专业详情

If your academic interests encompass two academic disciplines in Trinity College, you may wish to consider declaring an Interdepartmental Major (IDM). The IDM draws in equal measure upon two Trinity College departments or programs that offer a major. There are two types of Interdepartmental Majors in Trinity College: student-originated IDMs, which are individualized programs proposed by a student, and department-originated IDMs that students can declare similar to any other major.

student-proposed IDM must meet the following requirements:

  • An interdepartmental major must consist of a minimum of 14 courses, split evently between the two departments (e.g. seven course credits in each).
  • At least 10 of the courses must be at the 200-level or above.
  • At least four of the seven courses required by each department must be taught within the department.
  • All courses must be among those normally accepted for a major in the two departments.
  • You will have an advisor in each department.  However, one of the departments must be identified as your primary department. Your advisor in this department will be responsible for advising your program, but both advisors can make you eligible to enroll each semester.  
  • Both directors of undergraduate studies must agree to the initial list of courses that you will take in the two departments and must jointly approve any subsequent changes to your course of study.
  • Students and departments should keep in mind that the IDM requirements as stated above and in the Bulletin of Undergraduate Instruction are considered a minimum set of requirements.  At the discretion of the director of undergraduate studies, departments may set more stringent and/or more specific requirements.
  • An IDM must be planned early in your undergraduate career; an IDM will not be approved in your senior year.
  • An IDM functions as a single major and as such, can be combined with a second major.  Whether such a decision is appropriate or feasible should be carefully evaluated.
  • An IDM cannot be combined with a major or minor in either of the two departments comprising the IDM.
  • Students can request an IDM to be a BS Only if both departments offer a BS.   

If you would like to explore whether an IDM is right for you, you can talk with your college advisor, faculty in the area in which you might study, or the director of undergraduate studies in the departments you are considering. One of the questions to consider is whether completing an IDM is a better choice for you than declaring a regular major and minor.

To declare an IDM, you must develop a written plan for your program of study, give your IDM a descriptive title, and work with the directors of undergraduate studies in both departments to put together a cogent list of courses for the major that they will approve. You will specify which department is considered “primary.” In considering your proposal, the Directors of Undergraduate Studies should collaborate to insure that your IDM is rigorous and coherent. After you complete the IDM application and worksheet below and have both directors of undergraduate studies and advisors sign the application, then submit the signed form and worksheet to Academic Dean Liguo Zhang for final approval, and then processing.