Interdisciplinary Sciences
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Interdisciplinary Sciences |
| Specializations: | Interdisciplinary Sciences Zoo Science |
| Minor: | Interdisciplinary Sciences |
| College: | Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering |
| CIP Code: | 30.0101 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
Interdisciplinary Science
| Building | Phone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building 4, Room 237 | (850) 474-3018 | https://uwf.edu/hmcse/ | pmoorer@uwf.edu |
Zoo Science
| Building | Phone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building 58C, Room 104A | (850) 474-2748 | https://uwf.edu/hmcse/departments/biology/ | biology@uwf.edu |
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. The program covers two specializations: Zoo Science (BS) and Interdisciplinary Sciences (BS). 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 sh) and science (7 sh) components of General Education with coursework taken from the recommendations shown below.
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, 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 "University Requirements" section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Multicultural Requirement
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. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions 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 first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
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.
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 (+Lab) | ||
| Biology II (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
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 (+Lab) | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II (+Lab) | ||
or | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| 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 (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
or STA 2023 | Elements of Statistics | |
| Physical Geology (+Lab) | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Biology II (+Lab) | ||
or | ||
| General Botany (+Lab) | ||
| Choose one of the following groups: | 8 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II (+Lab) | ||
or | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| 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 (+Lab) | ||
| Biology II (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | ||
| Elements of Statistics | ||
COP XXXX | Intro to Programming in ADA, C, C++, Pascal or equivalent language | |
| Physical Geology (+Lab) | ||
| Choose one group: | 8 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II (+Lab) | ||
or | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| 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 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+L | Cell Biology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 3063 | Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 3020+L | Microbiology (+Lab) | 4 |
| BCH 3033+L | Biochemistry I (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4233+L | Immunology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4524+L | Molecular Biology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4673 | Principles of Evolution | 3 |
| PCB 4922 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| PCB 4098+L | Concepts in Human Physiology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4723+L | Comparative Animal Physiology (+Lab) | 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+L | Cell Biology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 3063+L | Genetics (+Lab) | 4 |
| MCB 3020+L | Microbiology (+Lab) | 4 |
| BCH 3033+L | Biochemistry I (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 3097L | Introduction to Human Anatomy Laboratory | 3 |
| PCB 4233+L | Immunology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4524+L | Molecular Biology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4673 | Principles of Evolution | 3 |
| PCB 4922 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| PCB 4098+L | Concepts in Human Physiology (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 4723+L | Comparative Animal Physiology (+Lab) | 4 |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences Options | ||
| GEO 3210 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| GEO 4221+L | Coastal Morphology and Processes (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4357 | Environment and Economy | 3 |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) | 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+L | Coastal Morphology and Processes (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4250+L | Weather and Climate (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4260+L | Geography of Soils (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4280+L | Basic Hydrology (+Lab) | 4 |
| GEO 4357 | Environment and Economy | 3 |
| GIS 4043+L | Geographic Information Systems (+Lab) | 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 | |
Zoo Science Specialization
The Zoo Science Specialization is designed for and limited to students who have completed an A.S. in Zoo Animal Technology from Santa Fe College (Gainesville, FL). It provides further study of the field with an emphasis on the biological sciences. The specialization has been designed to prepare students for a wide variety of careers in the animal industry, in such fields as zookeeper, curator, or director or operating one’s own animal industry business. It is not designed as a pre-veterinary medicine program and does not include all of the courses normally required for admission to a college of veterinary medicine.
A minimum grade of "C-" or better is required in all courses. Biology Program minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, 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 "University Requirements" section of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Students transferring from Florida Community Colleges with an A.S. should consult with an advisor in the department before determining which other courses will need to be taken to complete UWF’s General Education Program.
Multicultural Requirement
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. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions 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 first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 | Complete a course or exam |
| Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter | Complete both a course and exam |
Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.
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.
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.
There are no specified common prerequisites for this major. All Florida College System students are encouraged to complete the Associate degree. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area at the intended transfer institution.
Major Required Courses
| CHM 2045+L | General Chemistry I (+Lab) | 4 |
| CHM 2046+L | General Chemistry II (+Lab) | 4 |
| BSC 2844 | Biology Skills (recommended in first year at UWF) | 1 |
| BSC 2011+L | Biology II (+Lab) | 4 |
| BSC 4303 | Biogeography | 3 |
| PCB 3063+L | Genetics (+Lab) | 4 |
| PCB 3043+L | Ecology (+Lab) | 4 |
| BSC 4860 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| PCB 4723 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
| ZOO 4513 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
| MAN 3025 | Management Fundamentals | 3 |
| MAR 3023 | Marketing Fundamentals | 3 |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Major-Related Courses
| Choose three of the following courses: | 9-11 | |
| Principles of Evolution | ||
| Marine Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Marine Vertebrate Zoology | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Avian Science | ||
| Marine Mammalogy | ||
| Choose two of the following courses: | 4-6 | |
| Accounting for Non-Majors * | ||
| Personal Computer Applications | ||
| Principles of Economic Theory and Public Policy * | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
PCB 4905 | Biology Directed Study | |
3000/4000 level Business Elective * | ||
| Total Hours | 13-17 | |
- *
Choosing these 2 business courses affords students the opportunity to earn a Business minor. Business minors must also include a computer literacy course. See advisor for details.
Upper-Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper-division or complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. Animal Science PAZ may be able to count towards these elective hours. | 5-9 | |
Major GPA Calculation
The upper-division courses (3000-4000 level) with the following prefixes will be used in calculating the major grade point average: BCH, BOT, BSC, HSA, HSC, MLS, PCB, and ZOO.
Interdisciplinary Sciences Minor
A 12 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 (+Lab) | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II (+Lab) | ||
| Biology I (+Lab) | ||
| Biology II (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| General Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Organic Chemistry I (+Lab) | ||
| Organic Chemistry II (+Lab) | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| Calculus-Based Physics II (+Lab) | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I (+Lab) | ||
| 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 | |