The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) Program is an interdisciplinary degree program that serves the needs of students who want to create a specific academic program, obtain a broad liberal education, prepare for particular career goals, or go to graduate school. The program best suits students who have developed a sense of their educational and life goals, and who are looking for ways to express those values through an individualized university program.
To accomplish these general outcomes, BIS students complete course work in three different disciplines. As a culminating experience, students then synthesize the three areas in a capstone project. The BIS degree option is available to students in good standing at Weber State University with a GPA of 2.5 or above. Students must formally apply for admittance into the BIS program, and must take 15 credit hours in the program after they are accepted.
A BIS student can expect to take a minimum of 18 credit hours in each of three areas of emphasis, plus 4 hours for the capstone preparation and project, for a total of 58 credits in the BIS program.
All prospective students must meet with the BIS Coordinator to plan a course of study, and be admitted into the program. Call 801-626-7713 to schedule an appointment. For more information, see the BIS Webpage
Refer to General Requirements for bachelor's degree requirements. Honors students may elect to fulfill this requirement through the Honors general education option.
Every BIS student will take a minimum of 18 credit hours in three different academic departments or institutionally recognized disciplines (two of which must offer upper division credit) as approved by the department and the BIS Coordinator. Any change in the course contract must be approved by the chair of the appropriate department and the BIS coordinator.
This class will prepare students to successfully complete the BIS capstone thesis project, and to prepare themselves professionally for careers and graduate school. (Required prerequisite for capstone)
The BIS capstone project gives students the opportunity to integrate their three areas of emphasis into a single thesis. (Required for graduation)
The opportunity to earn 1 to 3 credits for an internship is available to students in the BIS program. Please contact the BIS coordinator for more information.
A Departmental Honors designation is available through the BIS degree by completing the following requirements:
- The student must be admitted into the BIS program which includes a meeting with the BIS Coordinator to plan the course of study. The student must then ALSO be admitted to the Honors Program and meet with the Honors' advisor. Students completing Departmental Honors in BIS may choose one of the following options:
- Option I: Complete 2 Honors Colloquium courses (Honors 3900) totaling 6 credit hours and complete 9 credit hours of required course work in one of the areas of emphasis on an Honors basis. Courses completed with an Honors component must be 3000 level or above. Courses completed on an Honors basis require that the Honors Component contract be completed and signed by the student, the professor of the course, and the Honors Director and will outline the expected component work. Contracts are due in the Honors Center by the 3rd week of the semester.
- Option II: Complete 2 Honors Colloquium courses (Honors 3900) totaling 6 credit hours and complete 3 credit hours of required course work in EACH of the three areas of emphasis for a total of 9 credit hours on an Honors basis. Courses completed with an Honors component must be 3000 level or above. Courses completed on an Honors basis require that the Honors Component contract be completed and signed by the student, the professor of the course, and the Honors Director and will outline the expected component work. Contracts are due in the Honors Center by the 3rd week of the semester.
- All students completing the BIS degree are required to complete a BIS Capstone Project. Upon its completion and acceptance, a copy of the Capstone Project must be given to the Honors Center for inclusion in the student project file.
Weber State University 2006-2007 Catalog