The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) serves as an incubator for collaboration, innovation, and experimentation for students and faculty whose work spans different disciplines. CIS promotes both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary* learning, teaching, and scholarship at the College–approaches that are an integral part of a liberal arts education.
* Interdisciplinary generally refers to the integration of methods and knowledge from two or more disciplines. Multidisciplinary approaches draw upon several disciplines to address a question or set of issues.
Students have the option to apply to one of the standing major/minor programs with a designated advisor, listed on the CIS website, or they may work with the CIS Director and an individual faculty advisor to propose a unique interdisciplinary major or minor that draws upon relevant coursework from at least three departments on campus. Generally, students apply to CIS programs after their first year.