Campuses:
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Duluth Campus
Interdisciplinary Studies B.A.College of Liberal Arts - Adm
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
The program is for students whose educational objectives can best be met by integrating courses across departments. This major is unique because it is individually designed; students work with 2-3 faculty advisors to create a framework that involves courses from several fields of study. It may encompass the natural sciences, social sciences, cultural studies, fine arts, technical and professional fields, or a combination of these.
This major offers two tracks: an Individualized Plan that allows students to choose the emphasis of their major, and a Medical Arts and Sciences Plan that prepares students for health-related careers. Both plans require students to choose the specific focus of their program and craft a curriculum to fit that focus.
Unlike many UMD majors, Interdisciplinary Studies is available only by formal application and approval by the student's faculty advisors and the Interdisciplinary Studies Program Director. Students cannot apply for a change of major until their program has been approved.
Proposals must incorporate at least three different areas of study, including at least 12 credits from within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Students are welcome to include courses from other UMD colleges.
Visit the IS site for further information: z.umn.edu/umdis
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
Program Requirements
1. A second field of study (e.g. minor, major, degree) is not required for this major.
2. Global experience is a UMD goal for all students and international study is encouraged. Talk with an academic or faculty advisor to explore academic options for fulfilling your degree requirements through study abroad.
3. A cumulative U of MN GPA of at least 2.50 is required with the application.
4. Within the proposal, at least three areas of study are included and 12 credits must be from the collegiate unit offering this program.
5. In consultation with 2-3 faculty advisors, students develop an application including:
- A statement of their educational objectives.
- A chosen track (Individual Plan or Medical Arts and Sciences Plan).
- Identified two methods courses (minimum 6 credits).
- A list of proposed courses that will form the student's curriculum (minimum 36 credits).
In most cases, students must submit their proposal before completing 70 credits. Exceptions include returning students, transfer students admitted with 70 or more credits, and active military or veteran students, who may declare the major before completing 90 credits. These students are only eligible for the Individualized Plan track.
Learning in Community (1 cr)
The Learning in Community requirement will be waived for transfer students with at least 30 credits taken post-high school, and for UMD students who started in a UMD program where this was not required. First-year students who have completed 30 PSEO credits may request a waiver to the student’s primary college.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community
(1.0-2.0 cr)
or
EHS 1000 - Into the World
[GLOBAL PER]
(3.0 cr)
or
ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability
[GLOBAL PER]
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American
[CDIVERSITY]
(3.0 cr)
or
PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology
[CDIVERSITY]
(3.0 cr)
Advanced Writing (3 cr)
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
Core (4 cr)
IS 2001 - Sustainability Across Disciplines
[SUSTAIN]
(4.0 cr)
Methods Courses (6-8 cr)
All students are required to complete two research methods courses appropriate to their final project before they register for senior project. These courses are chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisors and the program director.
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
Methods course (3-4 cr)
Senior Project (1-10 cr)
The senior project usually results in an academic paper of 15-30 pages. The project may be an internship, portfolio, exhibit, tour, or field study. The project includes a bibliography of library resources showing general knowledge of the topic and a written paper, report, journal, or analysis of how the program has affected one's personal and intellectual development. A copy of the project must be filed with the program director.
IS 3093 - Senior Project
(1.0-10.0 cr)
Proposed Electives (36 cr)
Students must complete a minimum of 36 upper-division credits (3xxx or above) across three or more areas of study; 12 credits must be from the CAHSS collegiate unit.
(IS proposed course)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Individualized Plan
This track allows students to choose the emphasis of their major. This track may encompass the natural sciences, social sciences, cultural studies, fine arts, technical and professional fields, or a combination of these. The program admission application should be carefully crafted with advice from faculty advisors. Students should contact the program director for help identifying potential advisors.
Students must declare this track of the major before completing 70 credits. Exceptions include returning students, transfer students admitted with 70 or more credits, and active military or veteran students, who may declare this track of the major before completing 90 credits.
Visit the IS site for further information: z.umn.edu/umdis
Medical Arts and Science Plan
This track is for students who plan to enter medical school or a health-related field after graduation but want to pursue coursework with a heavier liberal arts emphasis than the traditional 'pre-med' trajectory. Within the track, students can design a curriculum to suit their individual interests; examples might include holistic health, food politics, or midwifery. The Interdisciplinary Studies website provides a list of potential courses for students to consider as they work with faculty advisors to design a program of study.
Students must declare this track of the major before completing 70 credits.
Visit the IS site for further information: z.umn.edu/umdis
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Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -10.0 [max 10.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |