What exactly is interdisciplinary studies at UC Berkeley?
I’ve been checking out majors at UC Berkeley, and the Interdisciplinary Studies program popped up a few times. Does anyone know how it actually works? Like, is it more flexible than the regular majors?
I saw a few students building their own courses of study, but I’m kind of confused about how you set up your classes or choose an advisor for this. Are there requirements or is it just kind of open? I’m interested because I like both politics and environmental science and would love to combine them somehow.
If anyone in the program could share what their experience has been like, or what admissions are looking for with this major, I’d really appreciate it. I want to find out if this makes sense for someone who’s not 100% sure what field to focus on yet.
I saw a few students building their own courses of study, but I’m kind of confused about how you set up your classes or choose an advisor for this. Are there requirements or is it just kind of open? I’m interested because I like both politics and environmental science and would love to combine them somehow.
If anyone in the program could share what their experience has been like, or what admissions are looking for with this major, I’d really appreciate it. I want to find out if this makes sense for someone who’s not 100% sure what field to focus on yet.
6 months ago
•
360 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 6 months ago
Advisor
The Interdisciplinary Studies Field (ISF) major at UC Berkeley is one of the university’s most flexible and customizable undergraduate programs. It’s specifically designed for students who, like you, want to combine subjects that don’t fit neatly into a single, traditional major. For example, if you want to explore both politics and environmental science in depth, ISF lets you build a major around that intersection.
Here’s how it works: you design your curriculum around a research question or theme that you’re passionate about. You create a plan of study that draws from at least three different departments or disciplines. Instead of just taking some electives outside your major, your courses are intentionally woven together to investigate your core topic. You’ll get guidance from the ISF advising team throughout this process.
You’re required to write a formal proposal explaining what your area of concentration is, why existing majors don’t cover it, and how your chosen courses build your expertise in that area. Your proposal gets reviewed—so there’s some structure and oversight, even though you have more freedom. Most students also take core ISF seminars about interdisciplinary theory and research methods, and you’ll complete a senior thesis in your final year.
For example, a student interested in public policy and environmental issues might combine classes in Political Science, Environmental Science, and Public Health. Their thesis could address, say, how climate policy impacts urban communities differently. Another student with interests in tech ethics might blend Sociology, Computer Science, and Philosophy. You choose an ISF faculty advisor based on your topic, and they help guide your studies and capstone project.
Admissions into ISF are not about meeting a certain GPA cutoff, but about presenting a thoughtful, well-articulated proposal. They’re looking for students with clear intellectual curiosity and the ability to work independently. You should show you’re serious about pulling together courses in a way that’s rigorous and meaningful—not just sampling random classes.
If you’re excited about diving into interdisciplinary topics and are ready to take the initiative to chart your own academic path, ISF can be a great fit—especially if you don’t feel your interests are fully captured by a single department. It’s perfect for students who are still narrowing down their focus but love making connections across traditional fields.
Here’s how it works: you design your curriculum around a research question or theme that you’re passionate about. You create a plan of study that draws from at least three different departments or disciplines. Instead of just taking some electives outside your major, your courses are intentionally woven together to investigate your core topic. You’ll get guidance from the ISF advising team throughout this process.
You’re required to write a formal proposal explaining what your area of concentration is, why existing majors don’t cover it, and how your chosen courses build your expertise in that area. Your proposal gets reviewed—so there’s some structure and oversight, even though you have more freedom. Most students also take core ISF seminars about interdisciplinary theory and research methods, and you’ll complete a senior thesis in your final year.
For example, a student interested in public policy and environmental issues might combine classes in Political Science, Environmental Science, and Public Health. Their thesis could address, say, how climate policy impacts urban communities differently. Another student with interests in tech ethics might blend Sociology, Computer Science, and Philosophy. You choose an ISF faculty advisor based on your topic, and they help guide your studies and capstone project.
Admissions into ISF are not about meeting a certain GPA cutoff, but about presenting a thoughtful, well-articulated proposal. They’re looking for students with clear intellectual curiosity and the ability to work independently. You should show you’re serious about pulling together courses in a way that’s rigorous and meaningful—not just sampling random classes.
If you’re excited about diving into interdisciplinary topics and are ready to take the initiative to chart your own academic path, ISF can be a great fit—especially if you don’t feel your interests are fully captured by a single department. It’s perfect for students who are still narrowing down their focus but love making connections across traditional fields.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years
Rating