College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Courses

Interdepartmental Studies

Undergraduate Program

Bachelor of Arts

Individualized Plan of Study Track

Students must submit their study plan for approval. The plan must include an essay that provides a clear statement of the area of intellectual focus; the reasons for preferring the ISP to any departmental program; a concrete discussion of how the advanced courses relate to each other, to personal interests, and to the central focus of the study plan; a description of academic goals for the bachelor's degree; a list of advanced-level course work already completed; and a list of advanced-level course work planned for all remaining semesters.

Each study plan is approved by a faculty advisory committee. Reviews are held once a semester. Deadlines are posted on the Interdepartmental Studies Program web site.

If the committee does not grant approval, the study plan may be returned to the student for revisions and resubmission at the next committee meeting. In some cases, the student may be referred to an appropriate departmental major.

Students are required to take the courses approved in the study plan. A limited number of substitutions may be allowed, but only if they are clearly consistent with the area of intellectual focus in the approved study plan, and only if they are approved in advance by the ISP advisor. Unauthorized substitutions may be designated as elective course work.

Significant changes in the focus of a student's study plan require the submission and approval of a revised study plan. The student's academic advisor determines whether changes warrant a revised plan.

See the Interdepartmental Studies Program web site for up-to-date information on the individualized plan of study track and rules for submission of study plans.

Students who choose the individualized plan of study track are advised by the Interdepartmental Studies Program coordinator and work closely with the Interdepartmental Studies Program office while designing the study plan. Students who intend to submit a study plan should contact the Interdepartmental Studies Program coordinator as early as possible.

Health Science Track

Health science track students must complete foundation course work (22 s.h.) and one emphasis area (15 s.h.). A minimum of 15 s.h. in the major must be completed at The University of Iowa. The Academic Advising Center advises health science track students. Contact the center for more information about requirements.

Business Studies Track

Students must have achieved second-year standing to declare the business studies track.

Business studies track students must complete foundation course work (17-19 s.h.), business electives (4-6 s.h.), and one emphasis area (15 s.h.). A minimum of 15 s.h. in the major must be completed at The University of Iowa. The Academic Advising Center advises business studies track students. Contact the center for more information about requirements.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

Note: The Four-Year Graduation Plan is available only to ISP students in the individualized plan of study track.

Before the third semester begins: at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: an approved plan of study, at least six courses in the plan of study, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: a total of at least nine courses in the plan of study

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Students should initiate inquiries about graduating with honors by contacting the ISP coordinator. Students are encouraged to inquire early in their junior year to allow time for foundation course work. The director of the University of Iowa Honors Program can offer suggestions for contacting a supervising faculty member or committee from one or several appropriate departments. ISP students must submit an honors project approval form to the ISP coordinator and the honors program director.

Double Major

Simultaneous Degrees

Certificates

Minor

Career Considerations

Students preparing for advanced study should become familiar with the admissions requirements of graduate or professional schools that interest them. The earlier students decide to pursue graduate or professional study, the easier it is to complete necessary prerequisites.

Courses