The Multidisciplinary Studies major is built around a thematic program of study that encompasses two or three disciplines, one of which must be in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program will consist of a minimum of 36 credits in the selected disciplines, 30 of which must be at the 300 level or above and constitute the Core courses of the major. (Experiential learning and courses in pedagogy may not be included in teh 300- and 400- level courses.) Ordinarily only three credits of either independent study or directed study may be included in the 30 credits of Core courses.
To become a Multidisciplinary Studies major, students must, before the end of the Junior year:
- Identify a faculty member who will act as academic advisor and who, along with the Director, will assist in the design of the new program
- Write a one-page description of the proposed program of study and complete a change of major form with the Director. The description should include the objectiveness of the program
- Develop, with the Director, a Contract containing the description and a list of the courses that will comprise the program. Substitution for courses in the Contract is allowed with proved
- Interested students should contact the Director of Multidisciplinary studies, at 508 508-8584
Multidisciplinary Studies Major
BA degree
For the BA degree, students must satisfy all College of Arts and Sciences requirements for that degree along with the program of courses listed in the Contract.
Multidisciplinary Studies Major
BS degree
For the BS degree, students must satisfy all College of Arts and Sciences requirements for that degree, along with the program of courses listed in the Contract. The Contract must contain the components of either of the two options given below:
Option 1
- 36 credtis in two or three sciences, * 30 of which are at the 300-level or higher.
- A two semester sequence of mathematics, if mathematics is not a component of the above requirement.
Option 2
- 15 credits at the 300-level or above in one or two sciences.
- 15 credits at the 300-level or above in one or two disciplines other than science.
- 9 credits in sciences at any level, other than disciplines included in the first requirement.
- A two-semester sequence of mathematics is not a component of the first or third requirements above.
* For these options, "sciences" include Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Science, Mathematics, Medical Laboratory Science, and Physics.
General Education Departmental Requirements
Students majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies must pay special attention to selecting courses so as to satisfy both their general education and college distribution requirements. Courses used to satisfy major and college distribution requirements may also be used to satisfy specific University General Education requirements.
The University General Education requirements in categories C and S, and Tier I of categories I and W are automatically met through the BA or BS versions of the Arts and Sciences college distribution requirements. Special care must be taken to identify specific courses that satisfy the D, E, and G categories. Students will normally satisfy "departmental" requirements in the Tier II General Education categories (I and W), and in the Oral Communication, through one of the Core discipline departments chosen for the major. Students are ultimately responsible for meeting all distribution and General Education requirements and should consult with their advisors on both major and General Education Requirements.
