If the formal graduate curricula do not suit the needs of a student, an individual curriculum can be designed to meet the student's abilities, interests, and professional objectives utilizing the educational resources of Carnegie Mellon.

The student is encouraged to consider courses offered by the other colleges of Carnegie Mellon, such as the Mellon College of Science, the School of Computer Science, the Heinz School, and the Graduate School of Industrial Administration.

The student obtains a faculty advisor, who, together with two other Carnegie Mellon faculty members for a master's degree and at least three other faculty members ofr a Ph.D. degree, constitute an advisory committee to oversee the student's research, specify degree requirements (within the general requirements of the university) and recommend the student for the degree upon completion of the program.

The degree attached to the particular program generally will not be offered by Carnegie Mellon departments since the intention of the individualized program is to increase the options available to students.

All curricula and degrees must be reviewed by an Ad Hoc Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies and written approval should be obtained from the committee before starting a curriculum program. This committee is chaired by the Associate Dean, who, with at least two other CIT faculty members, makes a recommendation for aproval to CIT College Council. Students who are interested in this program should contact the CIT Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

The degree would be offered by CIT. Requests for Interdisciplinary degrees are reviewed by the Associate Dean with advice from CIT faculty, and approved by CIT College Council. Normally for Ph.D. students the faculty advisor and home department would be within CIT. Interdisciplinary Ph.D. students in CIT must usually satisfy one component of an engineering department Ph.D. comprehensive examination.