The Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies brings together research, theory and practice across numerous disciplines. Integrative studies majors select a multidisciplinary concentration or work with student services staff to develop their own concentration, uniquely suited to their academic and career goals. Integrative studies majors explore new topics and experiences while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce. Required coursework is offered in small classes with ample room for discussion, collaborative learning, and experiential learning, including in-community projects, volunteer opportunities, field work, internships and work with faculty on research that directly engages current social and global challenges.
Policies
Students must fulfill all Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees including the Mason Core. Integrative studies students may fulfill lower level Mason Core requirements through approved integrative studies (INTS) coursework. Students pursuing a BS in Integrative Studies must complete a minimum of 30 credits of (INTS) coursework, with at least 15 credits at the 300 and 400 levels. These 30 INTS credits fulfill the writing intensive and synthesis Mason Core requirements.
Students must complete ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core). A maximum of 15 credits of INTS 299 Study Abroad or INTS 399 Study Abroad can be applied to the major. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the major. Before registering, students should see an advisor to help plan their degree program to meet Mason requirements. The advisor also can help students choose electives or a minor.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
This is a Green Leaf program.
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students pursuing a BS in Integrative Studies must complete a minimum of 30 credits of (INTS) coursework, with at least 15 credits at the 300 and 400 levels.
Integrative studies students complete INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies and INTS 491 Senior Capstone (Mason Core) and choose a concentration from the options below. Before registering, students should see an advisor to help plan their degree program to meet Mason requirements. The advisor also can help students choose electives or a minor.
Required Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTS 391 | Understanding Integrative Studies | 1 |
| INTS 491 | Senior Capstone (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Concentration in the Major
A concentration is the equivalent of a major in a traditional degree program. Students choose from an established multidisciplinary concentration below or create with faculty an individualized program of study to fit their interests and needs. Concentration coursework combines integrative studies (INTS) classes with coursework from other Mason units (departments, schools, and colleges). While fulfilling the concentration requirements, students are also responsible for completing a minimum of 30 credits of INTS coursework. Any INTS courses required for the concentration will apply. Students must present a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses applied to the concentration.
Concentrations
- Concentration in Integrative Conservation (INCO)
- Concentration in Life Sciences (LIFS)
- Concentration in Individualized Concentration (IND)
Concentration in Integrative Conservation (INCO)
Addresses global conservation challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse, drawing upon fields such as biology, policy, law, anthropology, sociology, conflict resolution, environmental justice, economics and communication. Students learn to apply their knowledge and effect real-world change through access to the Smithsonian-Mason Semester and international conservation organizations in the Washington, DC area.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Foundations | ||
| CONS 120 | Wicked Problems and Grand Challenges | 3 |
| INTS 211 | Introduction to Conservation Studies (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CONS 495 | Capstone in Conservation Strategies | 4 |
| Analytical Skills and Methods | ||
| CONS 210 | Inquiry and Design | 3 |
| BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | 3 |
| or STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | |
| STAT 350 | Introductory Statistics II | 3 |
| or CONS 360 | Qualitative Research and Inquiry | |
| or CONS 460 | Statistics and Study Design in Ecology and Conservation | |
| Biology and Ecology | ||
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 308 | Foundations of Ecology and Evolution (Mason Core) | 5 |
| BIOL/EVPP 318 | Conservation Biology | 3-4 |
| or INTS 401 | Conservation Biology (Mason Core) | |
| Social Dimensions | ||
| INTS 204 | Leadership Theory and Practice | 4 |
| EVPP 429 | Environmental Science Communication | 3 |
| PSYC 410 | The Psychology of Environmental Stewardship | 3 |
| Total Credits | 41-42 | |
Specialized Track
Students must complete one of these five tracks (16-21 credits)
Biodiversity Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Note: Fairfax-based, natural science track | ||
| Select one course in Biological Processes from the following: | 3-4 | |
| BioDiversity | ||
| General Genetics | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Reproductive Strategies | ||
| Infectious Diseases Wildlife | ||
or EVPP 460 | Infectious Diseases of Wildlife | |
| Conservation Medicine | ||
or EVPP 427 | Conservation Medicine | |
| Evolution | ||
| Introductory Animal Behavior | ||
| Select one Experiential Learning-based course from the following: | 6 | |
| The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Conservation Behavior (Mason Core) | ||
| Select one Organisms course from the following: | 4 | |
| Invertebrate Zoology | ||
| Introductory Botany | ||
| Plant Diversity and Evolution | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Herpetology | ||
| The Diversity of Fishes | ||
| Select one Ecology and Ecosystems course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Plant Ecology | ||
| Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
or EVPP 350 | Freshwater Ecosystems | |
| Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration | ||
| Applied Ecology and Applied Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Field Biology | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
or EVPP 449 | Marine Ecology | |
| Fungi and Ecosystems | ||
| Ecology Field Skills | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Urban Ecosystems and Processes | ||
Conservation, Biodiversity and Society Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Note: SMSC CBS Semester Required | ||
| CONS 320 | Conservation in Practice | 3 |
| CONS 401 | Conservation Theory | 3 |
| CONS 402 | Applied Conservation | 4 |
| CONS 410 | Human Dimensions in Conservation (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CONS 490 | RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Endangered Species Conservation Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Note: SMSC ESC semester required | ||
| CONS 400 | Conservation Seminar | 2 |
| CONS 406 | Small Population Management | 4 |
| CONS 491 | RS: Conservation Management Planning (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CONS 496 | Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Note: SMSC WEC semester required | ||
| CONS 400 | Conservation Seminar | 2 |
| CONS 404 | Biodiversity Monitoring | 4 |
| CONS 405 | Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology | 4 |
| CONS 496 | Research in Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Collaborative Leadership Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Note: Fairfax-based, social science track | ||
| CONF 300 | Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice | 3 |
| INTS 311 | The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation (Mason Core) | 6 |
| or INTS 403 | Conservation Behavior (Mason Core) | |
| INTS 334 | Environmental Justice (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Select two courses in Process Design and Leadership from the following: | 6-8 | |
| Interpersonal Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Dialogue and Difference | ||
| Negotiation | ||
| Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving | ||
| Justice and Reconciliation | ||
| Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (Mason Core) | ||
| Mediating Conflict | ||
| Ethics and Leadership | ||
| Leadership in a Changing Environment | ||
| Total Credits | 19-21 | |
Concentration in Life Sciences (LIFS)
Prepares students for work and graduate study in medical and health promotion fields. Focus areas include Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Pharmacy, and Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Veterinary
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTS 410 | Contemporary Health: Intersections in Science and Society (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHIL 309 | Bioethics (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or PHIL 344 | Ethical Issues in Global Health | |
| Choose one course from the following | 3 | |
| Humans, Disease, and Death (Mason Core) | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disability | ||
| Gender, Health, and Culture in the United States | ||
| Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Emphasis
Students must complete one of the following emphases.
Pre-Occupational Therapy Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATEP 201 | Medical and Scientific Terminology | 3 |
| or HAP 202 | Medical Terminology | |
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 211 | Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PSYC 325 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| ONE SOCI course | 3 | |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 | College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 | College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 38-39 | |
Pre-Medical Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 311 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 483 | General Biochemistry | 4 |
| or CHEM 463 | General Biochemistry I | |
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 & CHEM 315 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Lab I | 5 |
| CHEM 314 & CHEM 318 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Lab II | 5 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 | College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 | College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | Introductory Sociology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 59-60 | |
Pre-Dental Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 483 | General Biochemistry | 4 |
| or CHEM 463 | General Biochemistry I | |
| BIOL 311 | General Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 315 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 314 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 318 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 | College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 | College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | Introductory Sociology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 55-56 | |
Pre-Pharmacy Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| BIOL 306 | Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 311 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 483 | General Biochemistry | 4 |
| or CHEM 463 | General Biochemistry I | |
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 315 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 314 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 318 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| ECON 100 | Economics for the Citizen (Mason Core) | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| COMM 100 | Public Speaking (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 55-56 | |
Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 102 & BIOL 103 & BIOL 105 | Introductory Biology I-Survey of Biodiversity and Ecology (Mason Core) and Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (Mason Core) and Introductory Biology II Laboratory (Mason Core) | 8 |
| or | ||
| Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) and General Genetics | ||
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| CHEM 103 | Chemical Science in a Modern Society (Mason Core) | 4 |
| or CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | |
| CHEM 104 | Chemistry for Changing Times (Mason Core) | 4 |
| or CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | |
| PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 | College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 | College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PSYC 211 | Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or PSYC 325 | Psychopathology | |
| Total Credits | 41-42 | |
Pre-Physician's Assistant Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ATEP 201 | Medical and Scientific Terminology | 3 |
| or HAP 202 | Medical Terminology | |
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| BIOL 306 | Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 315 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 463 | General Biochemistry I | 4 |
| or BIOL 483 | General Biochemistry | |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 211 | Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or PSYC 325 | Psychopathology | |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| Total Credits | 45-46 | |
Pre-Optometry Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 8 |
| or | ||
| Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 305 | Biology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| BIOL 306 | Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 311 | General Genetics | 4 |
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 315 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 314 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 318 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 | College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 | College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 211 | Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or PSYC 325 | Psychopathology | |
| Total Credits | 59-60 | |
Pre-Veterinary Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 213 | Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core) | 4 |
| BIOL 311 | General Genetics | 4 |
| BIOL 483 | General Biochemistry | 4 |
| or CHEM 463 | General Biochemistry I | |
| CHEM 211 & CHEM 213 | General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 212 & CHEM 214 | General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 315 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 314 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 318 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 243 & PHYS 244 | College Physics I (Mason Core) and College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| PHYS 245 & PHYS 246 | College Physics II (Mason Core) and College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) | 4 |
| STAT 250 | Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 214 | Biostatistics for Biology Majors | |
| Total Credits | 45-46 | |
Individualized Concentration (IND)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| With approval of the executive director, students may construct an individualized concentration. | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with electives to bring the degree total to 120
Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies Sample Plan of Study
A sample four year graduation plan and degree planning worksheet can be found at https://academicaffairs.chss.gmu.edu/undergraduate-students/advising/advising-sheets. The plan is a recommended sequencing of courses based on prerequisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor each semester and with their PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.
Many accelerated master's programs are available for any bachelor's degree at Mason. See the full list of degrees with accelerated programs at George Mason.