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2010-2011 University Catalog
Individualized Study, BIS
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Banner Code: LA-BIS-INDV
Web: bis.gmu.edu
Students pursing a bachelor of individualized study must meet the baccalaureate degree requirements for all undergraduates: they need to complete 120 credits with 45 credits above the 300 level and at least 30 credits at Mason. Like all students, BIS students must complete university general education requirements.
Students in the BIS program meet a modified general education program of 33 credits: 6 credits in English composition (ENG 101 and ENG 302), 9 credits in humanities, 9 credits in social sciences, 3 credits in MATH or STAT (MATH 106 or STAT 250), 3 credits in course work in information technology, and 3 credits in a lab or non-lab natural science. They complete the university synthesis requirement by completing BIS 490. Students pursuing the concentration in early childhood education studies meet general education requirements as specified in the articulation agreement between NVCC and Mason: they complete 18 credits through NVCC coursework (lower level written communication (ENGL 101), oral communication (COMM 100), 6 credits of social sciences, MATH or STAT, and information technology) and 18-19 credits at Mason (upper level written communication (ENGL 302), 3 or 4 credits of natural science, 6 credits of humanities (including 3 credits of arts), 3 credits of social science, and 3 credits in synthesis (BIS 490).
This program of study is offered by the Individualized Study Program .
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog. |
Degree Requirements
Students pursuing an bachelor of individualized study degree must complete four required courses and one concentration.
All BIS students are encouraged to pursue a minor. For students pursuing the individualized study concentration, 15 credits of the minor must be applied uniquely to the minor and not to the concentration. For students pursuing the concentration in early childhood studies, the minor is required and included in the credits applied to the concentration. Four core courses (10 credits)
Students must complete each of the four core courses with a minimum grade of 2.00.
In BIS 390 (or 391 for students pursuing honors in the major), students develop a project proposal. An approved proposal from BIS 390 or 391 is a prerequisite to enroll in BIS 490.
In BIS 490, students complete a senior capstone project that varies according to the individual program of study. It may be an investigative or creative project, and it must be appropriate to the student’s interdisciplinary concentration. BIS 490 requires significant writing and fulfills the university general education synthesis requirement. The project is evaluated by the BIS 490 instructor in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor and others as determined by the BIS director.
BIS 490 and BIS 491 are taken concurrently when no more than 6 credits remain in the concentration.
The core courses: One concentration
Students must complete one concentration of 24-36 credits. Of the credits applied to the concentration, at least 15 credits must be at the 300 level or above and a maximum of 6 credits can have grades of C- or D (grades below 2.00). The total credits applied to the concentration must represent a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Courses applied to a concentration may not also be used to fulfill general education requirements. ▲Individualized Concentration (IND)
Students may choose to do an individualized concentration to meet their own academic needs and interests. The concentration is developed in close consultation with BIS staff and a faculty mentor. Students may incorporate into their individualized concentrations up to 9 credits of previously earned college course work and nontraditional credit from other institutions. In addition to the 4 core courses, students doing this concentration complete between 24 and 36 credits, depending on the topic and the student’s preparation. 24 to 36 credits from a minimum of two disciplines
Students are encouraged to include BIS 489 - Directed Readings and Research in the concentration and complete it before taking BIS 490. ▲ Concentration in Early Childhood Education Studies (ECES)
This concentration offers students holding a Northern Virginia Community College associate’s degree in applied science in early childhood development the opportunity to obtain a BIS in early childhood education studies and a minor in business. This concentration does not lead to teacher licensure in early childhood education. To receive this concentration, students complete 34 credits beyond the associates degree (in addition to the 4 core BIS courses and general education requirements).
Admission Requirements
Students are guaranteed admission to Mason and this BIS concentration if they have achieved the GPA stipulated in the Mason/NVCC general articulation agreement and completed all requirements for an associate’s degree in applied science in early childhood development as stipulated in the articulation agreement for early childhod education studies. Unlike the individualized concentration, there is no restriction regarding number of years since high school graduation for admission into this BIS concentration. 19 credits of interdisciplinary courses
One course (3 credits) in human growth and development
One course (3 credits) focused on diverse young learners chosen from:
One course (3 credits) in linguistic development of infants and toddlers chosen from:
One course (4 credits) in research methods chosen from
6 credits of electives at the 300-400-level
- Students chose 6 credits of electives relevant to the concentration in consultation with their faculty mentor.
Five courses (15 credits) leading to a minor in business
Note:
Students may petition to substitute another minor relevant to early childhood studies. A substitution requires the approval of the program director. |
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