Major Requirements & Forms

IDM Major Requirements

A detailed list of IDM policies and major requirements is located in the IDM Student Handbook (below under "Forms for Current Students"). In brief, all IDMs will meet the following guidelines:

  • A minimum of 12 units or a maximum of 15 units may be counted toward the IDM.
  • A maximum of 4 units at the 100-course level can be counted toward the major. Language courses at the 100 level cannot be counted as part of the major.
  • A minimum of 10 units designated must be at the 200-course number level or above.
  • Courses should be progressively more rigorous and complex (i.e. 200, 300, and 400-level courses). Through the plan of study, it should be clear that the student is prepared to take all upper-division courses.
  • A minimum of 2 methodology/theory courses should be taken, one from each disciplinary foundation. These two courses must be completed before block 7 of the Junior year (in advance of GS350).
  • IDM Students must take GS350: Interdisciplinary Research: Process and Theory during block 7 of their Junior year.
    • In extenuating circumstances, the GS350 requirement may be waived by the Director. In this case, students are required to take a 2-unit IDM thesis (GS400 and GS401).
  • IDM Students must take GS400: IDM Thesis and may elect to take a second thesis block GS401: IDM Thesis.
  • Up to three courses can be transferred from another institution and only one above the 100 level. All courses must be eligible for transfer per the transfer credit guidelines listed on the Registrar's website. Syllabi for each transfer course should be submitted with the proposed plan of study.
  • Combining an IDM with a second major is a challenging undertaking that should be approached with care.  Since the IDM is meant to offer a course of study that cannot be fulfilled via an existing major, extensive overlap between the proposed IDM and a second major would violate the intent of the program.   Permission to pursue a second major in addition to the IDM must be approved in advance by the IDM Director.

In addition to the coursework on a student's plan of study approved by the IDM review committee, all IDM students will complete the following:

  • All appropriate All-College and elective requirements as listed in the Colorado College catalog.
  • All courses approved for their plan of study, including one or two units of GS400: Senior Thesis I and GS401: Senior Thesis II.
  • A minimum grade of 2.0 or S in each major course. 
Report an issue - Last updated: 02/08/2024