Introduction to the Major
The Interdisciplinary Studies Field (ISF) 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
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Engage with your research topic through a study abroad experience.
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Apply your skills and experience as a DeCal facilitator.
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Conduct research abroad and travel to conferences with support from the Institute of International Studies, SURF Fellowship Program, or Haas Scholars Program.
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Do a deep dive into a research topic by writing an Honors Thesis in ISF.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Review major and college requirements
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Take classes about social problems or social issues that interest you.
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Start preparing a research plan for the ISF application.
Connect and Build Community
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Join the ISF Facebook group and stay updated on news and events.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
Discover Your Passions
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Enroll in a Discovery Course to explore new and exciting fields of study.
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Learn about ISF research fields and consider which field(s) appeal to you.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Check out the Berkeley Career Engagement Yearly Planner
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete lower division prerequisites and apply to the major.
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Use the ISF program template to develop your course of study.
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Review major guidelines for study abroad.
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Consider completing a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a student organization such as Cal Convergent and DiversaTech that fits your intended area of study for ISF.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar such as UGIS 39.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP
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Attend debates, talks, and panels by a variety of professionals through Berkeley Forum
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
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Explore career fields through the Career Connections Series or a winter externship
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division requirements and electives based on your field of study.
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Read through the ISF Senior Thesis guidelines in preparation for your study.
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Ask your major advisor about the ISF Honors Program.
Connect and Build Community
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Consult with outside faculty with research specialties related to your thesis.
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Welcome new students to UC Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Discover Your Passions
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Get inspired by projects of recent ISF graduates
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Check the Institute of International Studies for research funding.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
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Explore self-reflection and internship development in UGIS W157: Experiential Learning.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Conduct informational interviews
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Going to graduate school? Take required exams and discuss options with advisors and professors.
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete your senior thesis.
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Challenge yourself with a graduate-level course.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
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Join the ISF Alumni LinkedIn Group.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
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
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Account Associate, Accenture
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Analyst, Riviera Partners
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Business Develop. Assoc., Oracle
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Communications Coordinator, UCOP
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Data Analyst, BALANCE
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Engineer, PG&E
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Fellow, Americorps
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Financial Analyst, Citigroup
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Interaction Designer, VMWare
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Marketing Manager, Freshslice Pizza
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Media Planner, Digitas
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Operations Research Analyst, Zoox
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Technical Trainer, AMN Healthcare
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Volunteer, Peace Corps
Graduate Programs
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Anatomy, PhD
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Business Administration, Masters
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Computer Science, PhD
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Education, Masters
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International Development, Masters
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International Relations, Masters
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Information Technology, Masters
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Law, JD
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Latin American Studies, Masters
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Physical Sciences, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House 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 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 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/ 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.