BA Interdisciplinary Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Program emphasize a broad learning experience and a wider perspective than that provided by traditional undergraduate majors. It is designed to offer the student the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary, coherent, academically sound, and goal-oriented education directly relevant to the student's intellectual development and career aspirations. It is appropriate for those students who seek a thorough grounding in the traditional arts and sciences from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Each student in the Interdisciplinary Studies program becomes an active partner in the formulation of his or her program of study, working in consultation with an advisor to devise an appropriate individual degree plan. Within the framework of two foundation areas, a university-wide interdisciplinary Studies sequence, and a multidisciplinary concentration, a student may draw upon the resources of all schools of the university to create a degree program. In addition to organized courses, students are encouraged to participate in the Internship Program and thereby combine academic with practical experience. Double majors including Interdisciplinary Studies are not available. You may also download the degree requirements and course listing in PDF format.

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Requirements
(120 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements¹: 42 hours
    A. Communication (6 hours)
        3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
        3 hours Communication Elective
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
        6 hours Government (GOVT 2301 and 2302)
        6 hours American History
        3 hours Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
        3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
        3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
        3 hours College Algebra (MATH 1300, MATH 1306 or MATH 1314)
        3 hours Statistics (STAT 1342 or PSY 2317)
    E. Science (9 hours including at least one course with a substantial laboratory component)

¹ Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parenthesis are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at U.T. Dallas.

II. Major Requirements: 54 hours
    Major Core Courses (12 hours)
        Three IS courses
        BIS 3320 The Nature of Intellectual Inquiry³
    Major Related Courses (42 hours)
        Two Foundations: 12 hours each (24 student credit hours)
            The two foundations are drawn from Arts and Humanities, Behavior and Brain Sciences,
            Computer Science, General Studies, Management, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and
            Social Sciences.
        One Concentration: 18 hours
            Each student devises, in consultation with his/her advisor, the topic for the Concentration
            and selects 18 student credit hours of course work related to the topic, drawn from at
            least three academic disciplines.
        Appropriate IS course work may be selected.

III. Elective Requirements: 24 hours
    Advanced Electives (6 hours)
    Free Electives (18 hours)²
        Students must complete 51 hours of upper-division course work to graduate.

² Students may elect to substitute MATH 2417 and MATH 2419 and count two of the credit hours as Free Electives.
³ An additional (or fourth) IS course (science or non-science) will be taken if BIS 3320 is used to satisfy the Core Curriculum Communication Elective requirement.

Highly Recommended

Internships, basic computer skills, foreign languages, international studies, courses in literature and history, and participation in workshops offered by the School of General Studies are highly recommended. Students should consult closely with their advisors on particular areas of interest they wish to include in their programs.