Undergraduate Extended Accelerator Pathway (3-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies – Diversity Studies

at Shorelight Group - University of Central Florida USA

Interdisciplinary Studies is a university-wide program leading to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, depending on the concentration of work selected in consultation with an Interdisciplinary Studies advisor. The program is administered through the Interdisciplinary Studies Department and is designed for academic flexibility. It recognizes that there are many combinations of courses that meet the needs of individual students.

The Biotechnology B.S. produces highly trained workers that will meet the workforce needs of the biotechnology industry. Students seeking admission to professional schools (medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, podiatry, and pharmacy) will meet most of the admission requirements for those programs while obtaining a Biotechnology B.S. degree.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts track in Stage Management is offered for students who, upon graduation, plan to pursue a specialized career as a Manager in the entertainment industry including Broadway, Regional Theatre, Touring, Special Events, etc. It provides the student with a thorough foundation in theatre complemented by very structured and intensive career preparation in both the art and the craft of theatrical stage management. Students spend the first year of the curriculum working within the structure of the laboratory classes to gain a thorough understanding of the structure, process, and craft skills. Within the first four semesters, those who qualify receive an assignment on a Stage Management team. The student Stage Managers work with the Faculty Directors to manage the rehearsal through performance process of all Department Productions. Stage Managers also have opportunities to work directly with our partner theatres within Orlando (ex. The Orlando Repertory Theatre) as part of the curriculum thus giving each student practical experience as they build their professional portfolios. The curriculum requires students to become proficient in design, technology, and theatre management through specified coursework. In their advanced course work, student Stage Managers receive a thorough introduction to the collective bargaining agreements within Actor's Equity Association. The program culminates with a professional internship where students are able to apply their education in a real world work environment. While most students choose to enter the workforce following graduation, the BFA is an excellent degree for students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in all areas of theatre. Work within the BFA program requires energy and dedication; therefore, other part-time study or outside employment is very challenging. BFA standards are high, both for admission and for continuation in the program. Production assignments are regulated to serve the artistic growth of students thus coordinating production experience with class room exploration.

Students interested in majoring in marketing have two options: the marketing management track or the professional selling track. The marketing management track provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in entry-level positions in marketing management, product/brand management, or positions in retail, sales, market research, or promotion. The professional selling track prepares students for positions in B-B selling, with the potential to advance into either sales management or marketing management. Not eligible for a double degree with another College of Business Administration major.

The Pre- Health Professional Biology Track is designed for students seeking entrance into professional health programs including medicine (MD or DO), veterinary medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.  Students in this track will also be well prepared if they decide to apply to graduate school.  In addition to core Biology courses in Genetics and Molecular & Cellular Biology, this track emphasizes courses in development, physiology, and anatomy.  Moreover, electives like Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Evolution & Medicine as well as lab courses in Anatomy, Genetics and Genomics will give students the background needed to excel in professional school entrance exams (e.g. the MCAT) as well as courses offered in those professional schools.

The Environmental Studies degree prepares students for a number of interesting and challenging careers. Its interdisciplinary nature provides students with tools that can be applied across a spectrum of science, social behavior, and humanities, using the strengths of the various areas. Students seeking journalistic or artistic careers will gain a scientific background by which to understand environmental science, while students going into the sciences will appreciate the social, political, and ethical dimensions of environmental actions and policy decisions.

The Ecology, Evolutionary and Conservation Biology (EECB) track is designed for students to learn about biological systems ranging from the smaller scale processes that occur within cells up to, and including, larger scale processes that result in the diversity and dynamics of ecological communities.  This track emphasizes courses in genetics, taxonomic diversity, structural biology, ecology, evolution, and physiology.  Courses such as Conservation Biology, Population Genetics, Biogeography, and Evolutionary Biology introduce students to a solid understanding of the natural world.  Other courses such as Disease Ecology & Eco-immunology, specialized lab courses and experiential learning opportunities broaden the experience that students receive.  This track allows for significant opportunities for independent research working with professors and their graduate students in both laboratory and field settings. The EECB track prepares students for graduate study at any major university or immediate employment with local, state and federal agencies, with the private sector (e.g., environmental assessment firms), and/or privately-funded environmental and conservation organizations.

The Latin American Studies, B.A. is an interdisciplinary program including the fields of anthropology, art, English, history, language and literature, music, and political science. The program provides students with the necessary tools and relevant knowledge to understand, study, and work with Hispanic populations.

Students gain a broad and thorough understanding of the Americas in terms of their historical, cultural, social, economic, and political dimensions. They also develop a basic proficiency in Spanish, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance multidisciplinary awareness and competence regarding the terminology and methods of various disciplines within the arts, humanities, and social sciences.