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Interdisciplinary Studies

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Interdisciplinary Studies (INDIS) Courses

INDIS 313 Freshman Seminar

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: 313, HCD 310, HCD 315 and HCD 318 combined: Maximum credit, 3 units )
  • General Education:AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course treats success holistically by exploring the interpersonal, intrapersonal, and the "soft" skills needed to be successful in today's world. Students will examine their own educational and/or career goals, and learn how to make strategic decisions about their own learning. Students will evaluate their daily activities, choices, and behaviors while observing their impact on their ability to create habits that contribute to their success. The psychological, sociological and physiological impacts will also be addressed. Students will be required to complete either: 1) eight hours of volunteer service or 2) participate in eight hours of campus life or 3) eight hours of additional classwork reflective of the pathway in which the course is offered.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • define the principles of deep and lasting learning, the CORE (Collect, Organize, Rehearse, Evaluate) learning system, the physiological impact of stress on the body, and evaluate one's self-esteem and core beliefs.
  • identify life goals and define steps needed to be successful in school, work, and life.
  • analyze one's own behaviors, beliefs, and choices that impact success.
  • incorporate wise choices and behaviors to improve one's own success in school, work, and life.
  • engage in practical, hands-on learning experiences for the pathway by participating in extracurricular activities or volunteer work as assigned by the instructor and evaluating that experience.

INDIS 314 Study Skills for Science Disciplines

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Corequisite:Current enrollment in a science course.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course offers individualized instructional modules designed to improve study strategies appropriate for various science classes and allied health programs. A partial list of skills may include the following: principles of learning and retention, active reading and listening, note taking, annotating, discipline-based vocabulary, paraphrasing, test preparation, test taking, and problem solving. This course is offered in a flexible TBA format of 27 laboratory hours in order to accommodate the student's schedule. Registration is open through the tenth week of the semester. This course is graded on a pass/no pass basis.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • assess personal academic strengths and weaknesses.
  • use active learning strategies to engage with classroom lectures and texts.
  • utilize effective techniques to prepare for course examinations.

INDIS 315 Study Skills for Science Disciplines II

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Corequisite:Current enrollment in a science course.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course offers individualized instructional modules designed to acquire or improve study strategies for science, allied health, or nutrition courses. Strategies build on prior skills learned in earlier study skills courses, and they include the intensive study cycle, advanced concept mapping, stress management, mastering science vocabulary, improving on note-taking and listening, visual learning, and advanced problem solving. Registration is open through the tenth week of the semester. This course, which is graded Pass/No Pass, is offered in a flexible TBA format of 27 laboratory hours to accommodate the student's schedule.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • apply new study techniques to improve learning in higher-level science courses.
  • incorporate specific strategies learned to successfully complete assignments and projects in science courses.
  • appraise her/his studying behavior, and appropriately adjust it to different academic disciplines and especially the subdisciplines of science.

INDIS 495 Independent Studies in Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course involves a student working individually on a topic of study and research beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. Upon approval of the proposed topic, the student will work and keep in contact with the advisory faculty to successfully complete the study topic. Students may take this course up to four times without duplication of the topics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate the understanding of concepts, processes and techniques involved with the topic of study.
  • discriminate and analyze the major concerns of the topic of study.

Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

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This program is part of the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences meta-major.

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics icon

This program is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics meta-major.

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