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2018-2019 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy)
Lancaster Campus
   
2018-2019 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2018-2019 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.I.S. (College of Arts and Sciences)


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Learning Outcomes

  • Students will identify interdisciplinary approaches to scholarship through thematic or problem-focused study. They will demonstrate the ability to use information, concepts, analytical approaches, and methods involved in at least two related fields.  
  • Students in the BAIS and BSIS programs will synthesize a personalized set of outcomes and independently work towards achieving them. 
  • Students in the BAIS or BSIS program will be admitted to graduate/professional school or will be hired in entry-level positions in their fields within three (3) years of graduation. 

Basic Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Science Degrees (120 Hours)


Note: Bachelor of Science degrees with majors in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Geological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology or Statistics, and the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a major in Chemistry require 120 hours. All other Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 128 hours.

  1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements
  2. Major
  3. Cognate or Minor Requirements (optional for BSIS majors)
  4. Electives

1. Carolina Core Plus General Education Requirements


CMW: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)


  • Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

ARP: Carolina Core Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (A Minimum of 12 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

Bachelor of Science degrees require a minimum of 12 hours, as specified by the major program, to include:

SCI: Carolina Core Scientific Literacy (8 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

  • Two 4-credit hour laboratory science courses.

GFL: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Communicate Effectively in More than One Language (0-9 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

  • Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required for all baccalaureate degrees. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

GHS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (6 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on U.S. History: HIST 111, 112, 214, or another GHS approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category and
  • One Carolina Core GHS-approved course primarily focused on non-U.S. History: HIST 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, GERM 280, FAMS 300, or another GHS-approved course determined by the College of Arts and Sciences to fit this geographic category.

GSS: Carolina Core Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)


Specified or additional College of Arts and Sciences Requirement:

AIU: Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)


Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements:

  • Up to two of these requirements may be met in overlay courses. At least one of these requirements must be satisfied by a course not applied elsewhere in general education. (3-9 hours)

CMS: Carolina Core Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)


INF: Carolina Core Information Literacy (0-3 Hours)


VSR: Carolina Core Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)


Other Required General Education Courses for the College of Arts and Sciences


Fine Arts and Humanities Requirements (3 Hours)


  • Bachelor of Science degrees require 3 Hours in the fine arts. (May be taken as Carolina Core Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding.)
  • Bachelor of Science degrees require an additional 3 Hours in the fine arts or humanities.

2. Interdisciplinary Studies Major (36 Hours)


Each student must complete a program of studies designed by an interdisciplinary program committee appointed by the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office. The program shall include a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit in major eligible courses in two or more fields. No course submitted in fulfillment of the general education requirements may be included in the program requirements. A maximum of 15 semester hours of independent study courses may be applied to the interdisciplinary studies program requirement.

3. Cognate or Minor Requirements (12-18 Hours) for B.S. Degrees


A cognate or minor is not required for the BSIS degree. Students who opt to complete a cognate or minor must follow requirements for the cognate or minor as detailed in the College of Arts and Sciences section of the Bulletin.

4. Electives for B.S. Degrees


No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification of inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Procedure


The following procedures shall be followed in designing a program of interdisciplinary studies:

  1. The candidate shall apply to the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office for declaration of an interdisciplinary studies program.
  2. The candidate must submit to the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office a written statement of goals concerning a potential interdisciplinary studies program.
  3. The College Academic Affairs and Advising Office will help the candidate formulate an interdisciplinary program committee, which shall consist of faculty members from the student’s areas of interdisciplinary interest. The members of the interdisciplinary program committee shall be appointed by the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office, who will designate one member as chair and as the student’s academic advisor.
  4. The interdisciplinary program committee shall meet with the student and prepare a program of studies leading to the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. The program shall include a written justification for the specific program of studies designed with the student. The program of study must be approved by the committee prior to the completion of 75 hours. The committee and College Academic Affairs and Advising Office must approve any subsequent changes in the student’s program.
  5. The candidate’s academic advisor shall advise the student each semester and shall sign the necessary registration and other advisor’s forms. Advising shall adhere to the student’s approved program of studies. The academic advisor shall consult with the interdisciplinary program committee for approval should deviation from the original program become necessary or advisable. All changes shall be registered with the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office.

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree After Completion of One Year of Medical or Dental School. Upon application to the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office, a student who has completed 90 hours or more of degree-applicable undergraduate work at the University of South Carolina (with the last 30 hours in residence at the University) with a grade point average of 2.00 or higher, will be granted the BSIS degree provided that:

  1. The applicant has satisfied all graduation requirements for the BSIS degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, except for the final 30 hours.
  2. The applicant has not applied these University of South Carolina credits to obtaining a baccalaureate degree from any institution.
  3. The applicant submits documents from an accredited medical or dental school demonstrating satisfactory completion of the first year of study leading to a post-baccalaureate degree.
  4. The applicant has the program of study approved by the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office.
  5. The College Academic Affairs and Advising Office certifies that the requirements prescribed for the degree have been met.

Interested students enrolled at the University should consult the College Academic Affairs and Advising Office for details concerning this option.

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