Through the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS), students can design an academic path that incorporates their interests and talents. Options for the BIS include:
- A minimum of two concentrations of 18 hours approved by the Director of the School. Students may choose from a large selection of academic minors for their concentrations.
- A minimum of a single 36-hour concentration approved by Director of the School. Students may select one of the specialty concentrations below (environmental studies or disability studies), or design an individualized concentration, in consultation with an advisor, from a variety of disciplines and courses offered by USM.
Interdisciplinary Studies BIS Degree Requirements (120 hours)
Interdisciplinary Studies BIS Semester Guide
Availability: Online; Hattiesburg Campus; Gulf Park Campus
Admission Requirements: See University Admission Policies
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
BIS with a concentration in Environmental Studies
The BIS degree with a concentration in environmental studies is earned through an interdisciplinary series of courses whose goal is to provide a program of study geared to those with career goals in environmental policy, journalism, law, or activism, who seek a sufficient scientific background to be able to communicate relevant ideas to the public, or apply them in their own work, but who do not seek training in conducting environmental science themselves.
To earn the Environmental Studies concentration, students must complete 36-38 hours:
Basic Science (12 hours):
BSC 110 - Principles of Biological Science I AND
BSC 110L - Principles of Biological Science I Laboratory
BSC 111 - Principles of Biological Science II AND
BSC 111L - Principles of Biological Science II Laboratory
CHE 106 - General Chemistry I AND
CHE 106L - General Chemistry I Laboratory
Science Lab Courses (8 hours):
Select two lecture and laboratory pairs
GLY 101 - Physical Geology AND
GLY 101L - Physical Geology Laboratory
GHY 104 - Weather and Climate AND
GHY 104L - Weather and Climate Laboratory
GHY 105 - Land and Water AND
GHY 105L - Land and Water Lab
MAR 151 - Introduction to Ocean Science AND
MAR 151L - Introduction to Ocean Science Laboratory
Natural Science Electives (7-9 hours):
Select 7-9 hours
BSC 201 - General Zoology AND
BSC 201L - General Zoology Laboratory
BSC 226 - General Botany AND
BSC 226L - General Botany Laboratory
BSC 340 - Introductory Ecology
BSC 422 - Coastal and Marine Management
BSC 436 - Conservation Biology AND
BSC 436L - Conservation Biology Laboratory
CHE 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry AND
CHE 251L - Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory
GHY 422 - Biogeography
GHY 472 - Soils
MAR 210 - The Oceans
MAR 419 - Marine Pollution
Social Science and Humanities Electives (9 hours):
ECO 225 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
ESC 301 - Living in the Environment
ESC 302 - Environmental Improvement Project
GHY 331 - Cultural Systems in the Environment
GHY 370 - Conservation of Natural Resources
PHI 457 - Environmental Ethics
PS 403 - Politics and Environment
REL 324 - Religion and Animals
SOC 316 - Sociology of the Environment
Other courses may be accepted at the discretion of the school director.*
BIS with a concentration in Disability Studies
The disability studies concentration BIS degree is earned through an interdisciplinary series of courses whose goal is to introduce students to the social, cultural, and institutional systems that shape—or “construct”—the experience of disability, and how these systems in turn impact the lives of disabled people. This degree also provides students with the skills to understand disability as one dimension of social diversity.
To earn the Disability Studies concentration, students must complete 36 hours:
Required courses (6 hours)
Core Disability Studies courses (12 hours)
No more than two core classes may be from any one prefix category
Disability Studies Electives (18 hours):
No morethan two elective classes may be from any one prefix category
