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2025-2026 General Catalog [Effective Fall 2025]
Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
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Program Information
- Course substitution is not allowed within the BIS foundational core (INDS 2000, INDS 3000, and INDS 4000).
- For the BIS degree, a BIS discipline is defined as a collection of courses that have the same course prefix (e.g., CHEM, SPAN, HIST, etc.). A BIS discipline can also be a collection of topically related courses with different course prefixes that is designed in consultation with the BIS Program Director or INDS Department Chair.
- All courses in the BIS discipline and total credit count must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better. Courses graded as Pass/Fail will only be accepted with permission of the INDS Department Chair.
- Graduates from this degree program cannot be approved for state certification as a teacher using this major.
- Interdisciplinary Studies is a stand-alone program and cannot be used as a double-major with any other baccalaureate program.
- Students who choose to pursue a BIS degree must gain approval for their curriculum design (BIS disciplines) from the BIS Coordinator or INDS Department Chair before they have earned 75 total undergraduate credits. This plan is designed in consultation with a student’s Student Success Advisor and includes the BIS foundation core classes (12 credits) and the list of classes for each selected discipline. Students who have earned more than 75 credits should consider a different degree, such as General Studies (BA/BS) or General Studies (BGS) . Certain circumstances may warrant exceptions with approval from the INDS Department Chair.
- Changes to a student’s BIS disciplines cannot be made within a student’s last earned 30 credits. Exceptions will be made under circumstances where a student’s BIS discipline course is no longer offered.
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General Education Requirement (28+ Credits)
See General Education for course options. - Core Course Requirements (12+ Credits)
- Breadth Area Requirements (16+ Credits)
Interdisciplinary Studies Curriculum (54 Credits)
BIS Foundation Core (12 Credits)
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses (42 Credits)
- Students must complete a program of study approved by the BIS Program Director or the INDS Department Chair.
- Students must complete one of the three tracks outlined below.
Track One (2 BIS 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 BIS 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 BIS 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 and University Requirements
Students’ total free elective credit is determined by their General Education courses taken, degree type selected (if applicable), additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Some students and/or programs may not have any free electives. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn - A minimum of 120 total credits;
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in both SUU coursework and combined transfer/SUU coursework;
- 40 upper-division credits , 20 of which are earned from SUU (students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum 40); and
- 30 credits completed through SUU.
Total Credits, BIS Degree: 120
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary concepts.
- Students will develop communication, information literacy, inquiry, and analysis skills as it applies to interdisciplinary scholarship corresponding to the undergraduate level.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills by drawing conclusions and combining examples, facts, or theories from more than one discipline into an interdisciplinary capstone project.
- Students will develop and articulate skills to market their interdisciplinary background.
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