Northern Michigan University...Michigan's ThinkPad University
 

Interdisciplinary and Individually Created Programs
 
 
 
 2003-2004
Undergraduate Bulletin

 
 
 

Interdisciplinary and Individually Created Programs

 


Interdisciplinary and Individually Created Programs at NMU

Interdisciplinary programs are those that are co-sponsored by two or more departments. Generally a student chooses an adviser from one of the sponsoring departments. Individually created programs are developed by a student and a faculty member to meet an individual need or interest not offered in a formalized program.

Baccalaureate Degree Interdisciplinary Programs

Secondary Education General Science Major

The biology, chemistry, education, geography, physics departments along with the Seaborg Center for Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics cooperatively offer a general science major for students interested in certification to teach general science at the secondary school level.

General science majors must minor in one of the following secondary education areas:

• biology education

• chemistry education

• earth science education

• physics education

All students majoring in general science must complete the State of Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) subject examinations in two areas: science and the appropriate subject of the minor option selected for endorsement on one’s teaching certificate—either biology, chemistry, earth science or physics.

Students majoring in secondary education general science must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.70 with no grade below a "C" in the professional education sequence, the major and/or minor and required cognates combined.

Social Science Major

The economics, geography, history, political science and public administration and sociology and social work departments cooperate to offer a major in social science. Areas of concentration correspond with departments: economics, geography, history, political science and sociology. Advisement is provided to students by the department selected as the concentration.

 

Technical Communications Major

This major is tailored to meet the needs of contemporary technical communicators, so students will take courses emphasizing both the practical ends of the major (such as graphic arts, writing and desktop publishing) and courses dealing with the theoretical considerations implicit in an ever-evolving, technological workplace (such as global communications, message design and argumentation). Because a variety of minor options will complement this major, students may select a minor, in consultation with an adviser, which best suits individual needs. The art and design, communication and performance studies and the English departments provide student advisement.

Associate Degree Interdisciplinary Program

Associate of Applied Science in General University Studies

The associate of applied science in general university studies is designed to fulfill several objectives. First, it provides a point of access into the university for individuals seeking a post secondary education at the two-year level. Second, the program provides maximum flexibility for students who are either undecided about their career plans or wish to build a program that suits their unique interests. And third, this program provides an opportunity for individuals wishing to build their academic skills in preparation for admittance into a restricted program.

Interdisciplinary Minor Programs

Gender Studies Minor

The gender studies minor explores the significance and meaning of gender in human experience, including the roles, status and accomplishments of women and men within a number of academic fields. Such courses bring new scholarship on gender studies and related feminist theory into the university curriculum, and offer students an opportunity to integrate the perspective of several disciplines into their program. Advisement is provided by Maya Sen, Psychology Department.

 

Labor Studies Minor

The labor studies minor provides students with the knowledge of labor organizations, their functions, their role in society and their future prospects. The minor focuses on the areas of collective bargaining, grievance processing, contract administration, arbitration, labor history, social inequality, labor law, and leadership skills. Student completing the core courses are also awarded the certification in labor leadership. Advisement is provided by Dr. Russ Magnaghi in the history department.

Individually Created Programs at NMU

Individually Created Program (ICP) Baccalaureate Degree

This program is designed for students with clearly defined educational goals that do not correspond with existing programs at Northern Michigan University. It leads to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree with the term "Individualized Studies" appearing in place of the major on the transcript. Students in consultation with their advisers develop a program of individualized concentration which is then submitted to the Individually Created Programs Committee. Students can select their own advisers or obtain advice in the Degree Audits Office about which advisers might be most suitable.

Once the program is drawn up and approved by the Individually Created Programs Committee, an approved outline is filed with the Degree Audits Office as an official contract. Any changes in the contract are submitted to the Individually Created Programs Committee and filed. The committee may withdraw approval on the recommendation of the adviser in cases where the student’s academic capacities clearly fall short of the stated goals.

The following guidelines apply to the degree:

1. Students must obtain a "C" (2.00) or better in all courses in the concentration.

2. Students must complete 40 credits after the program is approved.

3. The program must include 40 credits at the upper division (300-400) level.

4. Liberal studies: Students must complete a minimum of 40 credits for all degrees. (Students cannot "double count" courses in the liberal studies and the concentration.)

5. The program may not include courses that would comprise more than 80 percent of any approved departmental major.

6. Students interested in an individually created program within the College of Business will coordinate with a College of Business adviser. If it is determined that more than 25 percent of the individually created program is appropriate in business, the adviser will make certain that the courses chosen meet the common body of knowledge requirements of The American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.

7. Students with a concentration outside of the College of Business may not take more than 25 percent of their program from courses taught by the College of Business.

8. Admission into an individually created program begins the semester following approval of the committee.

Special Studies Certificate

This is a one year program leading to a certificate. Students design a program to meet their specific needs and interests. The program is designed for those students for whom an associate or baccalaureate degree is not an immediate goal. They can later, if they wish, use this program as a basis for meeting the requirements of a degree program. Students who enter this program develop a course of study, in conjunction with an adviser, on a form provided by the Degree Audit’s Office.

The area of concentration emphasizes a specific area of interest or professional development. The student, with the approval of the adviser, chooses courses from either a single discipline or a combination of disciplines. The student uses courses from one or more disciplines as cognates to support the area of concentration.

Students must obtain a grade of "C" (2.00) or better in the area of concentration in order to graduate.

Interdisciplinary Certification

Labor Studies Certification

The labor studies certification program is intended for union members, union officers, potential union members and aspiring union leaders who are interested in developing their knowledge, leadership skills and perspective through a study program for effective participation in their own union and the labor movement.

An advisory committee made up of labor leaders in cooperation with Northern Michigan University faculty members and administrators determine the nature of this program.

   

Bachelor Degree Programs

Secondary Education General Science Major

Total Credits Required for Degree

125-133

Liberal Studies

30-40*

Health Promotion

2

General Science Major/Minor
(See options I-IV below)

56-64

Professional Education

37

ED 201 Introduction to Education

2

ED 231 Teaching and Learning in the Secondary Classroom

4

ED 301 Dimensions of American Education

2

ED 319 Teaching of Reading for Secondary Teachers

3

ED 349 Teaching for Diversity, Equity and Social Justice in the Secondary School Community

2

ED 361 Special Education and the General Classroom Teacher

2

ED 483 Educational Media Technology

2

ED 430 Teaching in the Secondary School

11

ED 450 Seminar in Teaching

1

MSED 340 Fundamental Concepts in Science

4

MSED 350 Methods and Materials in Teaching Science Education

4

 

MA 104 or 105 is required for many of the courses in this program.  CS 120, MA 171 or PL 160 is recommended for the formal communications studies requirement.

Depending upon the minor chosen, students complete their 56-64 credits of general science curriculum as follows:

Option I*—Students minoring in biology education (20 credits) select 38-40 additional credits of chemistry, geography and physics. Twenty-eight of these credits include CH 111, CH 112, GC 100 and GC 385 and the sequence of PH 201 and 202 or the sequence of PH 220 and 221. The remaining credits are selected from the following to increase the number of credits in one of the above areas to 20: CH 215, 220, 241, 242, 450 and 460; GC 225, 255, 260 and 365.

Option II*—Students minoring in chemistry education (22 credits) take 36-38 additional credits of biology, geography and physics. Twenty-six of these credits include BI 111 and 112; GC 100 and GC 385, and the sequence of PH 201 and PH 202 or the sequence of PH 220 and 221. The remaining credits are selected from the following courses to increase the number of credits in one of the above areas to 20: BI 202, or 222, or 313, or 431, and BI 210 and 312; GC 225, 255, 260, and 365.

Option III*—Students minoring in earth science education (22 credits) take 38-40 additional credits of biology, chemistry and physics. Twenty-eight of these credits include BI 111 and 112; CH 111 and 112, and the sequence of PH 201 and 202 or the sequence of PH 220, 221. The remaining credits are selected from the following courses to increase the number of credits in one of the above areas to 20: BI 202 or 222, or 313, or 431, and BI 210 and 312; CH 215, 220, 241, 242, 450, and 460.

*Note: Students choosing Option I, II or III who take PH 220, 221, may select additional physics courses (PH 322 and PH electives numbered 300 or above to increase the number of credits in physics to 20.

Option IV—Students minoring in physics education (20 credits) must enroll in the PH 220-221 sequence. In addition, they take 36-38 credits from biology, chemistry, and geography. Twenty-six of these credits include BI 111 and 112, CH 111 and 112, GC 100 and GC 385. The remaining credits are selected from the following courses to increase the number of credits in one of the above areas to 20: BI 202 or 222, or 313, or 431, and BI 210 and 312; CH 215, 220, 241, 242, 450, and 460; GC 225, 255, 260, and 365.

The State of Michigan is discontinuing the certification associated with the secondary education general science major.  New students will be accepted into the program during the Fall 2003 semester only.  All students in the major must complete their degree and graduate by May 2007.  The appropriate MTTC examination must be completed by July 2008.

 

Social Science Major

Total Credits Required for Degree

124

Liberal Studies

30-40*

Health Promotion

2

Major
Choose one of the following concentrations:

 

Economics Concentration

36

EC 201 Microeconomic Principles

4

EC 202 Macroeconomic Principles

4

Economics Electives

12

Electives
Choose 8 credits from two of the following four areas: geography*, history, political science or sociology

16

Geography Concentration

36

GC 164 Human Geography
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

4

GC 200 North America

4

GC 220 Economic Geography

4

Choose from the following:

8

GC 300 Regional Studies: World Cultures
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

 

GC 310 Urban Geography

 

GC 360 Population Geography
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

 

GC 435 Geography of Michigan

 

Electives
Choose 8 credits from two of the following four areas: economics, history, political science or sociology.

16

History Concentration

36

HS 200 Historical Thinking and Writing

4

History Electives from 100 or 200 level

8

History Electives from 300 or 400 level

8

Electives
Choose 8 credits from two of the following four areas: economics, geography*, political science, or sociology.

16

Political Science Concentration

36

PS 101 Introduction to Political Science
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

4

PS 105 American Government
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

4

PS 203 Comparative Government and Politics

4

PS 206 International Relations

4

PS 207 History of Political Theory

4

Electives
Choose 8 credits from two of the following four areas: economics, geography*, history, or sociology.

16

Sociology Concentration

36

SO 101 Introductory Sociology
Satisfies one of the foundations of social science requirements.

4

Sociology Electives
(including 8 credits at 300-400 level)

16

Electives
Choose 8 credits from two of the following four areas: economics, geography*, history or political science.

16

Minor

20

 

*Note: Geography electives for economics, history, political science and sociology concentrations must be selected from courses listed in the geography concentration above.

 

Technical Communications Major

Total Credits Required for Degree

128

Liberal Studies

30-40*

Health Promotion

2

Major

59

AD 118 Introduction to Graphic Communication

4

AD 134 Electronic Imaging: Introduction

4

AD 175 Visual Structures and Concepts

4

AD 218 Graphic Communication: Studio Practice

4

BC 165 Introduction to Mass Media

4

EN 303 Technical Writing

4

EN 306 Editing and Layout

4

EN 405 Technical Writing Seminar

4

IS 100 Introduction to Windows, E-mail and the Internet
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.

1

IS 105 Presentation/Multimedia Software
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.

1

IS 107 Beginning Desktop Publishing
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.

1

IS 207 Intermediate Desktop Publishing
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.

1

IS 208 Web Page Development
Satisfies the formal communication studies requirement.

1

MGT 344 Managerial Communications

3

OIS 450 Advanced Desktop Publishing

3

PR 250 Research in Public Relations

4

PR 330 Public Relations Message Design

4

SP 200 Argumentation

4

SP 300 Rhetorical Theory

4

Other Required Courses

8

EN 211D Technical and Report Writing
Satisfies one of the foundations of communications requirements.

4

TE 351 Humanity and Technology
Satisfies one of the foundations of humanities requirements.

4

 

*Complete information on the liberal studies requirements and additional graduation requirements, including the health promotion requirement is in the “Liberal Studies Program and Graduation Requirements” section of this bulletin.

 

Associate Degree Program

General University Studies

(Associate of Applied Sciences)

Total Credits Required for Degree

62

Liberal Studies

18

EN 111 College Composition

4

Natural Science Elective

4

Humanities Elective

4

Social Science Elective

4

CIS/IS Electives

2

Health Promotion

1

HP 200 Physical Well Being

1

Concentration or Contracted Minor*

20

Other Required Courses

4

MA 100 Intermediate Algebra
(or higher or placement test above MA 100)

 

Electives

19

 

*Concentration must be one of the approved minors listed below.

 

List of Approved Minors for Concentrations in the AAS in General University Studies

·Applied Ethics

·Architectural Technology

·Art and Design

·Art History

·Auto Service Technology

·Biology

·Business Administration

·Chemistry

·Clinical Lab Techniques

·Computer Aided Design

·Construction Systems

·Contracted Minor

·Criminal Justice

·Electromechanical Technology

·Electronic Journalism

·Electronics

·Emergency Medical Services

·Environmental Conservation

·Gender Studies

·Health Education-Liberal Arts

·History

·Hospitality Service Management

·Human Biology

·Human Geography

·HVACR

·Industrial Maintenance Technology

·International Studies

·Manufacturing

·Media Production and New Technology

·Music

·Office Services

·Paraprofessional Aide Certificate

·Physical Geography

·Planning

·Political Science

Psychology

Social Welfare

Sociology

Speech Communication

 

Minor Programs

Gender Studies Minor

Total Credits Required for Minor

24

Required Course

4

UN 200 Introduction to Gender Studies*

4

Electives
Choose from the following:

20

EN 250 Images of Women (4 cr.)

 

EN 440 Topics in Gender in Literature (4 cr.)

 

HS 283 The American Woman (4 cr.)

 

PY 235 Psychology of Gender (4 cr.)

 

PY 255 Sexual Behavior: Psychological Perspectives (4 cr.)

 

SO 262 Women, Men and Social Inequality (4 cr.)

 

AN, EN, HS, NE, PY or SO 498 Directed Study** (1-4 cr.)

1-4

Note: Students may substitute one of the following four credit courses for one of the courses listed above.

 

AN 100 Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology

 

HS 293 Minorities in American History

 

SO 282 Minority Groups

 

SO 232 Marriage and the Family

 

A list of courses used in this minor must be developed in consultation with Maya Sen of the Psychology Department, director of the minor.  When approved, a copy of the list will be filed in the Degree Audits Office.  Students may not take more than eight credits from any one department.

*Students are encouraged to take UN 200 as early as possible.

**If chosen, the directed study course should be taken as the final course in the program. Students may count only one directed study course towards the minor.

 

Labor Studies Minor

Total Credits Required for Minor

20-21

Core Courses

17

LSP 101 Introduction to Labor Studies or

4

LSP 101A and LSP 101 B

 

HS 244 The American Labor Movement

2

SO 322 Social Class Power, and Mobility

4

HS 444 Research in Labor History

2

MGT 424 Collective Bargaining

3

LSP 490 Seminar in Labor Leadership

2

Electives

Choose from the following:

3-4

EC 101 The American Economy (4 cr.)

 

EC 337 American Economic History (4 cr.)

 

EC 415 Labor Economics (4 cr.)

 

EC 420 Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy (4 cr.)

 

MGT 240 Organizational Behavior and Management (3 cr.)

 

MGT 343 Human Resource Management (3 cr.)

 

MGT 412 Compensation Administration (3 cr.)

 

MGT 421 Labor Law (3 cr.)

 

PS 309 State and Local Government (4 cr.)

 

PS 341 Social Welfare Policy Making (4 cr.)

 

PS 402 Political Economy (4 cr.)

 

PS 427 Public Personnel Administration (4 cr.)

 

PY 436 The Psychology of Organization Behavior
(4 cr.)

 

SO 282 Minority Groups (4 cr.)

 

SO 474 Occupational Stress (4 cr.)

 

SP 421 Organizational Communication (4 cr.)

 

LSP 295 Special Topics in Labor Studies (1-4 cr.)

 

LSP 495 Special Topics in Labor Studies (1-4 cr.)

 

HS/PS/SO 491 Internship (1-12 cr.)

 

HS/PS/SO 498 Directed Study (1-4 cr.)

 

 

 

Certification Program

Labor Leadership Certification

Total Credits Required for Certification

13-15

LSP 101 Introduction to Labor Studies or

4

LSP 101A and LSP 101B

 

HS 244 The American Labor Movement

2

SO 322 Social Class, Power, and Mobility or

2-4

SO 222 Social Inequality

 

HS 444 Research in Labor History

2

MGT 424 Collective Bargaining

3

LSP 490 Seminar in Labor Leadership

2

 

Baccalaureate Degree Program

Individually Created Program (ICP)

Total Credits Required for Degree

124

Liberal Studies*

40

Health Promotion

2

Concentration

52

General Electives

30

 

*This program does not permit double counting between liberal studies, the concentrations and electives.

 

Certificate Program

Special Studies Certificate

Total Credits Required for Certificate

33

Liberal Studies

8

Natural Science/mathematics elective

4

Humanities or social science elective

4

Health Promotion

1

HP 200 Physical Well Being
If this course is waived for health reasons, the credit need not be replaced.

1

Area of Concentration

12

Cognates
Choose in consultation with adviser.

8

Other Required Course

4

EN 090 Basic Composition or

4

EN 111 College Composition I

 

 

 


Registrar's Office, 301 Cohodas Administration Building
1401 Presque Isle Ave | Marquette, MI 49855 | 1-800-682-9797
Technical questions? E-mail webhelp@nmu.edu
Admissions questions? E-mail admiss@nmu.edu

©2003 by the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University
Page created by: Kimber Olli of Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is an AA/EO Institution.

Northern is Michigan's only participant in IBM's ThinkPad University Program. ThinkPad is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

Last Updated: Thursday, July 10, 2003