Integrated Studies

Contact: Professor Tracy Routsong, PhD, Director

Mission

The Integrated Studies program aims to foster cross-disciplinary connections in preparation for the complexity of a global society.

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies allows students the opportunity to blend resources in a sound and creative manner. Consistent with the mission of the University and the College of Arts and Sciences, students are able to individualize their academic experiences. This degree can provide a broad, general studies focus, or a more concentrated development of an emphasis delivered in a variety of platforms including online, face-to-face, and weekend options. This degree may be completed fully online.

The requirements of the BIS degree are based on the assumption that a multi-disciplinary approach is suitable for the depth of experience of an undergraduate student's degree. In particular, those students who desire exposure of various disciplines relevant to their personal interests, goals, aspirations, or career path will benefit from this degree. This program allows for more flexible and creative options toward reaching students' degree goals. Multi-disciplinary plans of study within the Bachelor of Integrated Studies may be created in one of two ways:

Unique, customized plan created by a student with the assistance of the director of the program.
Standard multi-disciplinary plan.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Bachelor of Integrated Studies should be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to engage in objective, multidisciplinary perspective taking. Outcome: Develop an ISP that includes two or more disciplines.
Integrate knowledge and modes of thinking drawn from two or more disciplines Outcome: Articulate how course materials integrate into a cohesive program in a reflection paper.
Integrate interdisciplinary understanding of a complex problem or intellectual question Outcome: Design and complete an interdisciplinary project.

Descriptions of Plans

Students interested in obtaining more information about the Bachelor of Integrated Studies should contact the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s office.

Individualized Study Plan: To meet the depth of experience component within traditional degree requirements, the student designs and submits for approval an Individualized Study Program (ISP). This ISP is formulated by selecting courses consistent with a specific focus, theme, or unifying conceptual principle with the approval of the BIS Director. All ISPs will have a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Multi-Disciplinary Study Plan: As the world becomes more complex, the needs for interdisciplinary educational experiences increases. To respond to this trend, groups of departments may design a Multi-disciplinary Study Program (MDSP) for approval by the Integrated Studies Advisory Committee (ISAC) and the BIS Director. Students who choose to pursue these "pre-approved" plans of study must complete the course-work identified by the participating departments or work with the BIS Director to find appropriate substitutions. All MDSPs will have a minimum of 30 credit hours but may have more depending on the individualized plan.

Two Areas of Emphasis
12 - 18 hours completed in each of two departments or disciplines, one of which must be within CAS.

Three Areas of Emphasis
12 - 18 hours will be completed in each of three departments or disciplines, two of which must be within CAS.

All programs require the completion of:

IS 389 Integrated Studies Capstone Proposal - Development (1 credit hour) plus IS 390 Integrated Studies Capstone - Project (2 credit hours)

Upper division courses may require prerequisites or consent of instructor. Programs must be formulated in consultation with the BIS Director. If considering a customized plan, use the standard pre-approved programs as models.

Pre-Approved Multi-Departmental Study Programs

The following pre-approved multi-departmental study programs (MDSPs) are currently available:

Course Offerings

IS 389 Integrated Studies Capstone Proposal (1)

This course is the prerequisite course to the IS 390 Capstone Project course and must be taken the semester immediately preceding IS 390 or special permission by the BIS Director. This course is designed to assist the student in developing an appropriate capstone project. Prerequisite: At least thirty completed hours from either the Individualized Study Plan (ISP) or the Multi-Disciplinary Study Plan (MDSP) or special permission by the BIS Director.

IS 390 Integrated Studies Capstone (1-7)

The thoughtful integration of diverse materials is a major demand on the student working toward a Bachelor of Integrated Studies. The format may vary in terms of the student’s special interests, abilities, imagination, and creativity. May consist of a research paper, a comprehensive written examination on selected reading materials, an oral presentation, or a special performance utilizing one or more art forms or modes of expression. Prerequisite: IS 389 or by consent of the BIS Director.

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