Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.


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Chairperson
Program Manager
Petri Flint Jessica Robey

 

Objectives for the Program in Interdisciplinary Studies


The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies provides for many possible combinations of coursework available through this major, limited only by the breadth and depth of courses offered through the day and evening divisions of the university. Students work with faculty advisors to develop their unique major. When creating a plan of study, students must have a rationale for the thematic approach to their program.

  • Provide for individually designed interdisciplinary programs that allow students to develop a course of study that reflects individual educational and professional goals.
  • Provide the opportunity for students to develop a unique course of study by creating/integrating university minor and additional courses/areas of concentration.
  • Enables students to explore discipline areas and integrate them in a coherent interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary way through the development and completion of a senior capstone project.
  • Provide the opportunity for students to combine broadly based liberal arts and sciences courses with professional courses that are thoughtfully chosen and promote interdisciplinary thinking.

Criteria for Admission


There is a formal application procedure for students who choose to major in Interdisciplinary Studies as an internal or external transfer student. The purpose of the application is to:

  • Identify the student’s academic and professional goals to assure they are best achieved through the program.
  • Require students to meet with an advisor to consider and outline their proposed program.
  • Identify any required independent work or internship experience.

The above-listed goals will happen after acceptance to the program for entering freshman and external transfer students.

Interdisciplinary Studies


Requirements for the Major in Interdisciplinary Studies


The Interdisciplinary Studies degree is typically awarded as a Bachelor of Science. A Bachelor of Arts is awarded if the student includes foreign language study through the second year of college level work and concentrates their fields of study in the liberal arts and sciences fields. Other requirements include:

  • A rationale/thematic organizing principle for the program.
  • A required series of IDIS seminar courses [6 cr.]
  • A core of three interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary courses, one required, two elective [9 cr.].

IDIS Major Core Course Requirements:


Required Interdisciplinary course:

Notes


  • A minimum of 36 hours of coursework for the designed major which includes a university recognized minor [18 cr.] and at least 18 hours of additional designed coursework. At least 50% of the additional 18-24 credits of coursework must be 2000+ level courses.
  • A final year Capstone course demonstrating the integration of the various fields of study. This may be combined with an independent study, field experience or internship experience for additional 3 to 12 semester hours.
  • A minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework completed after the program of study is approved and filed with the registrar.

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