Interdisciplinary Studies B.S.

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Minimum Requirements for Interdisciplinary B.S.: 120 credits

Concentrations: IndividualizedGlobal PerspectivesGeneral Studies

Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

Credits
General University Requirements
Complete the general university requirements.
General Education Requirements
Complete the general education requirements.35-40
B.S. Degree Requirements
Complete the B.S. degree requirements.15
Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements
Capstone
Complete the following:
INDS F401Interdisciplinary Capstone Portfolio1
Concentration
Complete one of the following:30 or more
Individualized 1
Global Perspectives 1
General Studies 2
Total Credits120
1

Students choose the title of their major and the courses within their major with the guidance of a faculty committee. 

2

The General Studies concentration provides a flexible bachelor's degree completion pathway for students who have faced obstacles to complete other UAF majors. This concentration is only available for students who have earned 90 or more credits, and they must be approved to graduate with this concentration by a committee appointed by the dean of the Division of Exploratory Studies and Academic Success. Students do not name their major if they choose the General Studies concentration.

Note: At least 39 upper-division (F300-F499) credits must be earned to complete any UAF bachelor's degree.

For more information visit the interdisciplinary studies website.

Concentrations

Individualized

Credits
Individualized Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
FYE F100First Year Seminar 31
INDS F301Interdisciplinary Methods2
An additional interdisciplinary capstone element will be approved by the student’s interdisciplinary committee. The capstone can be, but is not limited to, an internship, a research project, a thesis or a course. 4
Approved Individualized courses 527 or more
Total Credits30
3

Students who enter the interdisciplinary studies major with sophomore standing or higher can request to have FYE F100 waived by a memo from the director of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies.

4

The capstone for this concentration has two elements: 1) All students take INDS F401, a course which focuses on developing a portfolio and post-graduation planning. 2) The second element of the capstone should be unique and specific to an individual student's major. It should aim to connect the courses and learning outcomes of the major, demonstrate and/or apply concepts learned, and help prepare students for their post-graduation goals in a meaningful way.

5

An Individualized concentration must include coursework from more than one discipline, cannot be titled the same as an existing major and must demonstrate a cohesive body of knowledge and skills. Courses in the major must be approved by the director of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies, an advisory committee of at least three faculty members, the dean of the faculty committee chair and the dean of the Division of Exploratory Studies & Academic Success. An interdisciplinary studies major from UAF consists of a minimum of 30 credits, at least 12 of which have to be earned at UAF.

Global Perspectives

Credits
Global Perspectives Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
FYE F100First Year Seminar 31
INDS F301Interdisciplinary Methods2
An additional interdisciplinary capstone element will be approved by the student’s interdisciplinary committee. The capstone can be, but is not limited to, an internship, a research project, a thesis or a course. 4
Complete 27 or more credits from the following:27 or more
Approved Global Perspectives courses 6
A minimum of 6 foreign language credits 7
One semester of study abroad or foreign exchange outside of the U.S. 8
Total Credits30
3

Students who enter the interdisciplinary studies major with sophomore standing or higher can request to have FYE F100 waived by a memo from the director of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies .

4

The capstone for this concentration has two elements: 1) All students take INDS F401, a course which focuses on developing a portfolio and post-graduation planning. 2) The second element of the capstone should be unique and specific to an individual student's major. It should aim to connect the courses and learning outcomes of the major, demonstrate and/or apply concepts learned, and help prepare students for their post-graduation goals in a meaningful way.

6

Students in the Global Perspectives concentration should connect their major's learning outcomes and courses to an international or global theme. Interdisciplinary studies majors must include coursework from more than one discipline, cannot be titled the same as an existing major and must demonstrate a cohesive body of knowledge and skills. Courses in the major must be approved by the director of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies, an advisory committee of at least three faculty members, the dean of the faculty committee chair and the dean of the Division of Exploratory Studies & Academic Success. An interdisciplinary studies major from UAF consists of a minimum of 30 credits, at least 12 of which have to be earned at UAF.

7

Two semesters of UAF foreign language coursework at any level, or Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies department approved foreign language study away credits or transfer credits. These credits may be included in the student's Interdisciplinary Studies major or can be used to meet B.A. degree requirements. These credits can be in one or multiple languages.

8

1) Take at least 12 credits (when converted to U.S. semester credits) while studying abroad. 2) Courses must be from an institution that is approved by the UAF Study Away advisor or registrar's office.

General Studies

Credits
General Studies Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
Complete a Rationale Form
Students must be approved for the General Studies Concentration by a committee appointed by the dean of the Division of Exploratory Studies & Academic Success
Approved General Studies courses 930 or more
Total Credits30
9

Students in the General concentration will work with a degree completion advisor to choose classes that are meaningful and relevant to their educational interests and career goals from a variety of disciplines.

Catalog Department Overview ►

Admission Requirements

Complete the following admission requirements

Students may apply for admission or change their major to Interdisciplinary Studies, but in order to graduate with this major, there is an additional approval process. Students who have been admitted to, or who wish to change their major to Interdisciplinary Studies should start by scheduling an appointment with an advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies to determine which concentration is the best fit, and to get started on their academic planning and the approval process for their concentration. Once choosing their concentration with an interdisciplinary studies advisor, students should complete a declaration of concentration form and follow the guidelines listed below.

Additional guidance can be found on the Office of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies website and by meeting with an interdisciplinary studies advisor.

Individualized and Global Perspectives Concentrations

These concentrations are fully customized to an individual student’s unique learning outcomes.  Building an Interdisciplinary Studies major takes time, effort, and commitment from the student, and it is ultimately a student’s responsibility to make sure things are done well and on time. However, they will have the guidance of a multidisciplinary, three-person faculty committee and the help of the Office of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies(UIS) along the way. Students will work with their faculty committee and a UIS advisor to choose their major’s title, courses, capstone, and learning outcomes, which they will document on an Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor’s Approval Form. Once the form is drafted, students must have a formal faculty committee meeting to get feedback and apply edits. The form is then signed by the student, their faculty committee, the director of the UIS, the faculty committee chair’s dean, and the Dean of the Division of Exploratory Studies & Academic Success. The approved title of a student’s interdisciplinary major will appear on their transcript and diploma when they graduate as follows: “Your Title: Interdisciplinary Studies” and their concentration (and minor, if added) will be listed below. 

Timeline

We encourage students in the Individualized and Global Perspectives concentrations to meet with their committee and have their concentration fully approved by the end of their sophomore year, or the end of a transfer student’s second semester. The latest these concentrations can be approved is by the midterm of the semester before a student graduates. If that deadline is missed, the student may need to change to the General Studies concentration or postpone their graduation to the next semester. 

General Studies Concentration

The General Studies concentration provides a flexible bachelor's degree completion pathway for students who have faced obstacles to complete other UAF majors. This concentration is only available for students who have earned 90 or more credits. Students must complete a Rationale Form which can be found on the Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies website. A digital packet that includes a degree audit, a copy of the Rationale Form and a snapshot of DegreeWorks will be sent to the student to sign. This packet serves two functions: 1. to inform the student of their remaining requirements needed to graduate, and 2. to formally approve them to graduate with the General Studies concentration. The packet is reviewed and signed by an interdisciplinary studies advisor, and a committee appointed by the Dean of the Division of Exploratory Studies & Academic Success. Students do not name their major if they do the General Studies concentration. Students may not have a double major if they are in the General Studies concentration of the Interdisciplinary Studies major.

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Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.

Individualized Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FYE F100201COM F121X, F131X, or F141X13
LS F101X151General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
WRTG F111X13General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences4
General Education Requirement - Arts3Program Elective3
General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences4Complete one of the following: (*)3-4
Degree Requirement - Mathematics3-4
 
 15-16 16-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Education Requirement - Humanities3INDS F30120,252
General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
Degree Requirement - Natural Sciences4Degree Requirement - Natural Sciences4
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Complete one of the following:13Program Elective3
Program Elective or General Elective3
 
 
 
 16 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Degree Requirement - Ethics253Program Elective253
Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3Program Elective253
Program Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective3General Elective3
General Elective3 
 15 12
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
INDS F40120,21,251Program Elective253
Program Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253General Elective4
General Elective253 
 13 13
Total Credits 118-120

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Global Perspectives Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FYE F100201COM F121X, F131X, or F141X13
LS F101X151General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
WRTG F111X13General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences4
General Education Requirement - Arts3Program Elective3
General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences4Complete one of the following: (*)3-4
Degree Requirement - Mathematics3-4
 
 15-16 16-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Education Requirement - Humanities3INDS F30120,252
General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
Degree Requirement - Natural Sciences4Degree Requirement - Natural Sciences4
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Complete one of the following:13Program Elective3
Program Elective or General Elective3
 
 
 
 16 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Degree Requirement - Ethics253Program Elective253
Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3Program Elective253
Program Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253General Elective3
General Elective3 
 15 12
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
INDS F40120,21,251Program Elective253
Program Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253General Elective4
General Elective253 
 13 13
Total Credits 118-120

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

General Studies Concentration

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FYE F100201COM F121X, F131X, or F141X13
LS F101X151General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
WRTG F111X13General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences4
General Education Requirement - Arts3Program Elective3
General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences4Complete one of the following: (*)3-4
Degree Requirement - Mathematics3-4
 
 15-16 16-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
General Education Requirement - Humanities3General Education Requirement - Social Sciences3
General Education Requirement - Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences3Degree Requirement - Natural Sciences4
Degree Requirement - Natural Sciences4Program Elective3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
Complete one of the following:13Program Elective3
Program Elective or General Elective2
 
 
 
 16 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Degree Requirement - Ethics253Program Elective253
Degree Requirement - Alaska Native-themed3Program Elective253
Program Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253General Elective3
General Elective3 
 15 12
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
INDS F40120,21,251Program Elective253
Program Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253Program Elective or General Elective253
Program Elective or General Elective253General Elective4
General Elective3 
 13 13
Total Credits 118-120

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Catalog Department Overview ►

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate strong communication skills
  • Connect concepts across disciplines
  • Do critical self assessment
  • Demonstrate practical applications of academic concepts
  • Develop their own learning objectives within their major