of assignments and requirements for passing the class, key learning outcomes, method(s) of instruction, and method(s) of evaluation of student performance.
- An example of a fully developed syllabus can be found at the Center for Teaching & Learning. Additional resources may be found at the website for Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training & Resources (UCFTR).
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- Unit value worksheet – The worksheet to calculate workload and resultant unit value is available for download. This worksheet is required to be submitted to the Academic Senate.
- Unit value worksheet PDF (open and fill out in Acrobat Reader, then print)
- Unit value worksheet Word version (can be printed and filled out by hand)
- When completing the unit value worksheet ensure that the minimum total work hours are equivalent to the unit value of the course (e.g.: there are at least 45 hours for a 1 unit course). Also, ensure that any requirements outlined in the worksheet are explained fully in the course syllabus.
- Unit value worksheet – The worksheet to calculate workload and resultant unit value is available for download. This worksheet is required to be submitted to the Academic Senate.
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- Faculty Sponsor Letter of Support – A letter of support from the instructor of record must be provided for each course the instructor is sponsoring. The letter should address the five questions explaining the role and relationship the instructor has with the course. The letter should be written on department letterhead and signed by the instructor of record.
- Completion of a UCFTR Training Workshop for each student facilitator.
The proposal should then be submitted to the Haas Undergraduate Program Office in Haas S450 for review. If approved, the Undergraduate Program Office will request a classroom, course numbers, and the Permission Numbers to be assigned by the student facilitator to students approved to enroll in the 198 course. The facilitator will also be granted access to limited Haas Computer Center services.
The Haas Undergraduate Program Office will submit the original of the Course Proposal Form to the Academic Senate. The student facilitator will be sent a copy of the approved Course Proposal Form.
Important Note: Student facilitators are NOT instructors and do not replace the faculty members who are sponsoring their courses. Any questions regarding course content, syllabus, grading policy, and any disputes MUST be directed to the sponsoring faculty member and department and not to the course facilitator or the DeCal office. In addition, the student facilitator must be a registered UC Berkeley student in the term they are teaching the UGBA 198.
Student facilitators can enroll in UGBA 199 for course credit. A student facilitator may not be enrolled in the UGBA 198 course.
The UGBA 199 form should indicate it is for DeCal facilitator credit. The unit value of the UBGA 199 credit shall not exceed the unit value of UBGA 198. The UGBA 199 form needs to be submitted to the Haas Undergraduate Office no later than the last day of third week of the semester. The Undergraduate Office will enroll the student in the UGBA 199 and it will be reflected on CalCentral.
More than one student facilitator is allowed; however, one student facilitator must be the primary contact person for the Undergraduate Program Office. In addition, students are not allowed to be the facilitator for more than one UGBA 198 per semester.
Individual Independent Study (UGBA 199)
- A UGBA 199 can be assigned 1, 2, 3 or 4 units. The number of units depends on the amount of class contact hours and/or study. Academic Senate regulations prescribe that a student do 3 hours per week per term for each unit of credit received. UGBA 199 units are agreed on in advance with the expectation that each unit represents 45 hours of class contact and/or study. Please note that 3 and 4 unit independent studies are exceptional and are only approved when accompanied by substantial proposals.
- UGBA 199 Independent Study credit cannot be received for internships, whether paid or unpaid. Please also review this Career Center information.
- Students must complete 60 units prior to participating in an individual Independent Study.
- No more than 4 units of directed group/independent study is allowed per semester.
- UGBA 199 is offered on a P/NP basis only (no letter grades).
- No more than 16 units total of directed group/independent study may be used for degree requirements.
Independent Study courses need a faculty sponsor and the approval of the Executive Director of the Haas Undergraduate Program. It is the student’s responsibility to find a faculty sponsor. One resource is the Haas Faculty directory.
Discuss the independent study idea with the sponsoring faculty member and develop a semester outline for the work involved. Clearly state the topic and method of study and include a timeline and information about the hours that will be spent on each component as well as how the project will be evaluated. It is important to state intermediate goals with tentative due dates. See above for unit requirements.
The proposal should then be submitted to the Haas Undergraduate Program Office in Haas S450 for review. If approved, the Undergraduate Program Office will email the control number and class entry code needed to add the course.
UGBA 199 Independent Study credit cannot be received for internships, whether paid or unpaid. Please also review this Career Center information.
UGBA 199 Independent Study Form (PDF format)
The deadline to submit UGBA 199 proposals for Fall and Spring semesters is the last day of the third week of the semester.
The deadline to submit UGBA 199 proposals for Summer Session is July 1.