Interdisciplinary Studies, B.I.S. (5420)

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) is an individualized degree program. Created to meet the needs of working adults and others whose educational objectives are unmet by the traditional degree programs, the B.I.S. is a self-designed general studies degree in which students choose those academic courses which best meet their career goals. There are no specific course requirements beyond 38 hours in “core” courses, and students may receive up to 12 hours of academic credit for previous non-college learning experiences. The B.I.S. is a full, four-year baccalaureate degree that complies with all university requirements.

The student interested in the B.I.S. degree prepares an individualized degree program in consultation with his/her adviser. The entire program of study must be approved in writing by the BIS Coordinator and copies filed with the university registrar and the adviser. This document then becomes the student’s official Program of Study. Any modification to the student’s Program of Study must be approved by the Interdisciplinary Studies Council.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum credits required for graduation: 120

Minimum credits in upper-division courses (18 hours in Area of Interest): 36 (75% must be taken at UT Martin)

Minimum credits at UT Martin : 30

Minimum credits at an accredited four-year institution: 60

Specific Curricular Requirements

General Education (38 Hours)

Biological and Physical Systems
Credit(s): 8
Communication
Credit(s): 9-10
Fine Arts (Aesthetics)
Credit(s): 3
Humanities
Credit(s): 9
Mathematics
Credit(s): 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Credit(s): 6

Area of Interest (42-54 Hours)

This portion of the student’s program provides for the in-depth examination of some area of study. In traditional terms, it would comprise the courses of the major and the minor or the courses of the major plus an integrated cluster of related and supportive courses. The Area of Interest will include no fewer than 42 semester hours and no more than 54 semester hours. A minimum of 18 upper-division hours is required within the Area of Interest. No more than 36 semester hours in one discipline may be used within the Area of Interest and no more than 50 hours in one discipline counted toward the degree. The student must earn a grade of C or better in all courses offered for the Area of Interest.

Experiential Credit (0-12 Hours)

While not required, students may be awarded up to 12 hours credit for learning that has taken place in settings other than the college classroom or lab. Examples of non-college learning that can be converted into college credit include real estate schools, banking institutes, military training, business programs, law enforcement academies, fire and safety institutes, technical/vocational certificates, seminars, workshops, in-service training, or formal job training. A portfolio, documenting all experiential learning for which credit is sought, will be presented by the student. At the time of submission of the portfolio, the student will be required to pay a $300 charge per subject area. An evaluation team will be appointed to evaluate the portfolio and may recommend to the University Studies Council that the student receive from 0-12 hours credit. If experiential credit is awarded, it becomes part of the student’s university transcript; it may not substitute for any general education requirement and it may be applied only to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree. Portfolio credit does not fulfill minimum credits at the University of Tennessee at Martin, nor does it apply toward four-year institutional hours.

Senior Seminar (3 Hours)

Electives (25-37 Hours)

Sufficient electives must be taken to bring the total credits for the program to 120 semester hours.