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.

Banner Code: LA-BS-INTS

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

INTS 391Understanding Integrative Studies1
INTS 491Senior Capstone (Mason Core)3
Total Credits4

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)

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
Conservation Foundations
CONS 120Wicked Problems and Grand Challenges3
INTS 211Introduction to Conservation Studies (Mason Core)3
CONS 495Capstone in Conservation Strategies4
Analytical Skills and Methods
CONS 210Inquiry and Design3
BIOL 214Biostatistics for Biology Majors3
or STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)
STAT 350Introductory Statistics II3
or CONS 360 Qualitative Research and Inquiry
or CONS 460 Statistics and Study Design in Ecology and Conservation
Biology and Ecology
BIOL 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 308Foundations of Ecology and Evolution (Mason Core)5
BIOL/EVPP 318Conservation Biology3-4
or INTS 401 Conservation Biology (Mason Core)
Social Dimensions
INTS 204Leadership Theory and Practice4
EVPP 429Environmental Science Communication3
PSYC 410The Psychology of Environmental Stewardship3
Total Credits41-42
Specialized Track

Students must complete one of these five tracks (16-21 credits)

Biodiversity Track
 

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
Infectious Diseases of Wildlife
Conservation Medicine
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
Freshwater Ecosystems
Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration
Applied Ecology
and Applied Ecology Laboratory
Field Biology
Marine Ecology
Marine Ecology
Fungi and Ecosystems
Ecology Field Skills
Fundamentals of Environmental Geographic Information Systems
Urban Ecosystems and Processes

Conservation, Biodiversity and Society Track

Note: SMSC CBS Semester Required
CONS 320Conservation in Practice3
CONS 401Conservation Theory3
CONS 402Applied Conservation4
CONS 410Human Dimensions in Conservation (Mason Core)3
CONS 490RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies (Mason Core)3
Total Credits16

Endangered Species Conservation Track

Note: SMSC ESC semester required
CONS 400Conservation Seminar2
CONS 406Small Population Management4
CONS 491RS: Conservation Management Planning (Mason Core)4
CONS 496Research in Conservation (Mason Core)6
Total Credits16

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Track

Note: SMSC WEC semester required
CONS 400Conservation Seminar2
CONS 404Biodiversity Monitoring4
CONS 405Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology4
CONS 496Research in Conservation (Mason Core)6
Total Credits16

Collaborative Leadership Track

Note: Fairfax-based, social science track
CONF 300Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice3
INTS 311The Mysteries of Migration: Consequences for Conservation (Mason Core)6
or INTS 403 Conservation Behavior (Mason Core)
INTS 334Environmental 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 Credits19-21

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
INTS 410Contemporary Health: Intersections in Science and Society (Mason Core)4
PHIL 309Bioethics (Mason Core)3
or PHIL 344 Ethical Issues in Global Health
Choose one course from the following3
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 Credits10
Emphasis

Students must complete one of the following emphases.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Emphasis
ATEP 201Medical and Scientific Terminology3
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 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
PSYC 211Lifespan Development (Mason Core)3
BIOL 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
PSYC 325Psychopathology3
ONE SOCI course3
STAT 250Introductory 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 Credits38-39
Pre-Medical Emphasis
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 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 311General Genetics4
BIOL 483General Biochemistry4
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 250Introductory 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 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
SOCI 101Introductory Sociology (Mason Core)3
MATH 113Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)4
Total Credits59-60
Pre-Dental Emphasis
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 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 483General Biochemistry4
or CHEM 463 General Biochemistry I
BIOL 311General Genetics4
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 313Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 315Organic Chemistry Lab I2
CHEM 314Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 318Organic Chemistry Lab II2
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 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3-4
or BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
SOCI 101Introductory Sociology (Mason Core)3
Total Credits55-56
Pre-Pharmacy Emphasis
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 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 305Biology of Microorganisms3
BIOL 306Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory1
BIOL 311General Genetics4
BIOL 483General Biochemistry4
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 313Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 315Organic Chemistry Lab I2
CHEM 314Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 318Organic Chemistry Lab II2
ECON 100Economics for the Citizen (Mason Core)3
MATH 113Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)4
STAT 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3-4
or BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
COMM 100Public Speaking (Mason Core)3
Total Credits55-56
Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis
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 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
STAT 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3-4
or BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
CHEM 103Chemical 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 104Chemistry 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 211Lifespan Development (Mason Core)3
or PSYC 325 Psychopathology
Total Credits41-42
Pre-Physician's Assistant Emphasis
ATEP 201Medical and Scientific Terminology3
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 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 305Biology of Microorganisms3
BIOL 306Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory1
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 313Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 315Organic Chemistry Lab I2
CHEM 463General Biochemistry I4
or BIOL 483 General Biochemistry
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
PSYC 211Lifespan Development (Mason Core)3
or PSYC 325 Psychopathology
STAT 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3-4
or BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
Total Credits45-46
Pre-Optometry Emphasis
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 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 305Biology of Microorganisms3
BIOL 306Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory1
BIOL 311General Genetics4
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 313Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 315Organic Chemistry Lab I2
CHEM 314Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 318Organic Chemistry Lab II2
MATH 113Analytic 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 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3-4
or BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology (Mason Core)3
PSYC 211Lifespan Development (Mason Core)3
or PSYC 325 Psychopathology
Total Credits59-60
Pre-Veterinary Emphasis
BIOL 213Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)4
BIOL 311General Genetics4
BIOL 483General Biochemistry4
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 313Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 315Organic Chemistry Lab I2
CHEM 314Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 318Organic Chemistry Lab II2
MATH 113Analytic 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 250Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core)3-4
or BIOL 214 Biostatistics for Biology Majors
Total Credits45-46

Individualized Concentration (IND)

With approval of the executive director, students may construct an individualized concentration.30
Total Credits30

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.