How do we develop interdisciplinary links within the university?

Initial Publication Date: April 13, 2015
Go back to the beginning of this presentation, by Carolyn Eyles and Susan Vajoczki of McMaster University, about integrating interdisciplinary programs into an existing department.

Level I courses—taken as Science I electives

  • Envir Sc 1G03: Earth & the Environment
  • Envir Sc 1A03: Atmosphere & Hydrosphere
  • Envir Sc 1B03: The Living Environment
    • Attract large student numbers (380—450 in each course)
    • Students from all faculties
    • Introduce students to discipline of 'geoscience'
    • Many will take upper level geoscience courses

Include courses from other departments in specialist streams

  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Biology
  • Engineering

Allow students from other programs access to geoscience courses

  • Recruitment into EES program: Many students enter after Level II
  • Limitations: Class size/resources

Offer 'service' courses

  • Taken by students from all faculties as electives
  • Large numbers of students, highly valued by university
    • Natural Disasters (1000 students)
    • Geoarchaeology (100 students)
    • Gems and Minerals (200 students)
    • Climate Change (200 students)
    • Water & the Environment (200 students)
  • Recruitment into EES program
  • Issue: Balancing program vs 'service' resources