UB Programs At-A-Glance

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Office of Interdisciplinary Degree Programs

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

About the Program

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 in the Social Sciences offer students an opportunity to focus on a particular thematic area of interdisciplinary studies whose breadth and diversity overlaps several departments. Departmental courses are organized in curricula administered by the Interdisciplinary Degree Programs in the Social Sciences.

The degree consists of courses taught by the faculty of departments throughout the university. Each program is designed to offer choice and flexibility in building the program most suitable for individual interests and career goals. Hundreds of students have graduated from the programs in recent years.

Within our BA and BS programs, the following concentrations are offered:

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 computational analogs of mental processes. It examines how these areas interact, how they develop in the growing human, and how they appear in animals.

Environmental Studies. The Environmental Studies BA or BS degree offers an opportunity for students to study social science and natural science disciplines related to the environment. Field courses and an internship are required. The BS adds environmental chemistry, ecological methods and spatial analysis. Specialty tracks provide a body of course work and experiences that prepare a student for a defined area within the field of environmental studies. The Environmental Studies Program maintains a list of preapproved specialty tracks and accepts petitions for individualized programs.

Health and Human Services (Social Gerontology, Community Mental Health, and Early Childhood Studies). Health and Human Services studies the social systems delivering human services to individuals and communities in need, the problems affecting those individuals and communities, and the professions and professionals providing services.

International Studies. The International Studies program provides a general background useful for graduate studies or a number of career fields with international involvement. The three tiers of the curriculum beyond the prerequisite level are based on:
1. The belief that significant language competence is fundamental to the international field of inquiry/activity
2. The assumption that students in the field should be exposed to a range of disciplinary approaches
3. The desirability of pursuing some focused interest in a particular geographic area

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. This major provides a background for careers in government, law enforcement, social work, and professional training in law school.

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.

About Our Degrees

Acceptance Criteria

For information on acceptance criteria for any of the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary concentration areas, please click on the link for that major concentration area.

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 additional 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 adds 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 additional 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 additional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Health and Human Services/Social Work

The Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Programs (IDP) 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 additional 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 additional 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 additional 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 in public or private agencies.

For additional information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

The Office of Interdisciplinary Degree Programs offers internship opportunities in human services, legal studies, and environmental studies. All are structured so that students are provided with the opportunity to observe the practical workings of some aspect of their chosen major. The internships also allow students to become aware of the individuals, agencies, and associations working within their area of study and to begin to understand the roles and responsibilities of a professional in their field.

Extracurricular Activities

See the UB Student Association.

Career Information and Further Study

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. Additional information for any of our major areas may be found by clicking on the link for that major and visiting the individual web pages.

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:16 EST