Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Office of Interdisciplinary Degree Programs
College of Arts and Sciences
203 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4670
Phone: 716.645.2245
Fax: 716.645.3640
Web: cas.buffalo.edu/programs/idp/ugrad/
Lee Dryden
Director
dryden@buffalo.edu
About the Department
Some of the major problems society faces today can be grasped fully only by integrating the specializations of different academic disciplines. The interdisciplinary degree programs offer students an opportunity to focus on a particular thematic area of interdisciplinary studies whose brealih and diversity overlaps several departments. Departmental courses are organized in curricula administered by the interdisciplinary degree programs. The interdisciplinary concentrations include the following: Cognitive Science, Environmental Studies, Health and Human Services, International Studies, Legal Studies, and Urban and Public Policy.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.S., Minor (in Environmental Studies)
Concentrations: Cognitive Science, Environmental Studies, Health and Human Services, International Studies, Legal Studies, and Urban and Public Policy
Combined: B.A./M.S.W. in Health and Human Services concentration
Graduate: M.S.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria
Students in the concentrations of Environmental Studies, Health and Human Services, International Studies, Legal Studies, and Urban and Public Policy must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major. Students in the Cognitive Science program must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major.
Cognitive Science
Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary approach to how the mind works. It investigates thought and consciousness, the senses and emotions, the structure of language, cultural patterns, neural organization, and the computational analogs of mental processes. It examines how these areas interact, how they develop in the growing human, and how they appear in animals.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies concentration provides an opportunity for students to study social science and natural science disciplines related to the environment. A B.S. in this concentration auls environmental chemistry, ecological methods and spatial analysis. Specialty tracks provide a body of coursework and experiences that will prepare a student for a defined area within the field of environmental studies.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Health and Human Services (Social Gerontology, Community Mental Health, and Early Childhood Studies)
Health and Human Services provides a practical focus to studying about services for the elderly, childcare and early childhood education, and rehabilitative and support services for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. The concentration includes statistical reasoning and research methodology components. A significant on-site practicum experience is an integral part of this curriculum. Typical graduate outcomes include employment in human services, or graduate work in counseling or Masters of Social Work programs.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Health and Human Services/Social Work
The Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Programs and the Graduate School of Social Work have developed a combined degree program between IDP’s Health and Human Services concentration and Social Work’s M.S.W. It is a 5-year program that leads to a combined B.A./M.S.W. degree. More information on this program may be obtained through the IDP office.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
International Studies
The International Studies program is a concentration providing information and perspectives useful for graduate studies or in a number of career fields with international involvement. The three tiers of the curriculum beyond the prerequisite level are based on: the belief that significant language competence is fundamental to the international field of inquiry/activity; the assumption that students in the field should be exposed to a range of disciplinary approaches; and the desirability of pursuing some focused interest in a particular geographic or topically-defined area.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Legal Studies
The Legal Studies concentration is designed for students who are interested in studying the law, legal processes, legal institutions, and the role of law in society. The program offers a multidisciplinary perspective on the law in its social and political context, and as a means of social change and analysis. This major provides a background for careers in government, law enforcement, social work, and professional training in law school. It has academic rather than vocational emphasis. While it does not necessarily confer advantage for law school admission, it is suitable for students intending to apply to law school.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Urban and Public Policy Studies
This program provides a general academic introduction to the fields of urban and public policy studies. It may prove useful to, but is not specifically designed for, those students who are anticipating graduate work in urban planning or an associated field, or who are seeking employment opportunities in politics or public or private agencies.
For aulitional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
Transfer students must first apply to the university and meet the university’s transfer admission GPA requirements. Applications for students are then forwarded to the Office of Interdisciplinary Degree Programs for review and course equivalency evaluation. Newly admitted transfer students who have completed the prerequisite requirements or have completed 60 or more credit hours at their transfer school are accepted to the major on a provisional basis, with full admission dependent upon completion of prerequisite requirements and attaining a minimum UB GPA of 2.0 within a specified time frame.
Courses from two-year colleges cannot be used toward fulfillment of the advanced-level course requirements in any of the interdisciplinary programs. At least 50 percent of coursework toward the major must be completed at UB.
About Our Courses
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Extracurricular Activities
See the UB Student Association.
Career Information
With six major areas from which to choose, the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Programs offer students a variety of opportunities for careers or for advanced study. Students in the major have gone on to graduate programs at the masters and Ph.D. levels in areas as diverse as urban planning, elementary education, international political economy, and water resource management as well as professional degree programs in law and social work. Our students report employment opportunities just as diverse. Aulitional information for any of our major areas may be found by clicking on the link for that major and visiting the individual web pages.