Program Overview
Interdisciplinary Sciences Program
The Interdisciplinary Science program is designed for students who want a broadly based education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math rather than an in-depth study of one field. Because some professional and graduate schools prefer their applicants to demonstrate excellence in a specific discipline, the Interdisciplinary Science major considering graduate or professional (dentistry, medicine, optometry, or veterinary medicine) studies should consult a faculty advisor.
Program Overview
- Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Major: Interdisciplinary Sciences
- Minor: Interdisciplinary Sciences
- College: Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
- CIP Code: 30.0101
- Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120
Interdisciplinary Sciences Specialization
The BS in Interdisciplinary Sciences is a multidisciplinary program that provides a strong foundation in one area of the sciences and flexibility to add content and skills from other HMCSE STEM programs. The academic goal of this program is to afford students the opportunity to make connections between ideas and concepts across disciplinary boundaries and to be capable of defining and examining scientific problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Program Requirements
In addition to the university's general requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences must meet the requirements listed below.
- A grade of "C-" or better is required in all courses applied to this academic program.
- Consult with your academic advisor for courses that may satisfy both the General Education requirements and program course prerequisites.
General Education
Interdisciplinary Science majors should satisfy the mathematics (6 semester hours) and natural science (6 semester hours) components of General Education with coursework taken from the recommendations shown below.
Communication
- ENC 1101: English Composition I (Core) - 3 hours
- ENC 1102: English Composition II (Breadth) - 3 hours
- Communication Elective Options:
- CRW 2001: Introduction to Creative Writing
- MMC 2000: Principles of Mass Communication
- SPC 2608: Public Speaking
Humanities
Choose one course from the Humanities Core and one additional course from either the Humanities Core or the Humanities Breadth.
- Humanities Core Options:
- ARH 1000: Art Appreciation
- HUM 2020: Introduction to Humanities
- HUM 2020H: Honors Introduction to Humanities
- LIT 2000: Introduction to Literature
- MUL 2010: Music Appreciation
- PHI 2010: Introduction to Philosophy
- THE 2000: Theatre Appreciation
- Humanities Breadth Options:
- AML 2010: American Literature I
- AML 2020: American Literature II
- AMS 2010: Civil Discourse and the American Political Order
- ARH 2050: Western Survey I: Prehistory to the Medieval Period
- ARH 2051: Western Survey II: Renaissance to Contemporary
- ART 1015C: Exploring Artistic Vision
- ENL 2010: History of English Literature I
- ENL 2020: History of English Literature II
- LIT 2030: Introduction to Poetry
- MUH 2004: The Music Experience - Concerts
- PHI 2103: Critical Thinking
- PHI 2603: Ethics in Contemporary Society
- REL 1300: World Religions
- THE 2300: Survey of Dramatic Literature
Mathematics
Choose one course from the Mathematics Core and one additional course from either the Mathematics Core or the Mathematics Breadth.
- Mathematics Core Options:
- MAC 1105: College Algebra
- MAC 1105C: College Algebra with Lab
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- MGF 1130: Mathematical Thinking
- STA 2023: Elements of Statistics
- Mathematics Breadth Options:
- MAC 1114: Trigonometry
- MAC 1140: Precalculus Algebra
- MAC 1147: Precalculus with Trigonometry
- MAC 2233: Calculus with Business Applications
- MAC 2312: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
- MGF 1131: Mathematics in Context
- STA 2360: Introduction to Data Science
Natural Sciences
Choose one course from the Natural Sciences Core and one additional course from either the Natural Sciences Core or the Natural Sciences Breadth.
- Natural Sciences Core Options:
- AST 1002: Descriptive Astronomy
- BSC 1005: General Biology for Non-Majors
- BSC 1085: Anatomy and Physiology I
- BSC 2010: Biology I
- CHM 1020: Concepts in Chemistry
- CHM 2045: General Chemistry I
- ESC 2000: Introduction to Earth Science
- EVR 2001: Introduction to Environmental Science
- EVR 2001H: Honors Introduction to Environmental Science
- GLY 2010: Physical Geology
- PHY 1020: Conceptual Physics
- PHY 2048: Calculus-Based Physics I
- PHY 2048C: Calculus-Based Physics I Studio
- PHY 2053: Algebra-Based Physics I
- PHY 2053L: Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
- Natural Sciences Breadth Options:
- ANT 2511: Biological Anthropology
- AST 2037: Life in the Universe
- BOT 2010: General Botany
- BSC 1050: Fundamentals of Ecology
- BSC 1086: Anatomy and Physiology II
- BSC 2011: Biology II
- BSC 2311: Introduction to Oceanography and Marine Biology
- CGS 2020: Introduction to Machine Learning
- CHM 2046: General Chemistry II
- MCB 1000: Fundamentals of Microbiology
- PHC 2082: Informatics and Your Health
- PHY 2049: Calculus-Based Physics II
- PHY 2054: Algebra-Based Physics II
Social Sciences
Choose one course from the Social Sciences Core and one additional course from either the Social Sciences Core or the Social Sciences Breadth.
- Social Sciences Core Options:
- AMH 2010: United States to 1877
- AMH 2020: United States Since 1877
- ANT 2000: Introduction to Anthropology
- ECO 2013: Principles of Economics Macro
- POS 2041: American Politics
- PSY 2012: General Psychology
- Social Sciences Breadth Options:
- ANT 2100: Introduction to Archaeology
- CCJ 2002: Survey of Crime and Justice
- CIS 2530: Introduction to Cybersecurity
- COM 2023: Death and Communication
- CPO 2002: Comparative Politics
- DEP 2004: Human Development Across the Lifespan
- EUH 1000: Western Perspectives I
- EUH 1001: Western Perspectives II
- FIN 2104: Personal Finance
- GEA 2000: Nations and Regions of the World
- GEB 1011: Introduction to Business
- HIS 2050: Explore History
- HSC 2100: Personal, Family and Community Health
- INR 2002: International Politics
- PLA 2013: Survey of American Law
- PLA 2013H: Honors Survey of American Law
- SPM 2010: Sport in Global Society
- SYG 2000: Introduction to Sociology
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program.
Biology and Computer Science Track Common Prerequisites
- BSC 2010 & 2010L: Biology I and Biology I Laboratory
- BSC 2011 & 2011L: Biology II and Biology II Laboratory
- CHM 2045 & 2045L: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
- CHM 2046 & 2046L: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory
- CHM 2210 & 2210L: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
- COP XXXX: Intro to Programming in ADA, C, C++, Pascal or equivalent language
- Choose one:
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- STA 2023: Elements of Statistics
- Choose one of the following groups:
- PHY 2053 & 2053L: Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2054 & 2054L: Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab
- PHY 2048 & 2048L: Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2049 & 2049L: Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
- Total Hours: 34-35
Biology and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track Common Prerequisites
- BSC 2010 & 2010L: Biology I and Biology I Laboratory
- CHM 2045 & 2045L: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
- CHM 2046 & 2046L: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- or STA 2023: Elements of Statistics
- GLY 2010 & 2010L: Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory
- Choose one:
- BSC 2011 & 2011L: Biology II and Biology II Laboratory
- BOT 2010 & 2010L: General Botany and General Botany Lab
- Choose one of the following groups:
- PHY 2053 & 2053L: Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2054 & 2054L: Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab
- PHY 2048 & 2048L: Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2049 & 2049L: Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
- Total Hours: 31-32
Computer Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track Common Prerequisites
- BSC 2010 & 2010L: Biology I and Biology I Laboratory
- BSC 2011 & 2011L: Biology II and Biology II Laboratory
- CHM 2045 & 2045L: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory
- CHM 2046 & 2046L: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- STA 2023: Elements of Statistics
- COP XXXX: Intro to Programming in ADA, C, C++, Pascal or equivalent language
- GLY 2010 & 2010L: Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory
- Choose one group:
- PHY 2053 & 2053L: Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2054 & 2054L: Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab
- PHY 2048 & 2048L: Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab
- PHY 2049 & 2049L: Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab
- Total Hours: 38
Lower Division Electives
Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division.
- Total Hours: 8-12
Tier 1 Major Courses
Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours (sh) of Tier 1 courses for their chosen track. At least six (6) sh must be completed from each discipline in the chosen track.
Biology and Computer Science Track
- Biology Course Options:
- PCB 3103 & 3103L: Cell Biology and Cell Biology Laboratory
- PCB 3063: Genetics
- MCB 3020 & 3020L: Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory
- BCH 3033 & 3033L: Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory
- PCB 4233 & 4233L: Immunology and Immunology Laboratory
- PCB 4524 & 4524L: Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Lab
- PCB 4673: Principles of Evolution
- PCB 4922: Biology Seminar
- PCB 4098 & 4098L: Concepts in Human Physiology and Concepts in Human Physiology Laboratory
- PCB 4723 & 4723L: Comparative Animal Physiology and Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory
- Computer Science Options:
- CEN 3031: Software Engineering I
- COP 3014: Algorithm and Program Design
- COP 3022: Intermediate Computer Programming
- COP 3530: Data Structures and Algorithms I
- COP 4710: Database Systems
- COT 3100: Discrete Structures
- Total Hours: 24
Biology and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track
- Biology Course Options:
- PCB 3103 & 3103L: Cell Biology and Cell Biology Laboratory
- PCB 3063 & 3063L: Genetics and Genetics Lab
- MCB 3020 & 3020L: Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory
- BCH 3033 & 3033L: Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory
- PCB 3097L: Introduction to Human Anatomy Laboratory
- PCB 4233 & 4233L: Immunology and Immunology Laboratory
- PCB 4524 & 4524L: Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Lab
- PCB 4673: Principles of Evolution
- PCB 4922: Biology Seminar
- PCB 4098 & 4098L: Concepts in Human Physiology and Concepts in Human Physiology Laboratory
- PCB 4723 & 4723L: Comparative Animal Physiology and Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Options:
- GEO 3210: Geomorphology
- GEO 4221 & 4221L: Coastal Morphology and Processes and Coastal Morphology and Processes Laboratory
- GEO 4250 & 4250L: Weather and Climate and Weather and Climate Lab
- GEO 4260 & 4260L: Geography of Soils and Geography of Soils Laboratory
- GEO 4280 & 4280L: Basic Hydrology and Basic Hydrology Lab
- GEO 4357: Environment and Economy
- GIS 4043 & 4043L: Geographic Information Systems and GIS Laboratory
- Total Hours: 24
Computer Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track
- Computer Science Options:
- CEN 3031: Software Engineering I
- COP 3014: Algorithm and Program Design
- COP 3022: Intermediate Computer Programming
- COP 3530: Data Structures and Algorithms I
- COP 4710: Database Systems
- COT 3100: Discrete Structures
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Options:
- GEO 3210: Geomorphology
- GEO 4221 & 4221L: Coastal Morphology and Processes and Coastal Morphology and Processes Laboratory
- GEO 4250 & 4250L: Weather and Climate and Weather and Climate Lab
- GEO 4260 & 4260L: Geography of Soils and Geography of Soils Laboratory
- GEO 4280 & 4280L: Basic Hydrology and Basic Hydrology Lab
- GEO 4357: Environment and Economy
- GIS 4043 & 4043L: Geographic Information Systems and GIS Laboratory
- Total Hours: 24
Tier 2 Courses
Students are required to complete a minimum total of 24 sh of which at least 18 sh must be earned at the 3000- or 4000-level within one contributing HMCSE department (Biology, Computer Sciences, or Earth & Environmental Sciences).
Minor
Students are strongly encouraged to consider the pursuit of a Minor as part of their academic program. The Minor should improve their career readiness by providing additional marketable skills and content knowledge. With advisor approval, the Minor may be earned outside of HMCSE.
Interdisciplinary Sciences Minor
A 12 semester hour (sh) Minor in Interdisciplinary Sciences (ISC) is available for students in a wide variety of Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering (HMCSE) and Usha Kundu, MD College of Health (UKMDCOH) majors. The ISC minor provides the opportunity to add value to the major degree and select courses that focus on a particular educational goal or expand their employment opportunities. The ISC minor is especially appropriate for students who require professional school prerequisite courses not included in their current major, for example, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physician Assistant professional schools.
- Choice of prerequisites as required by chosen professional school: 0-60 hours
- Students must complete 12 sh of advisor-approved 3000/4000 level electives in a field related to the student's career objectives from UKMDCOH AND/OR HMCSE: 12 hours
- Total Hours: 12-72