Morgan Hall
Room 108
(785) 231-1010 ext. 1636

The Major
Return to Catalog Index

Source: 2003-2004 Catalog

(Pending Board of Regents approval)

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies requirements are based on the assumption that the depth of experience component of a baccalaureate degree may be adequately provided by utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach. In particular, those students who do not plan to seek post baccalaureate education in a specific field still might benefit greatly from a relatively brief exposure to fundamental aspects of selected disciplines relevant to their personal interests, goals, aspirations, or career path, despite never completing the full set of major requirements in a discipline.

Multi-disciplinary plans of study within the Bachelor of Integrated Studies may be created in one of two ways:

1. Unique, customized plan created by a student and
2. Standard multi-disciplinary plan created by a group of departments.

Creation of a Customized Plan. To meet the depth of experience component of the degree requirements, the student designs and submits for approval an Individualized Study Program (ISP). This ISP is formulated by selecting courses from two (or more) Emphasis Areas, or by selecting courses which are consistent with a specific focus, theme, or unifying conceptual principle.

A five-member Bachelor of Integrated Studies Advisory Committee (ISAC) chaired by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean or the Dean’s designee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and approving each BIS Individualized Study Program (ISP). Working with a member of the ISAC, students will develop an ISP proposal. The committee will review ISPs submitted, and approve or modify ISPs. Generally, an ISP will have to be approved (by majority vote) at least one year (24 credit hours) before expected graduation. In exceptional situations, the ISAC at its discretion may consider appeals to approve an ISP one semester (12 credit hours) before graduation.

Completion of Departmentally-Generated Multi-Disciplinary Plan. As the world becomes more complex, the needs for interdisciplinary educational experiences increases. To respond to this trend, groups of departments may design a Multi-disciplinary Study Program (MDSP) for approval by the five-member Integrated Studies Advisory Committee (ISAC). Such Multi-Departmental Study Programs require the approval of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the Dean of any academic unit participating in such a program. Students who choose to pursue these “pre-approved” plans of study must complete the course-work identified by the participating departments.