UNIV 198:Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research: Students develop basic data collection and interpretation skills, learn to use and evaluate various information sources, and develop an awareness of how both methods and sources arise from disciplinary contexts. Students will be introduced to current theory on interdisciplinary learning and begin to practice methods and processes that lead to interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration.
UNIV 298:Further Investigations: In each section of 298, the entire class enters the “process of answering a question, solving a problem, or addressing a topic that is too broad or complex to be dealt with adequately by a single discipline” (Klein and Newell, 1997). As students approach parts of the larger problem, they gain experience in deciding what methods and types of information are necessary. In collaborating with each other, they will identify disciplinary perspectives and integrate their insights by building a more comprehensive perspective.
UNIV 398:Advanced Investigations: Students explore an interdisciplinary research question by developing their own research plans, drawing on multiple disciplines and the multiple approaches to research presented in the 198/298 sequence. Students will disseminate results through a research paper and presentations on campus and in local schools. In addition, students will be required to identify and apply to relevant summer research programs, internships, and scholarships.
UNIV 498:Faculty-Student Research Collaboration: A group of 4-10 students works on an interdisciplinary research project that directly relates to a faculty mentor’s research program. Student work will be completely original and either publishable on its own or a key part of the faculty member’s publishable work.