The objective of the interdisciplinary studies degree is to provide students with the opportunity to design specific programs of study of an interdisciplinary nature when the student's needs or desires do not fall within a currently prescribed program. Individual study plans draw from courses offered in two or more departments.
The interdisciplinary program has both a thesis option and a nonthesis option. A student choosing the thesis option may use up to six credits of Inter 500 toward the degree.
There is no typical study plan for an interdisciplinary studies degree program. Each student seeking such a degree must, with the counsel of a major professor, develop a study plan and identify a program committee, subject to the following constraints: the program committee must have at least four members; the program committee must have at least one member from each of the principal departments or disciplines involved in the student's program and one member appointed by the vice provost for research and graduate studies; at least one-half of the program committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty.
The proposed program and study plan must be unanimously approved by the student's program committee and the vice provost for research and graduate studies.
The program generally is administered by the department of which the student's major professor is a member. For both the thesis and nonthesis options, there must be a comprehensive examination that evaluates the student's ability to integrate all disciplines included in the program and to respond logically to related questions of a general nature. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a typed statement specifically describing the student's interdisciplinary proposal (including the reasons for undertaking such a program) are required for consideration for admission to the interdisciplinary studies program. The general university credit requirements for the M.A. and M.S. degrees apply to the interdisciplinary studies degree as well; see part 2 for the requirements applicable to all M.A. and M.S. degrees.
Procedural details for developing, receiving approval for, and carrying out an interdisciplinary degree program are available from the Graduate College.
Inter 300 (s) Seminar (cr arr).
Inter 394 Technology and Societal Decisions (3 cr).
Inter 400 (s) Seminar (cr arr).
Inter 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr).
Inter 411 Principles of Environmental Studies I (3 cr).
Inter 438 Pesticides in the Environment (3 cr).
Inter 490 Technology and Human Values (2-3 cr).
Inter 497 Tutor Training (1 cr).
Inter 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr).
Inter 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr).
Inter 501 (s) Seminar (cr arr). Prereq: perm.
Inter 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr). Prereq: perm.
Inter 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr). Prereq: perm.
Inter 504 (s) Special Topics (cr arr). Prereq: perm.
Inter 511 Principles of Environmental Studies II (3 cr). Documents required in environmental studies, mechanics of preparing, use, and meaning of each for environmental action and/or application. Prereq: Inter 411.
Inter 521 Permitting Philosophy and Application (3 cr). History of permitting and licensing related to environmental policy act both public and private, regulatory agencies, and permit applications for environmental programs. Prereq: Inter 511.
Inter 551 Environmental Toxicology (3 cr). General principles in environmental toxicology; pollutants and transport-toxic impacts assessed.
Inter 589 Water Resources Seminar (1 cr). Same as AgE, CE, Fish, For, Geol, or GeolE 589. Reports by faculty members and grad students on current problems and projects; reports are organized to give maximum interchange of ideas between divisions.
Inter 599 (s) Research (cr arr). Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation. Prereq: perm.
IS 400 (s) Seminar (cr arr).
IS 403 (s) Workshop (cr arr).
IS 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr).
IS 406 (s) Study Abroad (cr arr).
IS 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr).