BDIC is short for “Bachelor’s Degree with Individualized Concentration.” The BDIC Major allows students to design their own individualized, interdisciplinary programs in areas that are not covered by traditional majors at UMass Amherst.
Return to topProspective Student FAQs
Come to the BDIC office in 350 Campus Center Way for a consultation. You will meet with a Peer Advisor, a current BDIC major, to talk about your ideas and whether BDIC is a good match for you?
Return to topAdmission into the BDIC major is a multi-step process. The first step is to submit an Application for placement in the BDIC Proposal Writing Class (BDIC 396P). This is where you formulate your proposed BDIC program in detail. At the end of the class, you submit your Proposal for approval and admission into the BDIC Major.
Return to topCome to the BDIC office to familiarize yourself with our requirements so you can start planning your future course work. Try to satisfy as many General Education requirements as well as prerequisites to future upper-level BDIC-related courses as possible before you start your program as a first-semester sophomore.
Return to topThe BDIC major requires a minimum of 4 semesters in the program. However this can include a summer semester. This makes it possible to start the BDIC major as late as the second semester of Junior year. However, the earlier you get started in BDIC the more complete a job you can do covering your area of interest.
Return to topVery likely - Yes. You should come to the BDIC office in 350 Campus Center Way as soon as possible to discuss your situation and get started with the admission process.
Return to topThe foreign language requirement may not apply to every BDIC student. Your BDIC faculty supervisor will decide whether or not you need a foreign language on the basis of your concentration area.
Return to topThe diploma will read, “Bachelor of Arts (or Science) with Individual Concentration” and the transcript will read, “. . .with a concentration in your field.” In order to receive the Bachelor of Science degree, the student must complete at least 60 credits in the sciences.
Students will also be awarded a certificate recognizing their individualized concentration. Certificates are issued by the BDIC office and are sent to students in a separate mailer than the student's UMass diploma.
Return to topYou may be allowed to count a maximum of 12 credits from the three semesters preceeding your enrollment in the Proposal Writing Class (BDIC 396P), provided that they are relevant for your BDIC concentration. A minimum of 2 semesters of BDIC work must be completed following the semester you are enrolled in the Proposal Writing Class. See the Proposal Writing Guidelines for further information.
Return to topYes. Many BDIC students do double majors. Some have BDIC as their primary major. Others have BDIC as a secondary major.
For some students, their BDIC concentration complements their traditional major. A recent example is a BDIC concentration in "Integrated Labor Studies" together with an Economics major. Some pre-med students combine a hard science major with a BDIC concentration that relates to their interests in human health. Other students have second majors that are unrelated to their BDIC concentrations.
The general rule is that at most two classes from your second major may be counted towards your BDIC concentration as well. In addition, you only need to take one Junior Year Writing class.
Return to top“BDIC Majors take BDIC 350- Junior Year Writing. In order to take a JYW course in an another department, students must petition for permission prior to enrollment. Petitions will not be accepted after drop/add period or after taking a class.”
Note that the JYW course does not count towards the 12 course/36 credit BDIC concentration requirement.
Return to topYes! A great many BDIC students study abroad or do domestic exchanges. Talk to the BDIC Assistant Director or Peer Advisors for advice on making this part of your program.
Return to topNo. The BDIC requirements call for a minimum of 12 classes/36 credits at the 300+ level or above.
Return to topOnly a maximum of 9 total credits of internships and independent studies (with a max of 6 in either category) can count towards your 12 class/36 credit BDIC concentration requirement. You are always free to go beyond this (and many BDIC students do), but the additional credits won’t count towards the requirement.
Return to topAbsolutely! Many BDIC majors include Five College classes in their curricula. There is no limit on the number of Five College classes.
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