Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)

Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) information  

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies is awarded in recognition of completion of an individually designed program of study not provided by existing majors. It may not be a minor variation of an existing program, and must draw from two or more disciplines. 

Requirements

1. Completion of a student-designed program of study consisting of at least 45 credits and approved by the Curriculum Committee. The plan of study will be thematic and designed to address the specific needs of the student wishing to pursue a particular course of study not available within currently offered majors. In the spirit of the interdisciplinary component of the program, the course of study must draw from two or more departments or programs, including at least one from the College of Arts and Sciences, from which the majority of credit will be drawn.
   1. The student will select at least two appropriate faculty advisors, one from each of the departments or programs from which the student will be taking the majority of courses. These advisors will serve as the “Board of Study” and will assist the student with the design of the course of study. At least 24 credits in the course of study must be taken after the semester in which the course of study is approved by the Curriculum Committee.
   2. The course of study will be submitted to the IDS coordinator in the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The IDS coordinator will verify that the course of study meets all degree requirements and will then submit it to the Curriculum Committee for approval.
   3. The proposal must include a rationale for the composed course of study, complete with specific education objectives and a description of how it will be determined that these objectives will have been met (portfolio, internship, research, major paper).
   4. Any subsequent changes to the course of study must be presented to the Curriculum Committee for approval, and will follow the normal procedure for the waiving of degree requirements.
   5. In the senior year, the student will present or produce a final project (IDS 498 , IDS 499 ). This final project will be subject to review by the Board of Study and one member of the CAS Curriculum Committee.
   6. Upon successful completion of the approved program of study, the Board of Study will present its recommendation that the Curriculum Committee grant final approval in anticipation of the conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Study.
2. Completion of the College of Arts and Sciences General Education requirements .
3. Completion of at least 120 credits, including at least 33 credits in upper division courses (numbered 300 or above).  See the Transfer of Credits   section of this Catalog for the rules governing transfer credits.
4. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) or better in the student’s total work at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Minimum Credits For the Degree: 120 credits