Graduate Bulletin
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1996-1997
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Interdisciplinary Programs and Courses
When special needs and interests cannot be met adequately by any of the existing advanced degree programs, a student may propose a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. This degree provides the unusually well qualified student an opportunity for highly individualized graduate studies composed of coursework in two or more departments or colleges. The degree is administered by the Graduate Division and Research and follows procedures established by the Graduate Council.
The proposed program must be approved by the department chairs and deans concerned. It must not be substantially available in a current graduate program offered at this University, and it must have adequate focus and coherence in cognate disciplines. Prerequisite courses will be required to support the courses in the student's program of study.
A graduate supervisory committee and a field of study shall be chosen, subject to the approval of the Dean of the Graduate Division and Research, in consultation with the Student Affairs Committee of the Graduate Council. The supervisory committee shall consist of not less than three full-time faculty representative of the areas in which the student intends to pursue the degree. The graduate dean, or his designee, shall serve on the committee as an ex officio member.
Since the inception of this program in 1977, individual students have undertaken graduate programs in such subjects as paleobiology, folklore and mythology, molecular biology, museum studies, infant development, animal behavior, sports psychology, environmental resource management, environmental economics, primitive Christianity, gerontology, and learning interface design.
In addition to satisfying the requirements for admission to the University with classified graduate standing, as described in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must (1) possess an appropriate academic background for the proposed program and have achieved an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0; and (2) complete the GRE General Test with a satisfactory score on the verbal and quantitative sections. Normally, students applying to the University for the first time are not admitted directly into the Interdisciplinary Studies program. Contact the Graduate Division and Research for further information.
In addition to satisfying the general requirements of the University for advancement to candidacy, as stated in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must satisfy the special requirements for advancement defined by the supervisory committee in the official program of study. These requirements will include demonstrated proficiency in at least one appropriate research tool, ordinarily the reading knowledge of a foreign language, but for some programs, advanced statistics or computer programming may be more appropriate.
- 1. In addition to satisfying the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master's degree, as described in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must complete a graduate program of at least 30 units of courses acceptable for advanced degree credit.
- 2. The official program of study must reflect careful and deliberate planning. The selection and level of courses will be based on the best standards and practices of the disciplines involved. Normally no more than six units which have been taken prior to approval of the official program of study may apply on the degree.
- 3. In consultation with the supervisory committee, the student will determine the subject of the research for a thesis that will be completed as the culminating experience in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree. Satisfactory completion of the thesis will be determined by the supervisory committee.
- 1. A prospective applicant interested in being considered for the Interdisciplinary Studies program should complete and follow the instructions on the form, "Request for Permission to Pursue an Interdisciplinary Studies Master's Degree," which is available in the Graduate Division. The applicant must initially seek out a potential faculty adviser and two additional faculty members who have the expertise and interest in advising and supporting the applicant in the proposed program of study.
- 2. When the student's portion of the form has been completed, the major adviser selected, and other potential supervisory committee members contacted, an appointment with the assistant dean of the Graduate Division and Research should be arranged. Both the applicant and the proposed major adviser should be present at this meeting. Other proposed committee members are welcome to participate in these discussions.
- 3. Following this meeting and after making any modifications to the proposed program eventuating from it, the student must present for approval the "Request for Permission to Pursue an Interdisciplinary Studies Master's Degree" to the chairs of departments in which courses are being proposed and to the deans of colleges responsible for these academic units.
- 4. The student will then present the "Request," endorsed with appropriate departmental and college approvals, to the Graduate Division and Research, where it will be reviewed by the Student Affairs Committee of the Graduate Council. Upon the recommendation of that committee, the "Request" will be forwarded to the graduate dean, whose final endorsement will certify that the "Request" has been approved as an official program of study, that the supervisory committee has been formally appointed, and that the student has been granted classified graduate standing for the purpose of pursuing the special major.
- 5. Virtually all other requirements for this major are the same as those for other master's degree programs, as specified in this bulletin. Special questions should be directed to the approved graduate major adviser or the Graduate Division and Research.
797. Research (1-3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy.
Independent research in a specialized subject. Maximum six units applicable to a master's degree.
798. Special Study (1-3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Independent study. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
799A. Thesis or Project (3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisites: An officially appointed thesis committee and
advancement to candidacy.
Preparation of a project or thesis for the master's degree.
799B. Thesis or Project Extension (0) Cr/NC
Prerequisite: Prior registration in Thesis 799A with an assigned
grade symbol of SP.
Registration in any semester or term following assignment of SP in Course 799A in which the student expects to use the facilities and resources of the university; also student must be registered in the course when the completed thesis or project is granted final approval.
