Provisional University Bulletin (2025-2026)

• Major (BA)

An independent interdisciplinary major (IIM) offers students with interdisciplinary intellectual interests the opportunity to design a course of study not available in the regular curriculum. Each IIM is designed around a topic, theme, issue, or set of questions that cannot be adequately addressed within the context of existing majors or minors. A proven record of academic achievement, seriousness of purpose, and intellectual curiosity are prerequisites for this endeavor. The skills necessary to pursue an IIM include the ability to work independently, to analyze and synthesize materials from different disciplines, and to work one-on-one in sustained dialogue with faculty members.

An IIM must be designed in collaboration with three faculty members from at least two, preferably three, different departments. Although it is acceptable to have a faculty advisor from the International Business School or the Heller School, the primary advisor must be a faculty member from the College of Arts and Sciences. Students should begin preparing their proposal one to two semesters in advance and must submit it for approval no later than the fall of their junior year. 

The proposal should describe the role each potential course plays in the student's curriculum and how the various courses relate to one another. In addition to discussing their intellectual, academic, and career goals, students must address why designing an IIM is more desirable than completing two separate majors or a combination of major and minor. The proposal consists of four parts: 1) the IIM application, 2) a proposal statement no longer than four pages in length, 3) a letter of endorsement signed by all three members of the faculty committee, and 4) evidence of comparable majors offered at three or more other colleges and universities. The proposal will ultimately be reviewed by the IIM sub-committee, which is composed of faculty members from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) and faculty members who have served as IIM advisors. The IIM sub-committee meets during the second half of each semester. This group will evaluate the proposal and make recommendations to the UCC, which grants final approval of all IIM proposals.

Students who wish to develop a proposal for an IIM should visit the Independent Interdisciplinary Major's webpage to view the complete IIM guidelines and arrange a meeting with an IIM advisor.

A. Students must submit their IIM proposal for approval no later than the fall of their junior year. 

B. Core Courses: Twelve courses (48 credits) from various academic departments. A maximum of four courses (16 credits) may be from study abroad, summer school, or cross-registration. 

C. Foundational Literacies: As part of completing the Independent Interdisciplinary major, students must fulfill the writing intensive, oral communication, and digital literacy requirements by including courses that are officially recognized for these foundational literacies in their proposal.
No single course may be used to fulfill all three foundational literacies.

IIM 98a Independent Study provides students an opportunity to pursue independent research on the scale of a seminar paper or article-length project (25-35 pages), or the equivalent in creative work.

IIM 99d Senior Research provides students an opportunity to propose, research, and write an undergraduate thesis. Theses are typically 50-75 pages in length and should be formatted according to professional disciplinary standards (determined in consultation with your thesis advisor).

E. Courses graded Pass/Fail cannot count toward the major. 

F. No more than four courses may double-count toward another major or two courses toward another minor. No more than six courses may be used toward any additional major(s) and minor.

G. No course with a final grade below a C- may count toward the major.

Departmental Honors

To qualify for departmental honors, students must achieve a 3.25 cumulative GPA and complete IIM 99d (two semesters) under a faculty member’s supervision. Honors candidates are expected to design a significant and independent year-long research program, culminating in the writing and oral defense of an original thesis. The level of departmental honors is determined by the student’s thesis committee.

IIM 92a Internship and Analysis

IIM 98a Independent Study

Usually offered every year.

IIM 99d Senior Research

Usually offered every year.