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 Dr. Nathan Snaza to plan your course of study.
Interdisciplinary Studies
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IDST 190 Selected Projects
Units: 0.5
DescriptionFollow-up projects for students participating in the Richmond Endeavor first-year living-learning program.
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IDST 270 Pilgrimage Studies
Units: 0.5
DescriptionTaken 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.
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IDST 281 Principles of the Natural Sciences
Units: 0
DescriptionExplores 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).
PrerequisitesBIOL 200, CHEM 326, and PHYS 132. All may be taken concurrently.
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IDST 284 Integrated Quantitative Science (IQS) Research Training Seminar
Units: 0.25
DescriptionContinuation 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.
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IDST 285 HHMI: New collaborations Seminar: From Concept to Proposal: Developing Interdisciplinary Research
Units: 0.5
DescriptionFocuses 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.
PrerequisitesCHEM 141, CHEM 191, or CHEM 192
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IDST 290 Selected Projects
Units: 0.5-1
DescriptionFollow-up research project for participants in the Sophomore Scholars in Residence program.
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IDST 299 Selected Topics
Units: 0-1
DescriptionOne semester elective. Explores a variety of topics that do not typically fall within disciplinary boundaries.
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IDST 379 Combined Major Project/Portfolio
Units: 0.5
DescriptionWorking 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.
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IDST 388 Individual Internship
Units: 0.25-1
DescriptionNo 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.
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IDST 390 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Units: 1
Description(See English 308.)
PrerequisitesENGL 297 or ENGL 298
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IDST 395 Independent Study
Units: 0-1
DescriptionSpecialized study to provide maximum freedom in research and investigation.
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IDST 397 Special Topics
Units: 1
DescriptionTopics will vary from semester to semester.
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IDST 398 Senior Thesis
Units: 0.5
DescriptionFor students in the interdisciplinary studies major.
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IDST 399 Senior Thesis
Units: 0.5
DescriptionFor students in the interdisciplinary studies major.
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IDST 401 Honors Thesis
Units: 1
DescriptionThesis 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.
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IDST 402 Honors Thesis II
Units: 1
DescriptionThesis 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.
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IDST 484 Integrated Science Senior Seminar
Units: 0.5
DescriptionDesigned 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.
PrerequisitesIDST 284 and MATH 212 or MATH 235