Multidisciplinary Science

http://gensci.uoregon.edu

Jana Prikryl, Program Director
65C Klamath Hall
jprikryl@uoregon.edu

A multidisciplinary science major allows students to design their own program of study in the natural sciences. Students choose their areas of specialization from a broad range of sciences, tailoring their studies to their specific interests and career goals.

The multidisciplinary science major is useful to students whose interests do not fit well within a single scientific field, as well as students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in health-related fields.

Multidisciplinary Science is different from traditional majors in that it pulls coursework from multiple STEM departments to provide students with a self-guided interdisciplinary education. Unlike many STEM majors, most MSCI students add the major during their junior or senior year. Assessment models that rely on learning outcomes based on the content of specific coursework and subdivided into yearly educational benchmarks are therefore not appropriate for the Multidisciplinary Science Program. Instead, the MSCI program outcomes are tied to its structure, which is designed to:

  • Provide students with interdisciplinary curricular choices that develop competencies important for all STEM fields. 
  • Emphasize and develop skillsets commonly sought by employers.
  • Address expectations of students entering the Multidisciplinary Science Program, for example timely degree completion.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Develop a personalized plan for timely degree completion in the MSCI program by thoughtfully selecting coursework from multiple STEM departments, taking into account the unique structure of the program and individual academic goals.
  • Analyze and articulate connections between chosen STEM disciplines and their applications to career objectives.
  • Explain the steps and limitations of the scientific methodology and apply this knowledge to critically evaluate scientific information as presented by popular and professional sources.
  • Articulate how the MSCI coursework develops skills that are highly valued by employers, such as critical thinking, problem solving, work ethic, collaboration, effective communication, and analysis and interpretation of quantitative information.

Multidisciplinary Science Major Requirements

Lower Division MATH/CS Requirement 18
Calculus I
Calculus for the Biological Sciences I
Select one of the following
Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
Elements of Discrete Mathematics I
Elementary Statistics I
Calculus for the Biological Sciences II
Calculus II
Statistical Methods I (Students who complete MATH 425 as part of the math requirement, cannot also use this same class towards the 32 credits of upper-division Multidisciplinary Science major requirements.)
Foundations Courses36-48
Select 3 sequences or 3-course combinations from the following; 2 sequences must include labs. 2, 3
Anthropology: Applies as a non-lab course combination
Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Required for ANTH course combination)
Select two of the following:
Principles of Archaeology
Introduction to Human Origins
Introduction to Monkeys and Apes
Evolution of Human Sexuality
Evolutionary Medicine
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
Human Evolution
Human Biological Variation
Biology: Applies as a lab sequence
General Biology I-IV (choose three: BI 211, BI 212, and either BI 213 or BI 214)
Honors Biology I-III
Chemistry: Can apply as either a lab sequence or a non-lab sequence
Select one of the following:
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
Honors General Chemistry
and Advanced General Chemistry Laboratory
Computer Science: Applies as a lab sequence
Computer Science I-III
Earth Sciences: Applies as a lab sequence
Dynamic Planet Earth (OR ERTH 101 with a mid-B or better grade)
Earth's Surface and Environment (OR ERTH 102 with a mid-B or better grade)
History of Life (OR ERTH 103 with a mid-B or better grade)
Geography: Applies as a non-lab course combination
The Natural Environment (Required for GEOG course combination)
Select two of the following:
Our Digital Earth
Climatology
Geomorphology
Biogeography
Watershed Science and Policy
Global Environmental Change
Physics: Can apply as a lab sequence or a non-lab sequence
Select one of the following:
General Physics
and Introductory Physics Laboratory
Foundations of Physics I
and Foundations of Physics Laboratory (must take all 3 terms of PHYS 290 for this to count as a lab sequence)
Upper Division32 credits of approved upper-division courses from the below departments 432
BI, CH, CS, ERTH, HPHY, MATH, PHYS, and PSYUpper-division courses from these departments are approved for the major.
ANTHUpper-division ANTH courses from the list below. Experimental courses (410) require program approval.
GEOGUpper-division GEOG courses from the list below. Experimental courses (410) require program approval.
Emphasis areas
At least twelve graded credits (not P/NP) must be in one department and at least twelve graded credits must be in a second department. We strongly encourage students to take all majors classes for a grade.
401-409
4 of the 32 credits may be research (401), thesis (403), or supervised college teaching (402) credits. Seminar, Readings & Conference, Practicum, Internship, and Tutorial credits (404-409) may not be used for the Multidisciplinary Science major.
Double Majors
upper division credits used for another major may not be used to satisfy MSCI requirements.
Minors in related fields
There is no MSCI imposed restriction on course overlap between the MSCI major and any minor (though the department offering the minor might have restrictions). We encourage you to look into minors in your emphasis areas.
Prerequisites
All students are subject to all prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and registration restrictions set by each department for its own courses. These things cannot be circumvented because one is a MSCI major. Please investigate the prerequisites and restrictions for the courses you are interested in taking early on.
Total Credits76-88
1

All students must demonstrate a proficiency in mathematics by passing calculus I and one additional math or computer science class from the provided list. All courses must be completed with grades of C– or P (pass) or better

2

All students must take three course sequences (or three course combinations in the case of ANTH and GEOG) from the provided list, two of which must include laboratories. The labs might be embedded in the class (as with BI, CS, and GEOL), or taken as separate courses (as with CH and PHYS). All courses must be completed with grades of C– or P (pass) or better, except ERTH 101-103 which must be completed with grades of mid-B or better.

3

If an upper-division course is used towards the Foundations requirements, the same course cannot also be used to satisfy the other upper-division MSCI requirements.

4

All courses must be completed with grades of C– or P or better. All upper division emphasis area courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Additional Requirements

At least 24 upper-division credits must be taken at the University of Oregon.

Approved Courses

Anthropology
ANTH 332Human Attraction and Mating Strategies4
ANTH 341Food Origins4
ANTH 349Origins of Art4
ANTH 361Human Evolution4
ANTH 362Human Biological Variation4
ANTH 366Human Osteology Laboratory4
ANTH 369Human Growth and Development4
ANTH 376Decoding Your Genome4
ANTH 442Northwest Coast Archaeology4
ANTH 443North American Archaeology4
ANTH 446Practical Archaeobotany4
ANTH 456Peopling of the Americas4
ANTH 459Advanced Evolutionary Medicine4
ANTH 462Primate Evolution4
ANTH 463Primate Behavior4
ANTH 467Paleoecology and Human Evolution4
ANTH 468Evolutionary Theory4
ANTH 470Statistical Analysis of Biological Anthropology4
ANTH 471Zooarchaeology: [Topic]4
ANTH 472Primate Conservation Biology4
ANTH 473Advanced Forensic Anthropology4
ANTH 474Human Skeletal Pathology4
ANTH 479Taphonomy: Bones, Bugs, and Burials4
ANTH 481Principles of Evolutionary Psychology4
ANTH 487Bioanthropology Methods4
Geography
GEOG 321Climatology4
GEOG 322Geomorphology4
GEOG 323Biogeography4
GEOG 341Population and Environment4
GEOG 342Geography of Globalization4
GEOG 343Society, Culture, and Place4
GEOG 360Watershed Science and Policy4
GEOG 361Global Environmental Change4
GEOG 425Hydrology and Water Resources4
GEOG 427Fluvial Geomorphology4
GEOG 430Long-Term Environmental Change4
GEOG 433Fire and Natural Disturbances4
GEOG 481GIScience I4
GEOG 482GIScience II4
GEOG 485Remote Sensing I4
GEOG 486Remote Sensing II4
GEOG 491Advanced Geographic Information Systems4
GEOG 493Advanced Cartography4
GEOG 494Spatial Analysis4
GEOG 495Geographic Data Analysis4
GEOG 497Qualitative Methods in Geography4

Multidisciplinary science courses must be completed with grades of C– or P (pass) or better. Courses graded N (no pass) or F may be repeated for credit, in accordance with university policy.

The upper-division requirements are for students who declared the multidisciplinary science major fall 2000 or later. Students who declared the major before fall 2000 follow the requirements that were in effect when they declared the major. Upper-division credits used to satisfy minimum requirements of another major may not be used to satisfy upper-division requirements in multidisciplinary science. At least 24 upper-division science credits must be completed at the University of Oregon to meet the multidisciplinary science residency requirement.

Upper-division courses may be selected from the multidisciplinary science website.

Honors Program

Students preparing to graduate with honors in multidisciplinary science should notify the program director no later than the first term of the senior year.

Honors in multidisciplinary science centers on a thesis, which is the culmination of research conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor. The advisor does not need to be a member of the Multidisciplinary Science Committee.

To graduate with honors, students must have at least a 3.50 overall grade point average and an average GPA of 3.50 or better in all classes counting towards the multidisciplinary science major. In addition, they must complete 6 credits (or equivalent experience pre-approved by MSCI Director) of Research (401) or Thesis (403) or both in an appropriate department. These credits must be distributed over at least two terms and cannot be used to fulfill emphasis-area requirements.

Upon approval of the thesis by the advisor and the program director, honors in multidisciplinary science are awarded.

For guidelines and calendar, contact the Multidisciplinary Science Program Director.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Science with Education Focus

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles 4
MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 16
Winter
MATH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry 4
WR 122Z
Composition II
or College Composition III
4
BI 211 General Biology I: Cells 5
Core-education course that also satisfies multicultural requirement 4
 Credits 17
Spring
BI 212 General Biology II: Organisms 5
MATH 251 Calculus I 4
Core-education course that also satisfies multicultural requirement 4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 17
Second Year
Fall
BI 213
General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution
or General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics
5
CH 221
General Chemistry I
or General Physics
4
CH 227
General Chemistry Laboratory
or Introductory Physics Laboratory
2
Core-education course 4
 Credits 15
Winter
CH 222
General Chemistry II
or General Physics
4
CH 228
General Chemistry Laboratory
or Introductory Physics Laboratory
2
MATH 252 Calculus II 4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 14
Spring
CH 223
General Chemistry III
or General Physics
4
CH 229
General Chemistry Laboratory
or Introductory Physics Laboratory
2
STAT 243Z
Elementary Statistics I
or Statistical Methods I
4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 14
Third Year
Fall
ERTH 101
Exploring Planet Earth (completed with a letter grade of mid-B or higher)
or Dynamic Planet Earth
4
CH 331 Organic Chemistry I 4
Core-education course 4
Elective course 4
 Credits 16
Winter
ERTH 102
Exploring Earth’s Environment (completed with a letter grade of mid-B or higher)
or Earth's Surface and Environment
4
CH 335 Organic Chemistry II 4
Elective courses 8
 Credits 16
Spring
ERTH 103
Exploring Earth History (completed with a letter grade of mid-B or higher )
or History of Life
4
CH 336 Organic Chemistry III 4
Upper-division elective courses 8
 Credits 16
Fourth Year
Fall
Upper-division earth science course 4
Upper-division mathematics or elective course 4
Upper-division elective courses 8
 Credits 16
Winter
Upper-division biology course 4
Upper-division earth science course 4
Upper-division elective courses 8
 Credits 16
Spring
Upper-division biology course 4
Upper-division earth science course 4
Upper-division elective course 4
 Credits 12
 Total Credits 185

Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Science with Pre-Medical Focus

Degree Map
First Year
FallMilestonesCredits
CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles 4
MATH 111Z Precalculus I: Functions 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 16
Winter
WR 122Z
Composition II
or College Composition III
4
MATH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry 4
CH 221 General Chemistry I 4
CH 227 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
 Credits 14
Spring
CH 222 General Chemistry II 4
CH 228 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
MATH 251
Calculus I
or Calculus for the Biological Sciences I
4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 14
Second Year
Fall
BI 211 General Biology I: Cells 5
CH 223 General Chemistry III 4
CH 229 General Chemistry Laboratory 2
Core-education course that also satisfies multicultural requirement 4
 Credits 15
Winter
BI 212 General Biology II: Organisms 5
MATH 252
Calculus II
or Calculus for the Biological Sciences II
4
Core-education course that also satisfies multicultural requirement 4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 17
Spring
BI 214 General Biology IV: Biochemistry and Genetics 5
STAT 243Z
Elementary Statistics I
or Statistical Methods I
4
Upper-division core-education course 4
Core-education course 4
 Credits 17
Third Year
Fall
BI 320 Molecular Genetics 4
CH 331 Organic Chemistry I 4
CH 337 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3
Upper-division core-education course 4
 Credits 15
Winter
CH 335 Organic Chemistry II 4
CH 338 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3
BI 358 Investigations in Medical Physiology 4
Upper-division elective course 4
 Credits 15
Spring
PSY 201Z
Introduction to Psychology I
or Introduction to Psychology II
or Biopsychology
4
SOC 204
Introduction to Sociology
or Social Inequality
4
CH 336 Organic Chemistry III 4
Upper-division biology course 4
 Credits 16
Fourth Year
Fall
PHYS 201 General Physics 4
PHYS 204 Introductory Physics Laboratory 2
CH 360
Physiological Biochemistry
or Biochemistry
4
Upper-division biology or elective course 4
 Credits 14
Winter
PHYS 202 General Physics 4
PHYS 205 Introductory Physics Laboratory 2
CH 463 Biochemistry 4
Upper-division elective courses 6
 Credits 16
Spring
PHYS 203 General Physics 4
PHYS 206 Introductory Physics Laboratory 2
CH 462 Biochemistry 4
Upper-division elective course 4
 Credits 14
 Total Credits 183