Introduction to the Major
The Interdisciplinary Studies Field (ISF)(link is external) major offers highly motivated students the unique opportunity to design an original program of research and study resulting in a major research project (senior thesis). ISF allows you to take advantage of UC Berkeley’s strengths as a research institution by combining work across disciplines in courses and with faculty where no other structured program exists.
The major is intended for students who wish to focus their studies on a non-U.S. topic, have a clear idea about the research they would like to pursue and the courses that will be most meaningful to them, and who are prepared to write a senior thesis.
The ISF Curriculum
ISF is an individualized cross-disciplinary research program that includes a course of study and a senior thesis. The course of study is made up of courses taken in the social sciences, the humanities, and/or the professional schools and colleges, alongside the required courses in ISF. The capstone experience is a scholarly, rigorously-researched 40-page required senior thesis, a sustained inquiry in the social sciences and humanities based on original, cross-disciplinary research.
Amplify Your Major
-
Engage with your research topic through a study abroad(link is external) experience.
-
Apply your skills and experience as a DeCal facilitator(link is external).
-
Conduct research abroad and travel to conferences with support from the Institute of International Studies(link is external), SURF Fellowship Program(link is external), or Haas Scholars Program(link is external).
-
Do a deep dive into a research topic by writing an Honors Thesis in ISF.
As an ISF major, you will learn critical skills of research, analysis, interpretation, and writing that will translate across professional sectors and domains, including academia, non-profit work, business, government, and community service. Your demonstrable record as a scholar and researcher with the capacity to complete original and innovative work will be a bonus for employers, graduate programs, and professional schools seeking unusual and highly-motivated graduates.
Jobs and Employers
-
Account Associate, Accenture
-
Analyst, Riviera Partners
-
Business Develop. Assoc., Oracle
-
Communications Coordinator, UCOP
-
Data Analyst, BALANCE
-
Engineer, PG&E
-
Fellow, Americorps
-
Financial Analyst, Citigroup
-
Interaction Designer, VMWare
-
Marketing Manager, Freshslice Pizza
-
Media Planner, Digitas
-
Operations Research Analyst, Zoox
-
Technical Trainer, AMN Healthcare
-
Volunteer, Peace Corps
Graduate Programs
-
Anatomy, PhD
-
Business Administration, Masters
-
Computer Science, PhD
-
Education, Masters
-
International Development, Masters
-
International Relations, Masters
-
Information Technology, Masters
-
Law, JD
-
Latin American Studies, Masters
-
Physical Sciences, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more. ISF faculty will discuss the possibilities for student interdisciplinary research at Berkeley and tackling the most pressing problems facing society today.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students. Attend an ISF info session to hear from faculty about this amazing interdisciplinary research major.
Events
Attend an ISF Application Workshop and find out more about the major and the application process. Visit isf.ugis.berkeley.edu(link is external) for news and updates.
Advising
Meet with an ISF undergraduate advisor via appointment or drop-in advising. Appointments can be made by contacting advisors directly. Visit isf.ugis.berkeley.edu/people/(link is external) for office hours and locations.
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday 9-11:30am, 1:45-5:00pm
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
