IDS Degree Structure

General Education

  • English 6 units
  • Math 3 units
  • Exploring Perspectives
    • Artist
    • Social Scientist
    • Natural Scientist
    • Humanist
  • Building Connections
    • 3 Courses
  • Diversity Emphasis  0-3 units*
  • 1st and 2nd semester language (or equivalent proficiency)  8-10 units**

*This requirement may be filled by a designated General Education Course, or by a designated course taken in the student’s major or minor.
**The number of units will vary depending on the language studied.

Total Units in General Education:  47-49 units

Interdisciplinary Studies Degree (BIS) Requirements

A 2.00 GPA in the IDS major is required.

  • Introductory Course:  3 units
    • IDS 396A: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Concentration Requirements:  27 units
    Students must select at least three courses, for a total of nine units per Concentration, from three of the seven Themes.
    • Arts, Media and Entertainment (AMENT)
    • Economy and Industry (ECI)
    • Global and Intercultural Understanding (GIU)
    • Science, Technology, Health and Society (STHS)
    • Social Behavior and Human Understanding (SBHU)
    • Sports and Society (SPS)
    • Study of the US and the American Experience (SAE)
  • Emphasis Requirement:  24 units
    Students must select one Theme for the Emphasis*
    • Arts, Media and Entertainment (AMENT)
    • Economy and Industry (ECI)
    • Global and Intercultural Understanding (GIU)
    • Science, Technology, Health and Society (STHS)
    • Social Behavior and Human Understanding (SBHU)
    • Sports and Society (SPS)

*This Theme can be the same as one of the selected Concentration Themes.

  • Senior Capstone Requirement : 1 unit
  • Total Units in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major:  55 units
    At least 36 units out of the 55 units in the major must be upper-division (300-499) courses.
  • Total Number of Units Required for a UA Degree:  120 units
    At least 42 units out of the 120 units must be upper-division (300-499) courses.