Multidisciplinary Studies

The bachelor of arts in multidisciplinary studies reflects Missouri S&T's recognition that technological change, both in the modern workplace and, to a lesser extent, in our leisure lives, increasingly cuts across the traditional boundaries of degrees and disciplines. Offered through the department of arts, languages, and philosophy, this degree permits students whose interests cross these boundaries to combine courses in two or three different "focus areas" to create a coherent and academically sound non-traditional program of study.

All students in the B.A. multidisciplinary studies program will complete the basics skills and concepts and general education requirements and generally comply with the requirements for the B.A. degree. However, in lieu of the traditional major and minor requirements, student will complete two (24 and 21 hours respectively) or three (15 hours each) focus area chosen from among the various disciplines offered at Missouri S&T. GPA requirements for each area are the same as those for major fields. B.A. multidisciplinary studies students will also complete a 3-hour capstone course (ALP 4397) that reflects the students' ability to synthesize methods and knowledge from each focus area into an academically coherent product.

Students design their multidisciplinary programs in coordination with a multidisciplinary studies advisor in the department of arts, languages, and philosophy. For each program, the advisor will work with the student to convene and chair a degree committee consisting of one faculty member from each focus area. Student in the program are expected to develop a sensible rationale for their course of study, justifying both the combination of disciplines and each course chosen within that combination in the context of their own needs and interests. Individual programs and capstone course activities are subject to approval of the degree committee.

French Language and French-Speaking Cultures Emphasis Area

The B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on French Language and French-Speaking Cultures consists of 30 language credits plus 15 credits in a third focus area. Focus Area 1 is French Language, Focus Area 2 is French-Speaking Cultures. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be at least the 3000 or 4000 level.

Focus Area 1: French Language, 15 credits, selecting from the list below. At least 6 of these credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

FRENCH 1180Intermediate French4
FRENCH 2110Basic French Conversation3
FRENCH 2180Basic French Composition3
FRENCH 2330Introduction to Professional French3
FRENCH 4311Advanced French Conversation3
FRENCH 4330Professional French3
FRENCH 4340French for Engineering3

 Focus Area 2: French-Speaking Cultures, 15 credits selecting from the list below. At least 12 of these credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

FRENCH 2330Introduction to Professional French3
FRENCH 2170Masterpieces Of French Literature3
FRENCH 3010The Francophone World3
FRENCH 3020Contemporary French and Francophone Literature3
FRENCH 3370Survey Of French Literature I (Early Period)3
FRENCH 3375Survey Of French Literature II (Modern Period)3
FRENCH 4320French and Francophone Cinema3
FRENCH 4330Professional French3
FRENCH 4360French Culture And Civilization3

Additional coursework may count toward language focus areas with advisor approval. These include:

FRENCH 3000Special Problems0-6
FRENCH 3001Special Topics0-6
FRENCH 4000Special Problems0-6
FRENCH 4001Special Topics0-6
FRENCH 4010Seminar0-6
Courses taken in French during study abroad

Spanish Language and Spanish-Speaking Cultures Emphasis Area

The B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Spanish Language and Spanish-Speaking Cultures consists of 30 language credits plus 15 credits in a third focus area. Focus Area 1 is Spanish Language. Focus Area 2 is Spanish-Speaking Cultures. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Focus Area 1: Spanish Language, 15 credits, selecting from the list below.  At least 6 of these credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. 

SPANISH 1180Intermediate Spanish4
SPANISH 2110Basic Spanish Conversation3
SPANISH 2180Intermediate Spanish Composition3
SPANISH 2330Introduction to Professional Spanish3
SPANISH 3100Spanish Translation for Technical Applications3
SPANISH 4302Phonetics and Phonology of Spanish3
SPANISH 4311Advanced Spanish Conversation3
SPANISH 4330Professional Spanish3

Focus Area 2: Spanish-Speaking Cultures, 15 credits, selecting from the list below. At least 12 of these credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.

SPANISH 2160Hispanic Culture3
SPANISH 2161Contemporary Latin America3
SPANISH 2170Masterpieces Of Hispanic Literature3
SPANISH 2330Introduction to Professional Spanish3
SPANISH 4330Professional Spanish3
SPANISH 4350Spanish Literature, Science, and Technology3
SPANISH 4370Survey Of Spanish Literature3
SPANISH 4377Spanish-American Novel And Short Story3

Additional coursework may count toward language focus areas with the approval of the student's advisor. These include:

SPANISH 3000Special Problems0-6
SPANISH 3001Special Topics0-6
SPANISH 4000Special Problems0-6
SPANISH 4001Special Topics0-6
SPANISH 4010Seminar1-3
Courses taken in Spanish during study abroad

Global Engineering Emphasis Area

This emphasis area is meant to distinguish the accomplishments of and provide further credentials for students who complete the entirety of Missouri S&T's Global Engineering Program. The requirements for the Global Engineering emphasis area are as follows: 

  • Completion of one of the above emphasis areas, namely,
    • French Language and French-Speaking Cultures, or
    • Spanish Language and Spanish-Speaking Cultures
  • Completion of a B.S. in an engineering discipline
  • Completion of at least one semester abroad in an area where the target language (French or Spanish) is spoken
  • Completion of a one-semester professional internship or research assistantship abroad in an area where the target language is spoken

Intercultural Studies Certificate

This certificate program is for students from any major who wish to expand their knowledge of intercultural issues from a multidisciplinary perspective, and develop the knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to work successfully in today's global and interconnected world. Students select four courses from an approved list in consultation with their certificate advisor. Many of the courses also fulfill requirements for degree programs.

Students must meet regular Missouri S&T undergraduate admission requirements.

Certificate Requirements

Choose one:

HISTORY 1200Modern Western Civilization3
ENGLISH 1212British Literature II 1800 To Present3

Choose three additional courses:

SP&M S 3235Intercultural Communication3
PSYCH 4992Cross-Cultural Psychology3
HISTORY 2110World Regional Geography3
HISTORY 2220Making Of Modern Britain3
HISTORY 2221Making of Modern Germany3
HISTORY 2222The Making Of Modern France3
HISTORY 2224Making Of Modern Russia3
HISTORY 3240Contemporary Europe3
HISTORY 3660Modern East Asia3
POL SCI 2500International Relations3
POL SCI 4500Geopolitics and International Security3
POL SCI 4510The Politics of the Global South3
ENGLISH 2002Critical Approaches To Literature3
ENGLISH 3219The British Novel II3
ENGLISH 3233Contemporary British Literature3
ENGLISH 3304Language in Society3
TCH COM 4450International Dimensions of Technical Communication3
ECON 4642Introduction to Global Eco- and Social-preneurship and Innovation3
ECON 4643Ethical Problems in a Global Environment3

Michel Gueldry, Professor
PHD University of Toulouse

Audra Lynn Merfeld-Langston, Associate Professor
PHD Pennsylvania State University

Superscripts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the faculty listing refer to the following common footnotes:
1 Registered Professional Engineer
2 Registered Geologist
3 Certified Health Physicist
4 Registered Architect
5 Board Certified, American Academy of Environmental Engineers
6 LEED AP Certified