Courses

The following courses are those specifically available in the interdisciplinary studies program. Additional coursework will be required in other subjects as part of the major or minor. Contact the program coordinator Lauren Tilton to plan your course of study.

Interdisciplinary Studies

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  • IDST 190 Selected Projects

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Follow-up projects for students participating in the Richmond Endeavor first-year living-learning program.
  • IDST 270 Pilgrimage Studies

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Taken in conjunction with the Chaplaincy's pilgrimage experience. The course provides a context for the academic exploration of the issues at stake in the travel component: to discover the cultural, historical, and political context of the place, to deepen the students’ understanding of the religious traditions active in the region, and to cultivate community across lines of difference within the team itself.
  • IDST 281 Principles of the Natural Sciences

    Units: 0

    Description
    Explores foundational principles of biology, chemistry and physics. Students gain experience with using these principles in an applied context that fosters critical thought. The course is designed for pre-medical students who are preparing to take the medical college admissions test (MCAT).

     

    Prerequisites

    Prerequisite

    IBIOL 200, CHEM 326, and PHYS 128 or PHYS 132. All may be taken concurrently.

  • IDST 284 Integrated Quantitative Science (IQS) Research Training Seminar

    Units: 0.25

    Description
    Continuation of the appreciation of, and facility with, integrated, interdisciplinary research in science, math, and computer science. Through discussion and hands-on activities students will gain a greater perspective and will develop skills in research that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries.

     

    Prerequisites

    CHEM 141 (or CHEM 191 or CHEM 192), and BIOL 202

  • IDST 285 Developing Interdisciplinary Research

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Focuses on development of an interdisciplinary research project from inception through writing of grant proposal. Begins with discussion of scientific question being addressed, followed by discussions of broad concepts of a research proposal and, finally, the development and completion of a final proposal. Involves literature search, discussions concerning design and execution of experiments, as well as interpretation of data (both quantitative and qualitative). Experimentation will involve a variety of techniques and approaches; expose students to interdisciplinary nature of modern biomedically related research and how collaboration leads to enhancement of a project; and promote students' ability to think critically, write a proposal, and discuss and present their ideas to others in an effective manner. The faculty/research student teams will work to develop a final research proposal for NSF or another suitable funding agency.

     

    Prerequisites

    CHEM 141 or CHEM 191 or CHEM 192

  • IDST 290 Selected Projects

    Units: 0.5-1

    Description
    Follow-up research project for participants in the Sophomore Scholars in Residence program.
  • IDST 299 Selected Topics

    Units: 1

    Description
    One semester elective. Explores a variety of topics that do not typically fall within disciplinary boundaries.
  • IDST 379 Combined Major Project/Portfolio

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Working with faculty mentors, students will write a 20-30 page research paper on an interdisciplinary topic. For students in combined majors with French and German, this paper will become part of a portfolio representing significant achievements in the major and emphasizing the interdisciplinary and/or cross-cultural aspects of the major.
  • IDST 388 Individual Internship

    Units: 0.25-1

    Description
    No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
  • IDST 390 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

    Units: 1

    Description
    (See English 308.)

     

    Prerequisites

    ENGL 297 or ENGL 298

  • IDST 395 Independent Study

    Units: 1

    Description
    Specialized study to provide maximum freedom in research and investigation.
  • IDST 397 Special Topics

    Units: 1

    Description
    Topics will vary from semester to semester.
  • IDST 398 Senior Thesis

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    For students in the interdisciplinary studies major.
  • IDST 399 Senior Thesis

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    For students in the interdisciplinary studies major.
  • IDST 401 Honors Thesis

    Units: 1

    Description
    Thesis course for students invited into departmental honors program. The honors thesis requires an oral defense, which is to include both the thesis advisors and a third party, to be determined by the coordinator in conjunction with the thesis advisors.
  • IDST 402 Honors Thesis II

    Units: 1

    Description
    Thesis course for students invited into departmental honors program. The honors thesis requires an oral defense, which is to include both the thesis advisors and a third party, to be determined by the coordinator in conjunction with the thesis advisors.
  • IDST 484 Integrated Science Senior Seminar

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Designed for students to pull together earlier interdisciplinary course experiences; discussions of recently published journal articles and talks by faculty doing interdisciplinary research will allow students to build on their appreciation of, and facility with, integrated, interdisciplinary research in science, math, and computer science. Restricted to seniors.

     

    Prerequisites

    IDST 284 and MATH 212 or MATH 235