If you declared your major prior to fall 2021, consult the GS requirements.
Not sure where to look? Review our frequently asked questions or contact the program director.
FAQs
What can I do with a major from the Multidisciplinary Science Program?
Multidisciplinary science can work for many career interests. It can be an appropriate major for students interested in health-related careers (medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical technology). The degree may be particularly useful to students whose scientific interests do not fit well within a single discipline. The neurosciences, environmental sciences, and biophysical sciences are examples of such cross disciplinary areas. Combined with a second major or minor in english, multidisciplinary science can be excellent preparation for a writing career in science, technology, or natural history. The major also works well for students who want to teach elementary school or middle school science.
How should I prepare if I’m currently in high school?
High school students planning to major in Multidisciplinary Science should take as much mathematics as possible, including two years of algebra and trigonometry. They should also take science courses in their areas of interest.
Should I take courses pass/no pass?
24 of the 32 upper-division credits required for the major must be taken for a grade instead of pass/no pass. We recommend that all your multidisciplinary science classes be taken for graded credit. All emphasis-area credits must be taken for a letter grade.
Note: if graduate or professional study is a part of your future, you should take your academic courses graded since many post-graduate schools do not allow P/NP credit. Admissions committees in graduate/professional schools will scrutinize your transcript(s).
Should I double-major or minor in another area? What courses outside the major would be useful?
Adding a second major in a non-science field is an excellent idea. Students might be interested in language, business, or education courses, depending on their career goals.
An additional minor in a specific science field is often desirable and easy to obtain. Students can double-count upper-division courses in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and mathematics that have been taken for the multidisciplinary science major for a minor in those specific fields.
We strongly discourage multidisciplinary science majors from pursuing a second major in a science field. Students join the multidisciplinary science program to design their own science degree. Also, the upper-division credits that you use for your second major cannot be counted towards your upper-division credits. In general, you will have to find two other emphasis areas to use for your upper-division credits. Exceptions are made, but these are rare. Any credit hours beyond what you need for your major can be used for upper-division credit.
Whether or not you decide to do a minor or a second major, there are many courses at the University of Oregon that you can take to enhance your major. An obvious example is WR 320, Scientific and Technical Writing. The program director has a list of some of the more obvious ones (most of which carry upper-division credit). Though some of these courses have prerequisites, you may be able to get the instructor's permission due to your background in related areas.
How will my Multidisciplinary Science courses fit into the University of Oregon graduation requirements?
- All credits earned toward your major count toward the 180 credits you need for the bachelor's degree.
- All upper-division credits earned in the major count toward the 62 upper-division credits required for the bachelor’s degree.
- The lower division science sequences more than satisfy your science (Group III) requirements.
Where can I get additional advising resources?
Early Pre-professional Advising (health sciences, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, engineering, teacher education) is essential for students planning to go on to professional programs when they complete the bachelor's degree. See the Preparatory Programs section of the Office of Academic Advising for the names, campus addresses, and phone numbers of pre-professional advisors.
The Career Center provides job listings regarding numerous fields around the country. They also offer an excellent resource library and skilled counselors who are experienced in helping students define their career goals.
How do I petition the Multidisciplinary Science Program?
Any special requests or changes you wish to make to your degree program should be emailed (clearly) to the program director. Your petition will be considered and ruled on in the shortest possible amount of time. If you are unhappy with the result of your petition, you may appeal to the Associate Dean of Natural Sciences.
General Science Requirements
Prior to fall term 2021, the Multidisciplinary Science Program and major (MSCI) was named the General Science Program (GS). With the new name came improvements to the major requirements, making them more flexible and better aligned with the requirements of our affiliated departments. We strongly encourage all remaining GS majors to switch to MSCI by filling out our change of major form. Switching from GS to MSCI will not increase time to degree completion, and in some cases may decrease it.
Because the GS major requirements are more restrictive than the MSCI requirements we strongly encourage remaining GS majors to closely consult their degree guides to make sure they are completing all requirements properly. Your degree guide is the only place to find up to date, accurate, requirements for the GS major. If you are unsure how to interpret your degree guide please make use of our Advising resources.