Minors

Certificates

Concurrent and Dual Degrees

Military Officer Training

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)

Interdisciplinary Studies

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary studies are available to students through an interdisciplinary degree, the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, or through an extensive choice of minors or certificates which may be taken in conjunction with other majors. Since interdisciplinary studies provide skills which support employment in a rapidly changing work place, students are encouraged to consider these options. Consult the academic advisor in your major about the impact of enrolling in a minor or certificate program.

MINORS

A minor is an approved, coherent concentration of academic study in a single discipline, involving substantially fewer hours of credit than the corresponding major. Several ASU colleges offer undergraduate minors in addition to majors. For more information about specific minors offered at ASU, refer to the individual college and department descriptions in this catalog.

Students in most majors may pursue one or more minors and, upon successful completion of the prescribed course work, have that accomplishment officially recognized on the ASU transcript at graduation if (1) the college/department of the minor officially certifies, through established verification procedures, that all requirements for the minor have been met, and (2) the college (and, in certain colleges, the department) of the student’s major allows the official recognition of the minor.

A student wishing to pursue a specific minor should consult an academic advisor in the unit offering that minor to ensure that an appropriate set of courses is taken.

Note:

Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate either by the college or department of the major or minor. Inappropriate combinations include (but would not be limited to) ones in which an excessive number of courses in the minor are simultaneously being used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major.

Minors

College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Environmental Resources

Urban Planning College of Business

Business (for nonbusiness majors) College of Fine Arts

Art History

Dance

Music (For information, contact an advisor in the School of Music.)

Theatre College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Anthropology

Asian Languages (Chinese/Japanese)

Astronomy

Biology

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chicana and Chicano Studies

Economics for Students Planning a Career in Law

English

Exercise Science/Physical Education

Family Resources and Human Development

French

General Economics

Geology

German

History

Humanities

Italian

Mathematics

Microbiology

Philosophy

Physics

Plant Biology

Political Science

Psychology

Religious Studies

Russian

Sociology

Spanish

Women’s Studies College of Public Programs

Communication

Justice Studies

Mass Communication

Recreation Management

Tourism Interdisciplinary Programs

Gerontology

CERTIFICATES

Students may pursue some certificate programs along with a major and other certificate programs independently. See also “ASU West Certificates.”

CONCURRENT AND DUAL DEGREES

Graduate students have the opportunity to pursue more than one degree at the same time as part of an organized program. Refer to the “Concurrent and Dual Degrees Offered at ASU Main” table. For more information, see the Graduate Catalog.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Asian Studies. See “Asian Studies” for information about the Certificate in Asian Studies.

Energy Studies. An expanding instructional and research involvement in energy matters exists through the following three curricular paths:

1. general studies, which emphasize energy as an elective beyond the scope of a chosen major (for more information, contact M.J. Pasqualetti, 602/965–4548);
2. specific studies in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, for those pursuing the Master of Architecture degree and the Master of Science degree in Building Design; and
3. specific studies in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, usually for those seeking a degree in a branch of engineering.

Environmental Studies. The Center for Environmental Studies encourages and coordinates interdisciplinary environment-related activities in the natural and social sciences within the university. The center sponsors special courses, conferences, and workshops on environmental topics. Drawing from faculty and students throughout the university, the center participates in research and community programs relating to environmental problem areas. It does not formally offer courses or a degree program. For more information, see “Center for Environmental Studies” or call 602/965–2975.

Film Studies. The Film Studies Program exists not only to provide information and experience, but also to serve as a means of creative expression for the student and as a useful subject and tool in teaching. The program is not designed to produce professional filmmakers. However, it may provide practical preparation for students desiring further film study in other institutions.

Inquiries about this program should be directed to the Film Studies coordinator, Jay Boyer, at 602/965–7644.

Gerontology. The Gerontology Program brings together faculty from several disciplines to teach courses related to adult development and aging, to collaborate on gerontological research, and to participate in projects of service to older adults.

A certificate at the postbaccalaureate level and an undergraduate minor are available in Gerontology. The certificate consists of 24 semester hours—12 hours of required and 12 hours of elective course work. The minor consists of 18 semester hours—six hours of required and 12 hours of elective course work. Courses related to aging are taught throughout the university by faculty who are active contributors to research, theory, and public policy and practice. In addition, gerontology provides students with opportunities to gain practical experience in working with elderly people. A practicum, held at the Veterans Administration Hospital, is available to students who have completed some gerontology course work. Gerontology also helps students find rewarding internships in community programs for older adults. For more information, refer to the current Student Handbook in Gerontology or call 602/965–3225.

Islamic Studies. The art, history, geography, and religion of the Islamic world are the subjects of several courses offered by departments in the College of Fine Arts and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For information, call Dr. Mark Woodward, Department of Religious Studies, at 602/965–7145.

Linguistics. Linguistics concentrations are offered in master’s degree programs in the Departments of Anthropology, English, and Languages and Literatures through the Graduate College. Numerous linguistics courses are offered in these and other departments. For information, call Dr. Dawn Bates of the University Committee on Linguistics, at 602/965–3168.

Medieval and Renaissance Studies. An undergraduate Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies is offered by the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. See “Medieval and Renaissance Studies” for more information. See the Graduate Catalog, “Medieval and Renaissance Studies,” for information about the Certificate in Medieval Studies and the Certificate in Renaissance Studies, and the “Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (ACMRS)” for information about the center.

Southeast Asian Studies. See “Southeast Asian Studies” for information about the Certificate in Southeast Asian Studies.

Transportation Systems. See the Graduate Catalog, “Transportation Systems,” for information on the Certificate in Transportation Systems.

Women’s Studies. See “Women’s Studies” for information about the Certificate in Women’s Studies.

Military Officer Training

U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army ROTC units are active on the ASU campus. See “Department of Aerospace Studies” and “Department of Military Science” for more information.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). ASU is a participating institution with DANTES and is listed in the DANTES Directory of Independent Study. DANTES is an executive agency of the Department of Defense that provides educational support for the voluntary education programs of all services. The primary missions of DANTES are (1) to provide nationally recognized examination and certification programs as part of the voluntary education programs of military services and (2) to facilitate the availability of high-quality independent institutions for service men and women.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)

For Arizona residents who wish to attend professional schools of dentistry, veterinary medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, and osteopathy in one of the other western states, Arizona has joined with the other western states to create the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Through WICHE, qualified Arizona residents may attend schools in other western states at essentially the same expense to the students as to residents of the state in which the school is located. Students must have maintained at least average grades in their preprofessional work and must have been legal residents of Arizona for at least the last five years. Recipients are required to return to Arizona to practice or to repay a portion of the funds expended in their behalf.

For applications and more information contact Dr. Brice W. Corder, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 602/965–2365.

Interdisciplinary Studies—B.I.S.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) is a university-wide program intended for the student who has academic interests that might not be satisfied with existing majors. Building on two academic areas of interest (emphasis areas) and an interdisciplinary core, students in the B.I.S. are expected to take an active role in creating their educational plan and defining their vocational goals. The B.I.S. emphasizes versatility and problem solving, skills desired in a changing workplace environment. Self-assessment and appraisal of opportunities to support academic and career goals are key elements in the core courses. The emphasis areas are based on approved academic minors and certificate programs and should represent academic interests which the student wishes to integrate into a meaningful program.

Students interested in pursuing the B.I.S. degree should contact Cross- college Advising Services (CAS) in UASB 131, 965–4464, to attend an informational session conducted by an academic advisor.

The combination of emphasis areas gives students greater flexibility in creating a unique program to accomplish individualized academic goals. Combinations created by current students illustrate a range of possibilities:

American humanics certificate program and theatre

business and communication

business and environmental resources

communication and sociology

dance and exercise science

economics and Spanish

environmental resources and geology

justice studies and political science

psychology and women’s studies

religious studies and anthropology

Basic Requirements

The B.I.S. requires 120 semester hours. The major is composed of a 12- hour core (see “Core Courses”) and a minimum of 36 semester hours in two emphasis areas (18 hours each). Throughout the core sequence, the student will assemble a portfolio including self assessment on progression toward career goals, and an evaluation of key education and personal activities that may apply.

Core Courses

BIS 301	Foundations of Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
BIS 302	Interdisciplinary Studies (3)
BIS 401	Interdisciplinary Practicum (3)
BIS 402	Senior Seminar (3)
	Total: 12

Other Requirements

In addition to the basic requirements, students must also complete all university requirements, including English Composition and General Studies. Early advising is recommended to facilitate selecting courses that may apply to both the University General Studies requirements and the emphasis areas.

Declaring the B.I.S. major. Academic advising from Cross-college Advising Services is required before being approved to declare the B.I.S. In addition, the following requirements must be completed by the end of the semester of the request:

1. 45 semester hours of college credit;
2. cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00;
3. selection of two areas of emphasis, with a minimum of two courses (minimum grade of “C”) completed or in progress in each emphasis area. Approval of each department is required; and
4. statement of purpose for seeking a B.I.S. degree.

All incoming students and continuing students with a minimum GPA of 2.00 who do not meet the above requirements will be placed in a pre-BIS major until the requirements have been met.

Approved Emphasis Areas

Each emphasis area requires 18 semester hours, of which 12 hours must be at the upper division. They are based on existing minors or certificate programs (see colleges for specific minors or certificate programs). Emphases based on minors with fewer than 18 hours will have additional semester hours required. Complete information on each emphasis is available in CAS, UASB 131.

College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Environmental resources*

Urban planning*

College of Business

Business

International business studies

Small business and entrepreneurship

College of Fine Arts

Dance

Music

Theatre

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Anthropology

Asian languages (Chinese/Japanese)

Asian studies

Astronomy

Biology

Chemistry and biochemistry

Chicana and Chicano studies

East Asian studies

Economics (for students planning a career in law)

English

Exercise science/physical education

Family resources and human development

French

General economics

Geology

German

History

Interdisciplinary humanities

Italian

Jewish studies

Latin American studies

Mathematics

Microbiology

Philosophy

Physics

Plant biology

Political science

Psychology

Religious studies

Russian

Russian and East European studies

Sociology

Spanish

Translation

Women’s studies

College of Public Programs

American humanics/youth agency administration

American Indian justice studies

Communication

Justice studies*converttab

Mass communication

Recreation management*

Tourism*converttab

Interdisciplinary Programs

Gerontology

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) Courses

Omnibus Courses: See omnibus courses that may be offered.

1998–99 General Catalog Table of Contents

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