The Individualized Study (IS) option within the Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed for highly-motivated students who want to create their own course of study. IS students work closely with one or more faculty mentors in IAS or other programs at UW Bothell as they shape a degree suited to their intellectual and professional interests and ambitions.
Housed in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (IAS) program, IS allows students to create degree options in subjects ranging from science communication and environmental education to gender studies and digital arts. The resulting student-driven curriculum includes formal and informal meetings between students and their faculty mentors, along with a portfolio-based process of self-reflection on their learning as it evolves.
Graduating IS students develop careers and pursue graduate education in a wide variety of fields, depending on their chosen area of study. As important, they gain experience and document success in one of the crucial predictors of success in any of those fields: the ability to undertake a self-directed project in collaboration with others, to reflect critically on its development in process, and to complete it in a timely fashion. For more information about career possibilities or pursuing graduate school please click here.
Individualized Study Option Requirements
Preparation for this Degree Option
Students can't apply directly to this option. Students apply in their junior year after they have completed at least one quarter of coursework in IAS, including BIS 300. Students interested in pursuing the Individualized Study option work with a faculty member to develop a substantive proposal. (Please see the student handout for details on the application.) This proposal is then reviewed by a faculty oversight committee. If approved, requirements vary from proposal to proposal. Minimally, they need to include the following:
Degree Requirements
40 credits
A minimum of forty credits of coursework in the approved course of study, including three two-credit Portfolio Reflection courses (one in the first quarter of individualized study; one at the midpoint; and one in the final quarter).
28 credits
BIS 300 Interdisciplinary Inquiry (5 credits)
BIS 499 Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
Additional IAS Coursework (20 credits)
22 credits
General Electives
TOTAL= 90 Credits
School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (IAS) Requirements & Policies
Interdisciplinary Practice & Reflection (IPR)
Within the above-listed 90 credits, students must complete the IPR requirement.
Areas of Knowledge
25 credits must be completed in each Area of Knowledge. At least 10 credits in each Area must be completed in courses offered by UW Bothell. The Areas of Knowledge are: Visual, Literary and Performing Arts (VLPA), Individuals and Societies (I&S), and Natural World (NW).
Multiply-designated courses may not be double-counted as fulfilling two Areas of Knowledge. Courses may apply to both an Area of Knowledge requirement and an IS major requirement.
Lower Division Credit Policy
Up to 35 credits of lower division (100-200 level) coursework taken at UW Bothell may be applied toward designated requirements within the 90 program credits. Please contact an IAS adviser for details.
Matriculated status
With the exception of the General Electives, courses taken to satisfy IS major requirements must be completed in matriculated status.
Admitted prior to Autumn Quarter, 2012?
Students admitted to the IS major prior to Autumn 2012 may be eligible to complete an older set of major requirements. Students with questions about their major requirements should contact an IAS adviser.
Individualized Study advances the four core IAS learning objectives.