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BS - Interdisciplinary Science

What is an Interdisciplinary Science degree?

Because of the increasing importance of science and technology in our daily lives, Florida tech has recognized the need for an interdisciplinary science degree program that allows a student to enroll in a wide variety of science courses, supplemented by certain core courses and several carefully chosen electives. The most important characteristics of this degree are that it is flexible and tailored to the individual student's needs, and that it emphasizes broad training in science. The graduate with an interdisciplinary science degree will have a well-rounded appreciation of science and its place in society, and will have acquired specific tools for his or her career. The military science option prepares Florida Tech ROTC cadets to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Army.

Advantages

Why Florida Tech:

• Individual attention
• Solid graduate school preparation
• Personally tailored program of study
• Research and publication opportunities
• Utilize high-tech labs and facilities

Curriculum

Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.

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Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Science

Because of the increasing importance of science and technology in our daily lives, Florida Tech has recognized the need for an interdisciplinary program in the sciences that allows a student to enroll in a wide variety of science and engineering courses, supplemented by certain core courses and several carefully chosen electives. The most important characteristics of this degree are that it is flexible and tailored to the individual student’s needs, and that it emphasizes broad training in science. The graduate will have a well-rounded appreciation of science and its place in society, and will have acquired specific tools for his or her career.

The bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary science is intended for students who plan graduate study in professional fields, those who are interested in a broad-based degree oriented toward the sciences or engineering, former science and engineering students who want a degree with wider scope and students seeking military careers.

Graduates normally seek employment opportunities in aerospace, environmental science, medicine and health technology, personnel administration, purchasing, development, management, the military, social work, marketing; in general, a wide variety of positions requiring an interdisciplinary background, as well as opportunities for advanced study, especially in the professional fields.

Because of the great flexibility of the interdisciplinary science program, it is important that a student plan his or her program with an adviser as soon as possible. The student’s committee will be composed of those faculty deemed most appropriate to the student’s goals and objectives. A committee normally consists of three members, including the adviser.

The basic requirements of the degree are given below, followed by a sample four-year program. The interdisciplinary science courses are chosen by the student to conform to his or her program plan. These courses must have the approval of the student’s adviser and committee, as well as the program director. Students should start with a firm idea about the purpose of their degree and plan the program accordingly. The adviser will present some explicit four-year programs and suggest ideas about what courses are available, but each four-year program is tailored to specific needs, and therefore must be developed jointly by the student and adviser. Before enrolling for more than 30 credit hours, the student is required to file a detailed plan of study. The plan must list the courses the student wishes to take. If the objectives change, modifications of the plan of study will be allowed if approved by the student’s adviser. During the final semester, as part of the capstone experience, the student is required to write and present a paper.

Degree Requirements

Interdisciplinary Science (43 credit hours)
At least 21 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses.

Liberal Arts Electives (12 credit hours)
At least 6 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses and at least 3 credit hours must be in the social sciences.

Physical or Life Science Electives (8 credit hours)

Technical Electives (22 credit hours)
At least 3 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses.

Free Electives (6 credit hours)

Capstone Seminar (1 credit hour)
Usually completed during the senior year.

Curriculum

The interdisciplinary science curriculum is extremely flexible since many students enter this major after several semesters at Florida Tech. Although program plans are typically designed on a student-by- student basis to meet individual needs and interests while fulfilling all degree requirements listed above, the following provides a general model that may be followed by students.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 125