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.
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:
Individualized Study Option Requirements
- The 70 major credits must be completed in MATRICULATED STATUS.
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
General Electives
22 credits
Areas of Knowledge
Within the above-listed 90 credits, students must complete 10 credits of each Area of Knowledge 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.
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.
Individualized Study advances the four core IAS learning objectives.
Faculty Contact
Linda Watts (faculty coordinator for Individualized Study).