The General Science Concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies gives students a strong grounding in the basic natural sciences, including physics, earth and geographic sciences, biology, and chemistry. This is an appropriate concentration for students interested in a wide variety of careers such as: teaching middle school science, entry-level laboratory technician positions, and science writing careers. This is not appropriate for students wishing to continue on in medical or dental school or those who wish to go graduate school in biology, chemistry, earth science or geology.
Students must complete:
(GEOG 2000 /PHYS 2000 ) Astronomy
(GEOG 1000 Earth Systems Science
(GEOG 2100 ) Geology
(BIOL 1800 ) General Biology I
(BIOL 1900 ) General Biology II
(BIOL 2300 ) Ecology
(PHYS 1100 ) Physical Sciences
(CHEM 1000 )Chemistry in a Changing World
(ENGT 3025 ) Engineering Design: Fab. Sys. I
(CMGT 4020 ) Communication and Transportation Technologies
(CMGT 3030 ) MEP & HVAC Systems
Students with a declared Interdisciplinary Studies Major with a General Science Initial Teacher License (5-8) will not be required to complete the prerequisite courses for ENGT 3025, CMGT 4020, and ENGT 3030.
Students must complete a minor in Middle School and Secondary Education which includes 18 credits. When completing this minor, students must complete the following specific courses:
SCI 1860 –Introduction to Education (5-12)
SCI 3015 Methods in Teaching General Science (5-8) I
SCI 4850 Methods in Teaching General Science (5-8) II
EDUC 2012 Teaching the Adolescent Learner
EDUC 2011 Diversity in Education
SPED 3800 Inclusive Instruction (5-12)
Students must take IDIS Major Core Course Requirements (15 credits). IDIS 1600 (Critical and Creative Thinking), IDIS 3004 (IDIS Research Methods Seminar), IDIS 4004 (IDIS Capstone Seminar), along with two three-credit IDIS Electives. Additionally, to be eligible for initial licensure and to complete this concentration, students must complete: SCI 4012 : Practicum Seminar (5-12), SCI 4880 : Practicum I General Science (5-8), SCI 4890 Practicum II General Science (5-8), EDUC 3122 Sheltered English Immersion.
As part of the completion of this program, students must go through two review processes (Stage I and Stage II) and meet the requirements before continuing on in the concentration. If the student is unable to meet the requirements of either review, then they will be removed from the concentration. They may stay in the IDIS major and continue to complete the Middle School and Secondary Education minor, but they will not be eligible to complete the General Science (5-8) Initial Teacher License concentration.
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