Interdisciplinary Studies | CLAS

The Bachelor’s degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies (BA, BS) are an ideal option for students who wish to supplement the depth of academic specialization by also embracing the breadth of curricular options available at UF and in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The flexibility of the Interdisciplinary Studies major provides students with a curriculum framework that will prepare them to pursue a particular intellectual interest, a professional ambition, or graduate study.

Because IDS specializations are flexible and designed for each student, they require application and college approval. For more information, see the relevant specialization.  Students interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary major should contact the director of the particular specialization listed or view the IDS information, including information on what is needed to apply, on the college's website.

There are three types of Interdisciplinary Study under this major:

• Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies
• Established Specializations
• General Interdisciplinary Studies

Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies | IDS

The Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies specialization is for students whose academic interests are not met by a traditional academic major. It is a program of study consisting of a coherent set of courses from two or more departments at UF. At least one of these departments must be from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Students may select a pre-established concentration or they may design their own. A self-designed major must be substantially different from a regular departmental major or major-plus-minor at UF. The plan of study must also have a clearly stated goal with a sound rationale for all courses to be taken in the program. Students may find it helpful to look at relevant majors in catalogues or on web sites from other universities as a model for their desired program.

The Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies specialization requires a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students write a senior thesis or complete a final project under the supervision of a faculty sponsor as a graduation requirement for this major. Students must select two regular faculty members who agree to work with them from the planning stages to completion of the thesis research proposal. At least one faculty advisor must be a member of CLAS; faculty advisors cannot be from the same department.

Students should begin planning early. They should declare a related CLAS major and then apply to IDS as early as semester four or at the latest by semester five. Transfer students must complete their first semester with a UF GPA of 3.0 before they can apply to this program. Late application may result in denial of admission to the program

Each applicant and their interdisciplinary program must be approved by the inter-college Committee on Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies and include at least 20 credits of 3000/4000-level coursework taken in two or more departments. All other CLAS degree requirements (e.g., foreign language, basic distribution, electives, etc.) must be met. The student must also take at least seven credits, but no more than 12, of IDS 4906 (or equivalent courses) under the direction of one or both of the supervisory faculty members and produce a senior thesis. Students must also complete 18 hours of elective courses at the 3000 level or above. These courses may complement the major.

Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies majors may also graduate with honors recognition. Requirements are the same as for department majors, with the additional provision that magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition must be recommended by two members of the student’s supervisory committee (including the principal supervisor), who will affirm that the student conducted an individual project in IDS 4906 (or equivalent).

Students in science tracks who are enrolled in IDS 4906 work 3-4 hours per week in the laboratory for each credit earned.

Students can find more information about the Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies specialization and frequently asked questions on the college’s website.  

Established Specializations

Biochemistry And Molecular Biology | IDS

Applicants with a strong background in basic chemistry and biology can pursue advanced-level work, including required courses in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, research in biochemistry and molecular biology and other electives in biochemistry and molecular biology, botany, chemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and zoology. Graduates will have excellent backgrounds for research in a variety of the basic medical sciences and are qualified for graduate and professional school programs.

Film And Media Studies | IDS

The Interdisciplinary BA with a specialization in film and media studies enables students to pursue a liberal arts approach to audiovisual studies. The courses offered provide a range of training from professional and applied (anthropology, architecture, education, and theatre) to historical and experimental (art, English, Germanic, Slavic and romance languages). The film and media studies major encourages students to integrate these offerings by working in both theory and production. For the senior thesis, a student may choose an essay, a film script, a short film or video, or work in a related medium.

Medieval And Early Modern Studies | IDS

This specialization focuses on medieval and early modern European culture and its influences on the modern world. Students examine the distinctive forms of cultural organization in these periods, obtain knowledge about medieval and early modern communities (monastic, chivalric, peasant, early urban), and familiarize themselves with some of the world's greatest literature. Students are encouraged to seek historical perspectives that can contribute to current discussions about ethnicity and nationality, colonialism, technologies and their effects, gender and sexuality and the characteristics of historical and fictional narratives. This IDS specialization involves critical thinking, textual analysis and creativity, and is excellent preprofessional preparation for careers in law, journalism, government services, medicine, library science, international work and teaching.

General Interdisciplinary Studies | IDS

The General specialization within Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to take advantage of work completed in different fields by combining them into a single course of study. The specialization is bookended by two required courses: an introduction to cross-disciplinarity designed for students’ first semester in the major, and a project-based capstone course as a culminating experience. Between the two, students pursue professional development coursework and complete two concentrations.

GRADUATING WITH HONORS

Interdisciplinary majors may also graduate with honors recognition. Requirements are the same as for department majors, with the additional provision that magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition must be recommended by two members of the student’s supervisory committee (including the principal supervisor).