Interdepartmental (IDPT)

The Individual Interdepartmental Major

Students in the Bachelor of Arts curriculum who wish to investigate subjects, issues, or interests that cannot be served practically by the offerings of an established major may do so by proposing an interdepartmental major. This major shall consist of not fewer than eight or more than 12 courses chosen from among the offerings of two or more departments. This procedure will require also the completion for credit of a senior project to serve as a means of unifying the experience of the interdepartmental major. All proposals for individual interdepartmental majors are evaluated and approved by the associate dean of the College. Any additional requirements or special adjustments in this program will be proposed by the student and the principal adviser and approved by the associate dean.

For an interdepartmental major, students should follow this procedure:

1. In consultation with professors and advisers in the departments offering courses clearly related to their special interests, they should define the limits and the central purpose of a major program of interdepartmental study.
2. Next, with the assistance of their advisers, they should prepare a formal proposal including:
   1. a statement of the reasons they wish to pursue an interdepartmental major,
   2. a list of the courses that will constitute their program of study, and
   3. a preliminary description of the senior project and the ways in which it will serve to unify and integrate the various courses of study. (A complete and detailed description must be submitted before registration in the spring of the student’s junior year.) This formal application normally is due before spring break of the sophomore year.
3. Having satisfied these obligations, students should obtain endorsements of their proposals from those members of the faculty with whom they have conferred and from the heads of the departments in which they plan to complete their major.
4. Finally, they should be assured that their advisers will continue to assist them, and that one of them will serve as principal adviser or sponsor.