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.

Integrative Science majors who are in the Schreyer Honors College may pursue honors study in any disciplinary area they desire. For example, many scholars complete a scientific honors thesis that is supervised by a faculty member within an Eberly College of Science department:

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

Alternatively, some scholars complete an honors thesis supervised by a faculty member in another college at the University Park campus:

• 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

It may also be possible to complete an honors thesis with faculty at the College of Medicine (Hershey, PA), with permission of the faculty member.

It is the responsibility of the Schreyer scholar to identify and secure a position within a research group where you will conduct your honors thesis work.

Thesis Evaluation and Approval Process:

Your honors thesis must be evaluated and approved by two Penn State faculty members:

1. Thesis Supervisor - This is the faculty principal investigator (PI) who oversees your honors project and provides guidance throughout the process, culminating with your written honors thesis.
2. Thesis Honors Adviser - This is a faculty honors adviser from the disciplinary area in which you are pursuing honors, called your Area of Honors.

Important note: If your thesis supervisor also serves as your thesis honors adviser, you must identify a Thesis Faculty Reader to review and approve your thesis. This person should be selected in coordination with your thesis supervisor.

Understanding the role of the Thesis Honors Adviser:

The thesis honors adviser is responsible for enforcing any area-specific policies or requirements beyond the thesis itself. These may include:

• Required coursework for honors graduation, which is often verified during approval of the thesis proposal
• Restrictions on who may pursue honors in a given area - for example, some disciplines only grant honors to students who are majoring or minoring in that field, while others may allow any student whose thesis is supervised by a faculty member in the area

Students can view a list of honors advisers at the University Park campus on the Schreyer Honors College website.

Because Area of Honors policies vary by discipline, students should consult the primary honors adviser for their intended Area of Honors to confirm eligibility before proceeding. 

Integrative Science Program Policies:

The Integrative Science Program does not permit Integrative Science (a major), Science BS (an IUG program), or Natural Science (a minor) to be designated as an Area of Honors. Schreyer scholars should work with their thesis supervisor to identify a suitable disciplinary area for honors designation. The student must then obtain approval from the primary honors adviser in that discipline to officially declare it as their Area of Honors. Students who have difficulty securing an approved Area of Honors should contact the Schreyer Honors College to discuss options.

It is the responsibility of the Schreyer scholar, in coordination with their thesis supervisor, to identify and receive approval for a relevant Area of Honors that aligns with the field of the honors thesis.

Academic Advising:

Integrative Science majors who are in the Schreyer Honors College will work with an academic Honors Adviser who is well-versed in your major's degree requirements and the honors course credit requirements. Your academic honors adviser will:

• Guide your selection of honors courses that align with your major requirements
• Coach you on strategies to identify and approach a faculty PI to request their supervision of your honors thesis
• Review and approve your annual Schreyer Plan through the SRS website

Keep in mind that your academic honors adviser does not participate in guiding your research, writing your thesis, or reviewing/approving your thesis.

Download the Integrative Science Schreyer Guide to view a PDF version of this information.