Biological Illustration | IDS

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognizes that students' academic and professional interests may include more than one discipline and that some majors are not formally available at the university. Because interdisciplinary approaches, research, and curricular activities are becoming increasingly appropriate and valuable within the liberal arts and sciences and other fields, UF students have the option to develop and pursue interdisciplinary (IDS) majors that cross the boundaries of numerous disciplines.

About this Program

This program provides a broad program in biological illustration to students preparing to work with museums, university botany, zoology, entomology, anthropology or medical departments and botanical gardens or research organizations.

Enrollment is restricted because of the tutorial nature of much of the instruction. The program admits only a few well-qualified students each year.

For this specialization only, students need to apply in their second semester at UF.

The interdisciplinary studies major in biological illustration provides knowledge of and competence in biology, structural biology and structural zoology. Students will know and use the scientific approach to gather and verify knowledge. Students will be able to draw appropriate conclusions and inferences from properly conducted laboratory research. They will be able to evaluate the significance, quality and veracity of information gathered via experiment and literature and to apply them effectively. Students will also possess the ability to articulate results clearly and effectively.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Satisfactorily complete IDS 4906 (capping 7-12 credits of thesis research), graded according to department rubric.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in biology, structural botany and structural zoology.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the scientific approach to gather and verify knowledge.

Critical Thinking

  1. Draw appropriate conclusions and inferences from properly conducted laboratory research.
  2. Evaluate the significance, quality and veracity of information gathered via experiment and literature and apply them effectively.

Communication

  1. Articulate research results clearly and effectively in speech and in writing in an accepted style of presentation.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5
IDS 4906, course 1 I, R I, R I, R I, R I, R
IDS 4906, course 2 R, A R, A R, A R, A R, A
IDS 4906 is the only required course for this major (or equivalent with other prefixes)

Assessment Types

  • Direct assessment of research in the thesis