Interdisciplinary Problem Solving Minor
The 21st century will be defined by the complexity and interconnected nature of human endeavors. The challenges of this interconnected world are vast, and they will require problem-solvers who are both specialized and capable of working across many fields of knowledge. The Interdisciplinary Problem Solving Minor (PSMI) provides students across the University the opportunity to develop applied problem solving skills to meet these challenges.
Minoring in Interdisciplinary Problem Solving will help students integrate information, methods of inquiry, research skills, and experiential learning from across multiple fields of knowledge. Students will be encouraged to draw from their major field of study, while also exploring other disciplines related to addressing complex, real world problems. The minor will also encourage experimentation and synthesis while students engage with models of interdisciplinary research.
Learning Different Skillsets outside of your discipline
For students that have a lot of free credits and flexible schedules, the Interdisciplinary Problem Solving minor should not be overlooked. This minor enables me to gain knowledge from areas such as data science, coding, and business management — to name a few — without committing 24 credits towards a minor in those one of fields alone. Being a communications student, I want to learn different skillsets outside of my discipline that will help me be adaptable in the ever-changing workplace. With this minor, I have the opportunity to learn from different colleges within the University, receive guidance from the Honors Program about my future professions and courses, and have more interactions (and networking!) with students outside of my discipline.
I am also in the process of figuring out where I want to work in the future. The more tangible skillsets I gain from these courses outside of my discipline, the more likely I am to secure more co-op offers. With that, I am using this minor to direct what industries I am trying to co-op in as well as where I want to end up professionally.
However, the Interdisciplinary Problem Solving Minor is also very useful for anyone who is enrolled in a major that does not offer a lot of course flexibility. With this minor, you can be strategic by tailoring your minimal free credits to the topics and skills you want to learn outside your discipline. And, in the case of an individual who has a lot of room in their schedule, you may find that you really love one of your classes and may want to add on an additional minor in that field. This minor helps you discover what fields you like and what fields you don’t like — which helps you streamline both your college and career paths.
—Amanda Milo, Communication major with a concentration in Public Relations, minors in History and Interdisciplinary Problem Solving