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Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A. and B.S.)

The Bachelors' degrees in the Interdisciplinary Studies program emphasize a broad learning experience and a wider perspective than that provided by traditional undergraduate majors. They are 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. They are 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 a faculty 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.

Minors and Double Majors are not allowed in Interdisciplinary Studies degrees. In order to make the Interdisciplinary Studies degrees reflect their name, no more than 21 hours of courses with the same prefix are allowed in the combined 54 hours of major requirements and the 6 hours of advanced electives. (BA and ACCT courses count as a single prefix.) In the 54 hours of major requirements and 6 hours of advanced electives, there must be a minimum of 51 hours of upper-division courses. In the concentration, a minimum of three (3) prefixes must be represented. Please consult an academic advisor for further elaboration.

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 studentsemester 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.

Bachelor of Science 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 GOVT 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)
        6 hours Calculus (MATH 1325 and MATH 1326)²
    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 Science IS courses
        BIS 3320 The Nature of Intellectual Inquiry³
    Major Related Courses (42 hours)
        Two Foundations: 12 hours each (24 student credit hours)
            Foundation I consists of courses taught by the School of Natural Sciences and
                Mathematics, Computer Science, or Science courses from the School of Behavior and
                Brain Sciences.
            Foundation II is drawn from Arts and Humanities, Behavior and Brain Sciences (if not used
                for Foundation I), Computer Science, General Studies, Management, and Social
                Sciences.
        One Concentration: 18 hours
            Each student devises, in consultation with his/her advisor, the topic for the Concentration
                and selects 18 studentsemester credit hours of course work related to the topic, drawn                 from at least three academic disciplines. Appropriate IS course work may be selected.                 Three courses must be science courses and one must be a statistics course.

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 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. Popular concentrations are: Business Issues, Communications (including Advertising, Journalism and Public Relations), Environmental Issues, Pre-health, and Pre-Law.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2004-2006 Undergraduate Catalog
Volume 30, Number 1
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

Statement on Equal Educational Opportunity
The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, and veteran status. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.