BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Interdisciplinary studies

Southern offers a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies for students whose professional objectives are not met by the University’s established majors. The difference between this program and traditional B.S. degrees is that it does not restrict students to a single major, but rather allows them to broaden their studies by selecting three minors of 18 credits each. The minors may be existing ones, or an approved self-designed 18-credit interdisciplinary minor. Students may not select more than one existing minor from the same discipline. A self-designed interdisciplinary minor must be approved by the Liberal Studies Program Director and the Liberal Studies Academic Advising Coordinator in consultation with the Liberal Studies Committee prior to the completion of more than 9 credits in the proposed minor and the completion of 60 credits overall (75 credits for transfer students). Students who have earned more than 60 credits (75 credits for transfer students) may file a written appeal with the Liberal Studies Committee for waiver of this requirement detailing the reasons which would warrant an exception to the policy. General Education credits used to satisfy AUR or LEP requirements may not also be counted towards an interdisciplinary minor. Students who enter the B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies degree program with more than 60 credits (75 credits for transfer students) are advised that more than 120 credits may be required to complete the degree.

Like all students at the University, B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies degree earners must also satisfy the AUR
or LEP requirements for the B.S. degree, depending upon the general education program (AUR or LEP)
under which they were admitted to the University. AUR requirements for the B.S. Interdisciplinary
Studies degree consist of 41-53 credits. LEP requirements for the B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies degree
consist of 48-57 credits. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required for acceptance into the B.S. Interdisciplinary
Studies degree program. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in each minor in order to graduate from the
program. In addition, students must also complete at least 36 credits at the 300 level or higher and IDS
401W: Capstone Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies. With approval of the Liberal Studies Program
Director and the Liberal Studies Academic Advising Coordinator in consultation with the Liberal Studies
Committee, students may substitute a 300- or 400-level writing intensive (W) or tier 3 LEP capstone
course in one of their minor areas for IDS 401W. The approved substitute course would be in addition
to the required 18 credits in the minor area. In the case of a non-W tier 3 LEP course approved as a IDS
401W substitution, students must still fulfill all W course requirements for graduation.
 
Students interested in an interdisciplinary approach to the study of science may choose the Molecular
Biology-Biochemistry and Environmental Studies options for a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students
enroll in an equal number of courses in chemistry, biology, and environmental science as well as courses
in physics, mathematics, computer science, and earth science. The academic background provided in
these specializations allows students to pursue graduate study in biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical
chemistry, forensics, environmental studies, environmental law, or medical, dental, veterinary, and
chiropractic schools, or industrial opportunities in pharmaceuticals, university research, cosmetics,
hospitals, medical technology, environmental management, and other fields. Depending on an
individual student’s program, opportunities exist for internship and/or a cooperative education
experience. Students are encouraged to ask their advisers whether this type of credit may be applied to
their program.
 
Students interested in the B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies degree can obtain further information by
contacting the Academic Advisement Center, WT, (203) 392-5367.