Interdisciplinary Sciences
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Interdisciplinary Sciences |
| Minor: | Interdisciplinary Sciences |
| College: | Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering |
| CIP Code: | 30.0101 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
The Interdisciplinary Science program is designed for students who want a broadly based education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math rather than an in-depth study of one field. Because some professional and graduate schools prefer their applicants to demonstrate excellence in a specific discipline, the Interdisciplinary Science major considering graduate or professional (dentistry, medicine, optometry, or veterinary medicine) studies should consult a faculty advisor.
Interdisciplinary Sciences Specialization
The BS in Interdisciplinary Sciences is a multidisciplinary program that provides a strong foundation in one area of the sciences and flexibility to add content and skills from other HMCSE STEM programs. The academic goal of this program is to afford students the opportunity to make connections between ideas and concepts across disciplinary boundaries and to be capable of defining and examining scientific problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
The BS in Interdisciplinary Sciences is built upon a foundation within the UWF HMCSE STEM disciplines (Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences, and Computer Science) and allows for additional coursework from Chemistry, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics.
Program Requirements
In addition to the university’s general requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences must meet the requirements listed below.
A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses applied to this academic program. Consult with your academic advisor for courses that may satisfy both the General Education requirements and program course prerequisites.
General Education
Interdisciplinary Science majors should satisfy the mathematics (6 semester hours) and natural science (6 semester hours) components of General Education with coursework taken from the recommendations shown below.
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
Biology and Computer Science Track Common Prerequisites
| Biology and Computer Science Common Prerequisites | 23 | |
| Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
COP XXXX | Intro to Programming in ADA, C, C++, Pascal or equivalent language | |
| Choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
or STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | |
| Choose one of the following groups: | 8 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
or | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Total Hours | 34-35 | |
Biology and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track Common Prerequisites
| Biology and Earth & Environmental Sciences Common Prerequisites | 19-20 | |
| Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
or STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | |
| Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | ||
or | ||
| General Botany and General Botany Lab | ||
| Choose one of the following groups: | 8 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
or | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Total Hours | 31-32 | |
Computer Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track Common Prerequisites
| Computer Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences Common Prerequisites | 30 | |
| Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Elements of Statistics | ||
COP XXXX | Intro to Programming in ADA, C, C++, Pascal or equivalent language | |
| Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory | ||
| Choose one group: | 8 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
or | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Total Hours | 38 | |
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. * | 8-12 | |
| Total Hours | 8-12 | |
- *
The number of electives needed will depend on the track selected. Students are encouraged to check with their Academic Advisors when selecting electives.
- †
PHI 3400 Philosophy of Science and ENC 3455 Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors are offered through the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities as advisor-approved electives.
Tier 1 Major Courses
Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours (sh) of Tier 1 courses for their chosen track. At least six (6) sh must be completed from each discipline in the chosen track.
Biology and Computer Science Track
| Biology Course Options | ||
| PCB 3103 & 3103L | Cell Biology and Cell Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 3063 | Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 3020 & 3020L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BCH 3033 & 3033L | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 4233 & 4233L | Immunology and Immunology Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 4524 & 4524L | Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Lab | 4 |
| PCB 4673 | Principles of Evolution | 3 |
| PCB 4922 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| PCB 4098 & 4098L | Concepts in Human Physiology and Concepts in Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 4723 & 4723L | Comparative Animal Physiology and Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| Computer Science Options | ||
| CEN 3031 | Software Engineering I | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design | 3 |
| COP 3022 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| COP 3530 | Data Structures and Algorithms I | 3 |
| COP 4710 | Database Systems | 3 |
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Biology and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track
| Biology Course Options | ||
| PCB 3103 & 3103L | Cell Biology and Cell Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 3063 & 3063L | Genetics and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| MCB 3020 & 3020L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BCH 3033 & 3033L | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 3097L | Introduction to Human Anatomy Laboratory | 3 |
| PCB 4233 & 4233L | Immunology and Immunology Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 4524 & 4524L | Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology Lab | 4 |
| PCB 4673 | Principles of Evolution | 3 |
| PCB 4922 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| PCB 4098 & 4098L | Concepts in Human Physiology and Concepts in Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| PCB 4723 & 4723L | Comparative Animal Physiology and Comparative Animal Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences Options | ||
| GEO 3210 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEO 4221 & 4221L | Coastal Morphology and Processes and Coastal Morphology and Processes Laboratory | 4 |
| GEO 4250 & 4250L | Weather and Climate and Weather and Climate Lab | 4 |
| GEO 4260 & 4260L | Geography of Soils and Geography of Soils Laboratory | 4 |
| GEO 4280 & 4280L | Basic Hydrology and Basic Hydrology Lab | 4 |
| GEO 4357 | Environment and Economy | 3 |
| GIS 4043 & 4043L | Geographic Information Systems and GIS Laboratory | 4 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Computer Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences Track
| Computer Science Options | ||
| CEN 3031 | Software Engineering I | 3 |
| COP 3014 | Algorithm and Program Design | 3 |
| COP 3022 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| COP 3530 | Data Structures and Algorithms I | 3 |
| COP 4710 | Database Systems | 3 |
| COT 3100 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences Options | ||
| GEO 3210 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEO 4221 & 4221L | Coastal Morphology and Processes and Coastal Morphology and Processes Laboratory | 4 |
| GEO 4250 & 4250L | Weather and Climate and Weather and Climate Lab | 4 |
| GEO 4260 & 4260L | Geography of Soils and Geography of Soils Laboratory | 4 |
| GEO 4280 & 4280L | Basic Hydrology and Basic Hydrology Lab | 4 |
| GEO 4357 | Environment and Economy | 3 |
| GIS 4043 & 4043L | Geographic Information Systems and GIS Laboratory | 4 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Tier 2 Courses
Students are required to complete a minimum total of 24 sh of which at least 18 sh must be earned at the 3000- or 4000-level within one contributing HMCSE department (Biology, Computer Sciences, or Earth & Environmental Sciences). The additional six sh of Tier 2 credit must be earned at the 3000- or 4000-level from a contributing HMCSE department (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Earth & Environmental Sciences); these hours may be earned in a different department than those in which the 18 sh above were earned.
All Tier 2 courses must have as a prerequisite one of the Tier 1 courses listed below; i.e., the Tier 2 courses must be accomplished at a higher level than the Tier 1 courses.
| Upper-division hours in one HMCSE program | 18 | |
| Upper-division hours in HMCSE programs other than those above | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Minor
Students are strongly encouraged to consider the pursuit of a Minor as part of their academic program. The Minor should improve their career readiness by providing additional marketable skills and content knowledge. With advisor approval, the Minor may be earned outside of HMCSE.
| Advisor-approved Minor courses | 15-18 | |
Interdisciplinary Sciences Minor
A 12 semester hour (sh) Minor in Interdisciplinary Sciences (ISC) is available for students in a wide variety of Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering (HMCSE) and Usha Kundu, MD College of Health (UKMDCOH) majors. The ISC minor provides the opportunity to add value to the major degree and select courses that focus on a particular educational goal or expand their employment opportunities. The ISC minor is especially appropriate for students who require professional school prerequisite courses not included in their current major, for example, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physician Assistant professional schools.
Students should assess the prerequisites for upper-division courses they wish to take to complete the minor.
| Choice of prerequisites as required by chosen professional school: | 0-60 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II and Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | ||
| Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Students must complete 12 sh of advisor-approved 3000/4000 level electives in a field related to the student’s career objectives from UKMDCOH AND/OR HMCSE | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 12-72 | |