Interdisciplinary Programs

Biochemistry Major
(See Chemistry Department)

International Studies Major
(See International Studies Department)

Liberal Arts and Sciences Major
(See Liberal Arts program site)

Science Technologist Major
(See Clinical Sciences Department)

Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental/Pre-physician/Pre-chiropractic Major
(See Preprofessional program site)

Environmental Science
(See Environmental Science program site)

Secondary Education General Science Major

The Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Education, Geography, Physics, and the Seaborg Center cooperatively offer a general science major for students interested in certification to teach general science at the secondary school level. All secondary education students are advised by the Seaborg Center faculty.

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: the science examination and the appropriate subject examination of the minor option selected for endorsement on one's teaching certificate–either biology, chemistry, physics or earth science.

Secondary Education Industrial Technology
(See Industrial Technology Department)

Secondary Education Social Studies Major

The secondary education social studies major consists of two courses–three semester hours each, minimum–in each of the following four required areas: economics, geography, history, and political science. The additional credits comprising the 36 required hours may be accumulated by taking courses in any one or more of the four required areas. One course must be at the 300-400 level. Although advisement is provided by the History department, students must meet the criteria for admission and retention in the Teacher Education program (see Education).

Social Science Major

The Departments of Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology cooperate to offer a major in social science. Areas of concentration correspond with departments: economics, geography, history, and political science and sociology. Advisement is provided to students by the department selected as the concentration.

Sports Science Major
(See Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department)

Technical Communications Major

This major is tailored to meet the needs of contemporary technical communicators, so students will take courses emphasizing both the practical applications 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 departments of Art and Design, Communication and Performance Studies, and English and the Walker L. Cisler College of Business co-operative provide student advisement.

Water Science Major

This curriculum includes the credit hour equivalent of a major plus a minor. This program is for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in oceanography, limnology, water chemistry, aquatic biology, or environmental science. The program also prepares students for state, federal, and industrial positions related to water pollution and water quality. Students should apply to the Department of Biology or Chemistry for an adviser.

Business Administration Minor
(See Walker L. Cisler College of Business)

Cluster Minors

Cluster minors developed with course work from two or more departments outside the student's major are interdisciplinary. Cluster minors are available only for those majors which have received approval from the Committee on Undergraduate Programs and are so indicated in the department's section of the bulletin. Students opting for cluster minors must have the cluster approved in writing on the appropriate form, and forwarded to the Degree Audits Office during their junior year of study. Forms are available from the major department, and must receive approval from all departments who offer courses included in the cluster.

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.

Students are encouraged to take UN 200 as early as possible. A list of courses used in this minor must be developed in consultation with Professor Katherine Payant of the Department of English, director of the program. When approved, a copy of the list will be filed in the Registrar's Office. Students may not take more than eight credits from any one department.

Group Science Minor
(See Chemistry Department)

Human Services Group Minor
(See Psychology Department)

Native American Studies Minor
(See Center for Native American Studies)

Religious Studies Minor
(See Philosophy 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 B.A. or B.S. degree with the term "Individually Created Program" 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 ICP 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 ICP Committee, an approved outline is filed with the registrar as an official contract. Any changes in the contract are submtted to the ICP Committtee 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% 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% 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 ICP begins the semester following approval of the ICP committee.