This self-designed degree is perfect for students interested in multiple disciplines, or whose career dreams don't fit the traditional division of academic subjects at the university. The Interdisciplinary Studies (BS) degree lets you assemble courses from two or more science and/or social science disciplines and make connections among them. You'll gain a breadth of knowledge unparalleled by most academic majors, while also attaining depth in a particular area through a required minor.
This degree is especially effective for students interested in emerging fields or who want to remain open to changing career plans. Many students select this major because they see a societal problem they want to help solve, or they are interested in an academic program not currently offered at Appalachian – or one not easily pigeon-holed in one discipline. Professors teaching the course Interdisciplinary Connections: Design (IDS 2002) will guide you in putting together a clear, defensible statement of your goals and developing a contract that consists of 24 semester hours from your selected disciplines.
Examples: Hispanic Health (combining biology, health care and Spanish); Sustainable Nutrition (combining nutrition and sustainable development); Cross-Cultural Studies (combining anthropology, psychology and sociology); Documentary Studies (combining communication, film and media classes).