Program Overview

Introduction to the Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program

The Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program (IISP) at the University of Connecticut offers students the opportunity to create a personalized major that aligns with their academic and professional goals. This program is designed for students who have unique interests and career aspirations that may not be met by traditional majors.

Program Overview

The IISP program allows students to design their own major by combining courses from multiple disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field and prepares them for a wide range of career opportunities.

Program Requirements

To participate in the IISP program, students must:

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Complete a capstone project or thesis
• Meet with their academic advisor regularly to ensure they are on track to graduate

Honors in IMJR

A significant number of individualized majors are in the Honors Program. To complete the honors requirements in the individualized major, students must:

• Indicate their intention to fulfill honors requirements in the Quest portal at the time of application to the Individualized Major Program
• Complete 12 Honors credits in the major, including:
  • Six credits for the thesis project
  • Six additional credits in the major, which can be Honors sections, conversions, or graduate-level courses
• Complete three additional Honors credits at any level in a related area, as approved by the Director of IISP
• Fulfill the Engagement in the Major Field requirement by presenting their thesis findings to a public audience

Advising

The Director of IISP serves as the honors advisor, and students may also consult with honors advisors in the disciplines represented in their major and with their faculty advisors.

Double Majors

Students who are double-majoring may choose the major in which they plan to complete their Honors requirements. If they wish to pursue honors in both majors, they should consult the Honors web page for more information.

Thesis Project

The Honors thesis project in the Individualized Major must be a minimum of six credits, typically consisting of:

• Three credits of independent study (thesis research) in the Fall semester of the senior year
• Three credits of UNIV 4697W Senior Thesis in the Spring semester
• Students must identify a thesis topic and a faculty supervisor no later than the second semester of their junior year
• A thesis proposal must be submitted no later than the last day of classes of the semester before the project begins

Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal should include a description of the project and must be submitted online. The proposal helps students define the scope of their research and may be refined as they conduct their research.

Thesis Presentation and Submission

Students must make a public presentation of their findings in a format and venue determined in consultation with their supervisor. They must also submit an IMJR thesis approval form and an electronic copy of their completed thesis to the IISP office.

Course Registration for the Thesis

For the first half of the thesis, students register for an independent study or research course with their thesis supervisor. For the second half, they register for UNIV 4697W, for which their thesis supervisor serves as instructor.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The IISP program also offers several interdisciplinary minors, including:

• Crime and Justice Minor
• Global Studies Minor
• European Studies Minor

Conclusion

The Individualized and Interdisciplinary Studies Program at the University of Connecticut provides students with the flexibility to create a personalized major that aligns with their academic and professional goals. With its interdisciplinary approach and honors options, this program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities and helps them develop a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field.