OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A grade of C- or better for any course counting toward the major. C or better in Capstone Experience courses and in Work Experience courses.
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: HTI 490 (9 credits); HTI 499 (6 credits).
Courses satisfying the writing intensive requirement within the major: HTI 499
Other required course information: HTI 495 (18 CR.)
GPA requirements to graduate: 2.0.
Contact Information: Richard Corey, Director, VEMI Lab, Carnegie Hall, 207.581.2151, richard.r.corey@maine.edu
The Bachelor of Arts program in Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to integrate the problem solving and technological skills learned through hands-on research experience in the VEMI Lab with more traditional academic focus areas. The VEMI Lab coordinates the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Multimodal Interaction. The Lab is a multi-disciplinary environment where students learn and innovate to solve unmet challenges with technology. Students design an individualized major under the supervision of a Program Committee (see Requirements, below). The major requires a student integrate areas of interest (reflected in coursework) that, when combined with technology, creates a unique, personalized degree that meets individualized educational goals that cannot be achieved within any departmentally based major program.
Students who wish to pursue a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Multimodal Interaction must submit an application to the VEMI Director, in the form of video or written statement of intent and the areas of interest to the student. (See under Requirements, below.)
The unique feature of the major is its focus on working and learning in a laboratory, company or other approved facility that facilitates practical problem solving skills, hands on research experience, and direct experiential learning. Additionally, a rigorous capstone sequence of up to four semesters to prepare, execute, complete, and report results of an approved capstone project completes the integration of experiential learning and classroom study.
Normally at least three or four semesters at the University of Maine are needed to plan and complete these individualized programs of study, and it is recommended that students begin the process at the end of the sophomore year.
Upon completion of the major, a student will have a broad array of practical, professional skills. Students in the major will contribute to the economic and technological development of the state.
The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences page of the catalog.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Students must submit a video (of no more than 3 minutes) or a written essay (of no more than 2 pages) to the Director of the VEMI Lab. Approval by the Director and the Associate Dean for Academics is required. The student may declare this major only after the proposal has been approved at the College level.
2. No more than 75 earned credit hours (including those transferred) by the student before the major is declared. Program proposals submitted after 75 credit hours have been earned will be considered only in extraordinary circumstances.
3. In consultation with the VEMI Lab Director, a student will compose a Program Committee of at least three faculty members, at least two of whom must be affiliated with the VEMI lab and have an appointment in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
4. Completion of 33 credits as follows: HTI 495, Work Experience 18 credits; and Capstone sequence, 15 credits (HTI 490, 9 credits) and HTI 499 (6 credits).
5. Completion of at least 36 credits from at least two or three departments. If two departments, one must be in CLAS. If three departments, at least two must be in CLAS. At least 27 of these credits must be in upper-level courses (with prerequisites), and normally no more than 18 credits should be taken from any one department.
6. Minimum grade point average of 2.75
7. Before graduation, students will make a public presentation of the results of the capstone project, and submit a current resume and a Portfolio of work submitted.
8. Strong commitment to clear educational goals. Ability to work independently and to engage faculty members
The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences page of the catalog.
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