The Integrative Science major prepares students for careers founded broadly on an understanding of the core principles in the life, mathematical, and physical sciences. Students enter many different job sectors including agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry, education, government, industry, medicine, pharmaceutical, research & development, sustainability, and more. Graduates of this major pursue diverse career paths and hold a variety of roles such as research scientist, data analyst, technician, program coordinator, project manager, consultant, and laboratory associate. The degree can also be tailored to meet specific requirements of professional programs such as medical, dental, physician assistant, pharmacy, or law school, as well as graduate school. 

Program Learning Objectives:

1. Knowledge Application: Graduates will be able to apply scientific concepts across disciplines.
2. Scientific Process: Graduates will be able to perform the process of science.
3. Quantitative Reasoning: Graduates will be able to interpret scientific data using quantitative reasoning skills.
4. Communication: Graduates will be able to explain scientific concepts through written and verbal communication.
5. Ethical Reasoning: Graduates will be able to apply ethical reasoning to scientific problems.

At University Park, there are 3 options for Integrative Science majors to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals: 

• General Science option – offers the most flexibility with upper-level coursework, which enables you to select courses based on your scientific interests to meet specific degree requirements
• Biological Science and Health Professions option – offers opportunities to take foundational and upper-level courses in healthcare, medicine, and ethics to support your future healthcare career goals
• Legal Studies, Government Service, Public Policy option – offers opportunities to take foundational and upper-level courses in legal studies, government service, policy, ethics, professional development, and current issues to support your future career goals 

The Integrative Science major requires a minimum of 120 credits. At least 15 credits are completed at the 400 level, with 9 of these credits in 400-level science. All options of the major require students to take supporting courses in Global, Social, and Personal Awareness, and Teamwork and Interpersonal Communication to further refine core competencies. Many students find they can easily incorporate courses for a minor or certificate within the major requirements to support their learning and training for the workforce.

View the Integrative Science major on the Undergraduate Bulletin 

View the Program Requirements for all options of the degree: 

• Common Requirements for the Major (all options)
• Requirements for the Option
  • General Science option
  • Biological Sciences and Health Professions option
  • Legal Studies, Government Service, Public Policy option
• General Education Requirements
• University Degree Requirements 

View the Suggested Academic Plans for all options of the degree, with starting campus and math placement considerations: 

• Starting at University Park Campus
• Starting at University Park Campus, with ALEKS placement in MATH 22
• Starting at Commonwealth Campuses

*Note to students in the Science B.S. major (prior to Summer 2024 semester): Consult with your academic adviser about opting-in to the curricular requirements of the Integrative Science B.S. major.

Download fillable check sheets and department list course choices for Summer 2024 to Present: 

• General Science option: Check Sheet, Department List
• Biological Sciences and Health Professions option: Check Sheet, Department List
• Legal Studies, Government Service, Public Policy option: Check Sheet, Department List
• Review courses on the Program Exclusions list that are not allowed to fulfill degree requirements
• For plans from previous semesters, contact the Integrative Science Program Office at University Park

• Students in the Integrative Science major may pursue a concurrent degree (double major) or sequential degree with programs that are OUTSIDE the Eberly College of Science. Per Faculty Senate policy 60-00, students are not permitted to combine a general major with a departmental major within the same college.
• Concurrent and sequential degree requests are reviewed and must be approved by each program.
• Students must meet all entrance and degree requirements for each major.
• Students should consult with their academic adviser prior to submitting the request for a concurrent or sequential major.

Schreyer Guide for Integrative Science majors:

At a Glance: your path to honors completion

Because Integrative Science is an interdisciplinary degree program rather than a research department, honors students complete a thesis with any faculty principal investigator (PI) who welcomes them into their research group. Therefore, you have the flexibility to pursue a thesis topic that aligns with your interests. You are responsible for coordinating several pieces of the honors process. Start early and confirm discipline-specific requirements before making commitments.

1. Plan honors coursework with your academic adviser and maintain your annual Schreyer Plan in SRS.
2. Identify and secure a position in a research group with a faculty Thesis Supervisor.
3. Work with your Thesis Supervisor to identify an Area of Honors that matches your thesis field.
4. Confirm eligibility and obtain approval for the Area of Honors from the Primary Honors Adviser in that discipline.
5. Understand the thesis components and evaluation/approval process.

1. Plan your honors coursework

Your academic adviser is the best resource for the Integrative Science degree requirements and honors course-credit requirements. Meet with your adviser to:

• Select honors courses that align with your major requirements
• Review and approve your annual Schreyer Plan through the SRS: https://www.shc.psu.edu/srs/ 

Your assigned academic adviser can be found in LionPATH on the My Advisors page. The honors academic advisers for the Integrative Science major are:

• David Cassiday (dac293@psu.edu) – Academic adviser and Prehealth Adviser
• Sharon Fong (sxf912@psu.edu) – Academic adviser and Change of Campus Liaison

2. Identify a research group and Thesis Supervisor

You are responsible for finding and securing a position within a research group. Begin this process by discussing your research interests with the Integrative Science primary honors adviser, Dr. Elizabeth Jolley (eaj19@psu.edu). Dr. Jolley is an Associate Research Professor in the Chemistry Department and has extensive experience mentoring honors students and undergraduate researchers. You should meet with Dr. Jolley every semester to discuss your progress. 

Integrative Science does not have a departmental research structure. You may pursue an honors thesis with any faculty PI who invites you to join their research group, which can be in any discipline of interest to you. Possible settings include:

Eberly College of Science Departments:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Statistics

Other University Park Colleges:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Arts and Architecture
• Smeal College of Business
• Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
• Earth and Mineral Sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• Health and Human Development
• Information Sciences and Technology
• Liberal Arts

A thesis with a faculty member at the College of Medicine in Hershey may also be possible, with permission from the PI.

3 & 4. Select and secure an approved Area of Honors

Your Area of Honors is the academic discipline under which your honors thesis will be completed and recognized. The Area of Honors should align with the subject matter and research focus of your thesis.

Work with your Thesis Supervisor to identify the most appropriate Area of Honors for your thesis. Once you have identified a potential area, you must contact the Primary Honors Adviser in that discipline to confirm eligibility and obtain approval. Requirements vary by area. For example, some disciplines require students to be majors or minors in the field, while other disciplines allow students to qualify based on the nature of their thesis and the disciplinary affiliation of their faculty Thesis Supervisor. Some disciplines require you to take specific course(s), while others do not require any courses.

Area of Honors requirements vary by discipline. Before proceeding, you must confirm that you are eligible for your intended Area of Honors and obtain approval (ideally in writing) from its Primary Honors Adviser. You can find adviser contacts on the Schreyer Honors College advising website: https://www.shc.psu.edu/academics/advising/. 

If you cannot secure an approved Area of Honors, contact the Integrative Science Primary Honors Adviser (Dr. Jolley) and together you can reach out to Schreyer Honors College to discuss options.

5. Understand the thesis components and evaluation/approval process

The honors thesis consists of several components, which are tracked in SRS:

• Thesis Proposal in the specific Area of Honors you have been approved for
• Thesis Check-In
• Thesis Format Review
• Thesis Final Submission

Each of these components are evaluated and approved by two Penn State faculty members:

1. Thesis Honors Adviser – This is a faculty honors adviser for your approved Area of Honors. This person enforces area-specific policies and requirements in addition to evaluating the thesis. Requirements may include:
   1. Eligibility rules for pursuing honors in the disciplinary area
   2. Honors coursework
   3. Area-specific proposal, thesis, or submission requirements
2. Thesis Supervisor – This is the faculty PI who oversees your honors project, provides research guidance, and mentors you through completion of the written thesis.

If your Thesis Honors Adviser is also serving as your Thesis Supervisor, you must identify a Thesis Faculty Reader to review and approve your thesis. Work with your Thesis Supervisor to identify a reader, then ask if they are willing to be a reader.

Use the Advising Team

Meet with your academic adviser every semester:

Check LionPATH for your specific adviser assignment – either Dave Cassiday or Sharon Fong

• Learn about the Integrative Science major degree requirements
• Understand honors course-credit requirements and select appropriate honors courses
• Review your annual Schreyer Plan in SRS
• Clarify degree requirements and progress

Meet with the Integrative Science Primary Honors Adviser, Dr. Jolley, every semester:

• Find and join a research group
• Identify and secure an approved Area of Honors
• Clarify honors thesis requirements
• Check in on thesis progress

Student Checklist

• Meet with your academic adviser to plan honors coursework and your Schreyer Plan
• Meet with Dr. Jolley to discuss your research interests and how to join a research group
• Contact potential PIs, secure a position in a research group, and confirm the PI’s role as your Thesis Supervisor
• Choose an Area of Honors that aligns with your thesis; obtain approval from that area’s Primary Honors Adviser
• Complete honors coursework and thesis research; track submission deadlines in SRS
• Regularly check in with your advisers

Download the Integrative Science Schreyer Guide