Goals
The Office of Interdisciplinary Studies offers the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree to meet the following goals:
- To make available an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary program that will allow qualified students to work closely and creatively with an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary advisor and faculty advisor to design and implement an approved plan of study.
- To provide opportunities to bridge concepts across University College and the University’s existing degree granting colleges by enhancing and expanding current interdisciplinary efforts.
- To facilitate important intellectual and practical skills through inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, and written and oral communication, as well as integrative and applied learning through synthesis of diverse curricula through general and specialized studies.
The Office of Interdisciplinary Studies offers the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree which provides educational opportunities not available through the existing traditional degree programs. The Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) emphasizes an open learning experience and a wider perspective than traditional undergraduate majors. The BIS offers the student the opportunity to participate in a flexible, coherent, academically sound, and goal- 93 oriented education relevant to the student's intellectual development and career aspirations. This program is appropriate for those students who seek a thorough foundation in the traditional arts and sciences from an interdisciplinary perspective. Because of the individualized focus and flexibility, BIS is appropriate for students preparing to enter the workplace and for those who plan to continue their studies in graduate or professional school.
The BIS offers an avenue by which students may take advantage of the rich offerings available in the several colleges at Alabama State University. Students have flexibility in developing a course of study appropriate to their goals by selecting courses from several colleges/departments/program minors or concentrations at Alabama State University. In addition to organized courses, students must participate in the BIS Capstone to combine academic and practical experience.
Students may also include approved transfer courses from other colleges if applicable to the BIS. Working in consultation with a BIS adviser, each student in the BIS program becomes an active partner in the formulation of his or her program of study. In other words, the BIS is a tailored program of study which meets each students’, particular educational needs, desires, and interests.
The function of the BIS program is NOT to “pull together” an assortment of coursework at the last minute in an effort to facilitate a student’s graduation. A proposal should be planned early in a student’s career and should reflect a logical, consistent course of study based on acceptable student objectives. Within the framework of two or three foundation areas, a University-wide interdisciplinary studies sequence, a student may draw upon the resources of the Academy to create a degree program.
Applicants to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program must satisfy the admission requirements for Alabama State University and, in addition, must have an Alabama State University cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. Matriculation into the program can occur only after the BIS Advisory Committee approves a student’s program of study. The application procedure for this degree program and faculty advisement is a mandatory component of this process. The BIS degree is supervised by the Interdisciplinary Studies Director, the Interdisciplinary Studies Advisory Committee, faculty and staff.