Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.)

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Academic Coordinator

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Program Summary

The BIS major requires students to integrate two or more specific disciplines into a customized program of study, which is then linked together by a common core of classes designed to help students synthesize and communicate the relevance of the integration. BIS majors must complete a minimum of 46 credits in the program, 4 of which comprise the common core. Course substitution is not allowed within the common core. The other 42 credits will be drawn from various SUU courses, depending on the student’s needs and in consultation with the Program Director. A total of 33 upper-division credits must be within the BIS program of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to effectively communicate and present ideas with clarity and persuasive force.
In preparation for graduate school, learners will explore and apply various concepts of scholarly research.
Students will be able to learn skills in interdisciplinary research and understand how academic disciplines have evolved throughout history.
Learners will develop and demonstrate scholarly writing skills corresponding to undergraduate level research.
Student will be able to demonstrate the difference between interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary topics.

Program Information

All courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted in the major.
Graduates from this degree program cannot be approved for state certification as a teacher using this major.
Students who wish to pursue a BIS degree must gain approval for their curriculum design from the academic coordinator within the BIS program before they have earned 75 total undergraduate credits. Students who have earned more than 75 credits should consider a different degree, such as General Studies (B.A., B.S.) . Certain circumstances may warrant exceptions with approval.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)

See General Education for course options.

Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
Knowledge Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Knowledge Area requirements.

Interdisciplinary Studies Curriculum (46 Credits)

BIS Foundation Core (4 Credits)

INDS 2000 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies 1 Credit(s)
INDS 3000 - Interdisciplinary Studies Research Methods 2 Credit(s)
INDS 4000 - Interdisciplinary Studies Capstone 1 Credit(s)

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses (42 Credits)

Students must complete a program of study and have it approved by the academic coordinator within the BIS program.
Students must select one of the three tracks outlined below.

Track One (2 Disciplines)

Discipline 1 - 21 credits minimum, of which 15 credits must be upper-division (3000- and 4000-level)
Discipline 2 - 21 credits minimum, of which 15 credits must be upper-division (3000- and 4000-level)

Track Two (2 Disciplines)

Discipline 1 - 30 credits minimum, of which 18 credits must be upper-division (3000- and 4000-level)
Discipline 2 - 12 credits minimum, all 12 of which must be upper-division (3000- and 4000-level)

Track Three (3 Disciplines)

Discipline 1 - 15 credits minimum, of which 9 credits must be upper-division (3000- or 4000-level)
Discipline 2 - 15 credits minimum, of which 9 credits must be upper-division (3000- or 4000-level)
Discipline 3 - 12 credits minimum, all 12 of which must be upper-division (3000- or 4000-level)

Free Electives (39-44 Credits)

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult the academic coordinator within the BIS program for details.