Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 University Catalog 
    
2015-2016 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Science, BS


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About the Program

The interdisciplinary science major is designed to provide College of Science students with a broad base in the sciences. By combining a primary area of science study, an interdisciplinary science core, a supporting area of academic interest and the core curriculum shared by all College of Science programs, students explore how the disciplines of science come together to identify and solve scientific challenges. Students customize the major by selecting a departmental or interdepartmental primary area based in science and a supporting area that complements or enhances the primary area. This supporting area may be an approved minor from any college or school at the University or a concentration of 18 credits of courses with a unifying theme. There is a primary area representing each department in the College of Science, however, cross-disciplinary areas may be explored and added as appropriate. With the help of either a faculty member or an academic advisor, students are encouraged to petition for approval of their supporting area.

Students completing the interdisciplinary science major have gone on to a variety of careers - some in, and others out of, the world of science. These careers include medicine, lay and other advanced-study professions, scientific sales, technical and scientific writing, computer programming and engineering.

The most recent information is available at the College of Science website.

The Interdisciplinary Science Major is designed to give a student a broad base in the sciences with more depth in a Primary Area of Science and a Supporting Area, usually outside of Science. The Core courses are common across the major but the student customizes the major by selecting a departmental or interdepartmental Primary Area based in Science and a Supporting Area which may come from any college or school at the University. There is a Primary Area representing each department in the College of Science and cross-disciplinary areas will be explored and added as appropriate. Several Supporting Areas will be suggested and a student may petition for approval of others.

Summary of Program Requirements

The Summary of Program Requirements for Interdisciplinary Science  is a comprehensive list of those categories which a student must fulfill in order to earn their degree. Unlike the full Detailed Program Requirements listed below, complete lists of selectives for any given category are not shown. These summaries are intended to be printer-friendly and less expansive in detail.

Detailed Program Requirements

Please see below for detailed program requirements and possible selective fulfillments.

Interdisciplinary Core (37-46 credits)


(COMPLETE THIS SECTION)

Plus a Primary Area (12-17 credits)


(You Must Choose One)

Other Primary Areas that cross departments within the College of Science may be added as they are developed and approved.

Earth & Atmospheric Science (15 credits)


Physics (13-14 credits)


Note


Supporting Area courses may not overlap Core or Primary Area courses but may overlap the General Education Area. The Supporting Area may be built on the numerous minors available to Science students or on any coherent grouping of courses with a central unifying theme. These might include preprofessional, scientific writing, sales, forensics, technical studies, international studies, science policy, ethics, women’s studies, African-American studies, etc. The possibilities are very broad but any plan must be approved by the College of Science dean or designee.

Supporting Area (18 credit)


Must be approved by college.

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (24-42 credits)


 

  • Language I Selective - Credit Hours 3.00-4.00 ( select courses COULD satisfiy Human Cultures Humanities for core)
  • Language II Selective - Credit Hours 3.00-4.00 ( select courses COULD satisfiy Human Cultures Humanities for core)
  • Language and Culture III Selective - Credit Hours 3.00-4.00 ( select courses COULD satisfiy Human Cultures Humanities for core)
  • Technical Writing Selective - Credit Hours: 0.00-3.00 (select courses COULD satisfy Oral Communication for core)
  • Technical Presenting Selective - Credit Hours: 0.00-3.00 (select courses COULD satisfy Oral Communication for core)
  • General Education I Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (select courses COULD satisfy Human Culture Behavioral/Social Science for core)
  • General Education II Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (select courses COULD satisfy Human Culture Behavioral/Social Science for core)
  • General Education III Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (select courses COULD satisfy Human Culture Behavioral/Social Science for core)
  • Teambuilding Experience - Credit Hours: 0.00-4.00
  • Great Issues Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Multidisciplinary Experience - Credit Hours: 0.00-4.00 (select courses COULD satisfy Science, Technology, and Society for core)

College Of Science Requirements


For graduation, you must total 124 credit hours, 32 credits 300 level and above residency requirement, with a 2.0 or above cumulative GPA.

Foreign Language Courses


Foreign Language proficiency requirements vary by program.  For acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor:

American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, (ancient) Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical. A Critical Course is one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.

Expired Course


Any course without a link to its description is one that has been expired.  However, this course could fulfill the degree requirement historically.

Electives


0-28 Credit Hours of Electives to equal 124 credits for degree.

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