Weber State University

Bachelor of Integrated Studies

 

 

Student Handbook

2008 - 2009

Welcome to the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Program

 

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (B.I.S.) is an interdisciplinary degree, which meets all the requirements of a Weber State University bachelor's degree.

 

Instead of choosing a major and a minor, B.I.S. students complete coursework related to three interdisciplinary areas of emphases and then integrate their three areas of emphases into a single capstone project, or senior thesis. The capstone project follows the format of a Master's thesis in that students work with a committee consisting of faculty representatives from each of their three emphasis areas in order to complete a capstone project that reflects scholarly knowledge development in each of the three chosen areas.  A final oral defense is held when the project is completed.

 

The B.I.S. degree exemplifies the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. For example, a student who combined coursework in nutrition, exercise science, and interior design created a capstone project portfolio that included design plans for the interior of a health club.  Another student combined coursework in Emergency Care and Rescue, Microbiology, and Health Promotion to create a capstone project that included the development and creation of a course meant to educate EMTs about the risks of infection in the field.

 

B.I.S. students creatively design their own degrees, selecting areas of emphases and capstone projects that will prepare them for graduate school or a particular career path. Completion of this degree requires independence, inventiveness, and ingenuity…and also a great deal of resolve. Completing a BIS degree is remarkable accomplishment!

 

I am here to advise, support, and encourage BIS students. I am never more than a phone call or e-mail message away. Student learning and success are my goals!

 

Dr. Kathleen Sitzman

BIS Coordinator

 

Table of Contents

Program Overview	4
Introduction	4
Mission	4
Program Outcomes	4
Type of Degree Offered	5
Staff	5
Resources for Student Support	6
Community Involvement Center	7
BIS Service Learning Project	11
Office of Undergraduate Research	19
Stewart Library	20
Program Requirements	23
Overview	23
BIS Coursework Highlights	23
Process for Student Admission and Progression	23
Capstone Process	27
Overview	27
Specific Student Responsibilities	27
Specific Faculty Committee Member Responsibilities	29
Program Forms	31
Student Handbook Admission Contract	33
B.I.S. Capstone Prospectus Meeting	34
B.I.S. Capstone Contract	35
Capstone Cover Page for Library	36
Capstone Final Reading/Grading Form	37
B.I.S. Contract Substitution Form	38
B.I.S. Contract Addition Form	39
B.I.S. Contract Deletion Form	40
B.I.S. Degree Application Form	41

 

Program Overview

 

Introduction

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (B.I.S.) is an interdisciplinary degree, which meets all the requirements of a bachelor's degree from this institution.

 

Instead of choosing a major and a minor, a B.I.S. student selects three interdisciplinary areas of emphases, and works out a contract of courses with his or her departments of choice. As a culminating experience, the student then integrates the three areas of emphases in a single capstone project, or senior thesis. This project follows the format of a Master's thesis in that the student works with a faculty committee comprised of a member from each of his or her three departments.  A final oral defense is held when the project is completed.

 

B.I.S. students pro-actively design their own degrees, working within the confines of Weber State University requirements for every bachelor's degree, and they often select areas of emphases that work well together to prepare them for a particular career path.

 

Mission

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) is an interdisciplinary degree program that reports directly to the office of Academic Affairs. The BIS program best suits the student who has developed a sense of his or her educational and life goals, and who is looking for ways to express those goals through a self-designed and self-directed university program. The BIS Program serves the needs of the student who wants to:

*          individualize or create a unique academic program

*          obtain a broad liberal education

*          prepare for specific career goals and/or graduate school

To accomplish these general outcomes, the BIS student completes course work in three different disciplines. As a culminating experience, the student then synthesizes the three disciplines in a capstone project.

 

Program Outcomes

As a result of completing the course work and capstone thesis, a BIS student should demonstrate the following outcomes:

1.      A solid base of knowledge related to three areas of emphases; this outcome is achieved through the three contracted areas of emphases course work.

2.      An ability to synthesize three areas of emphases into an integrated capstone project; the capstone demonstrates this goal.

3.      Analytical, assessment, and problem-solving skills, which are demonstrated in course work and the capstone; beyond the critical thinking skills expected in their course work, students are also required to include analysis in their capstones.

4.      Professional and life-skills; the capstone process teaches the students leadership skills, and they also must create a professional resume as an assignment for Education 3800.

5.      A life plan beyond graduation, either in a particular career or graduate program. Students write a statement of purpose when they come into the program as a starting point for focusing on graduation and their professional lives thereafter.

 

Type of degree offered

The BIS program offers a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree.

 

Staff

The BIS program is run by the coordinator, Dr. Kathleen Sitzman, and the program secretary, Pam Jones. Dr. Sitzman is generally in the office 2 full days per week and also on an as-needed basis.  Pam Jones is in the office daily.

 

Pam Jones manages the coordinator’s schedule. To set up an appointment, please call (801) 626-7713 or e-mail pamelajones1@weber.edu.

 

The BIS program does not hire instructors. Students complete their course work within the different departments of their areas of emphases.

                                                                                               

BIS shares a student senator with the Honors Department. The B.I.S. coordinator and the Honor’s Program Director share advising responsibilities for this shared student senator.

 

Resources for Student Support

 

During the process of completing coursework and capstone projects, students in the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Department often benefit from utilization of resources related to the WSU Stewart Library, Community Involvement Center, and/or the Office of Undergraduate Research.  The WSU Stewart Library offers access to a large assortment of on-campus and online scholarly journals, books, and other media that students may use to support scholarly papers and capstone work.  The Community Involvement Center offers a wide array of partnership opportunities for students who wish to complete a BIS internship (EDUC 3850) or a community based capstone project.  The Office of Undergraduate Research provides funding possibilities for students engaged in faculty-assisted research activities.  Additional information on these three important student resources follows.

 

Community Involvement Center

 

Why is it important for students to be involved with service?

Getting involved with community service is important for students. Here are just of few of the many benefits available to service driven students…

• Service can help students gain experience by using their skills in a practical way and in a real-life situations.
• Students are able to network with possible future employers or business contacts.
• The experience that students gain by working with the community is not only often applicable to future employment, but it can help them obtain employment or further graduate school education when it is listed on resumes.
• Service trains students to become civically engaged and informed.
• The service that is provided benefits the community in which they live.

What is the Community Involvement Center?

The Community Involvement Center (CIC) at Weber State University promotes civic participation by combining academic learning and community service. As a resource for students the center facilitates Community-Based Research, Service-Learning, and volunteer work by working with students, faculty members and the community.

What does that mean for you?

You can:

• supplement your education by performing research off-campus with the purpose of solving a pressing community problem or affecting social change, or
• apply your classroom knowledge by using your skills in real-world community settings, or
• participate in volunteerism for experience and resume building.

What are the different ways the CIC can help?

The Community Involvement Center….

• Can connect students with over a hundred community partners that are looking for WSU students to help their organization. The center can not only provide students with this list, but can help them find the organization that best meets their needs, as well as direct them to leadership positions if they desire.
• Provides student scholarship and grant opportunities for those involved with service that need extra money for school or for a community service projects.
• Supports a Community Calendar that is easily accessible where you can view the different service activities during the month that have been posted by our registered community partners.
• Gives you access to campus, state, and regional discussions, training and retreats.
• Provides assistance in tracking and recording service hours, for class, employment or personal use. The CIC can provide a Weber State University endorsed printout of these hours if needed.  Hours will be forwarded to class instructors for service-learning classes at the end of weeks 5, 10, and 15.
• Can also provide letters of recommendation for potential employers or graduate schools regarding service in the community.

How to contact the CIC…

Visit the website www.weber.edu/communityinvolvement

Call 801-626-7737

Email cic@weber.edu

Drop by Room 94 in the Stewart Library (temporary location).  The CIC will be located in the newly renovated east side of the student union building in September 2008.

How do I register with the Community Involvement Center?     How do I find an agency to volunteer with?         Why should I register with the Community Involvement Center?     As a student, how do I find out how many service hours have I completed?

Community Involvement Center FAQ’s for Students

 

 Registering with the Community Involvement Center

       Access the registration form at http://weber/edu/CommunityInvolvement, the Community Involvement Home page.

        Click on ‘Register’ in the purple bar on the left of the page.

        Choose appropriate registration form for your situation. i.e. service-learning or VIP

        Fill out registration form completely and accurately.  You will receive a confirmation page and a confirmation email when your registration is complete.

 

Accessing the Service Opportunity Directory

You will find several links to the Service Opportunity Directory on the Community Involvement web pages.

           Access the Service Opportunity Directory at http://weber/edu/CommunityInvolvement  the Community Involvement Home page.

           Click on ‘Service Opportunity Directory’ icon.

           Once the Service Opportunity Directory is accessed, click on any agency on the left to see details concerning that agency.

What the Community Involvement Center provides:

          Maintain Service Opportunity Directory (list of over 100 community partners).

          Record and track completed service hours.

          Communicate completed service hours to instructors at three separate times during semester: at the end of 5, 10 and 15 weeks. (for service learning students)

          24/7 access to the CIC Service Hours Tracking System for students to monitor their completed service hours.  Accessible from any location via the CIC home page.

          Documentation of service, upon request, for potential employers and/or graduate programs.

Accessing the Community Involvement Center Hours Tracking System

          Access the CIC home page at http://weber/edu/CommunityInvolvement.

         Click on ‘Check My Service Hours’ in the purple bar on the left of the page.

          Login to the CIC tracking system.

          Login: Your email address.

          Password: You designated this password on your registration form.

         Your service hours can be accessed under the “My Service History” tab.

Organizations that have partnered with the

Community Involvement Center for service opportunities

 

Animal Rescue A New Beginning Animal Rescue Davis County Animal Shelter Ogden City Animal Services   Arts/Museums/Parks Antelope Island State Park Dinosaur Park and Museum Discovery Gateway 1 Discovery Gateway Eccles Community Art Center Hill Aerospace Museum Layton Heritage Museum Museum of Natural Science Ogden City Arts Ogden Nature Center Peery's Egyptian Theater Roy Historical Museum This Is The Place Heritage Park Treehouse Children's Museum   Mentoring Youth Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah Boy Scouts of America Boys and Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis - VIP CARES - VIP Clearfield Job Corps Center (Great Basin High School) Colors of Success Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Division of Juvenile Justice Services Jesus Field Let's Play - Ogden City Police Department Millcreek Youth Center Ogden Weber Extended School Programs Outreach Resource Center Paramount Community Based Services Paramount Reflections Project Success Coalition Student-to-Student Outreach Program, WSU Teen Thing Program Youth Impact   Working with People with Disabilities Best Buddies - VIP

Mentoring Adults Catholic Community Services (Hall Learning Center) Developmental Training Systems, Inc. Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center Rise, Inc. Scottish Rite Foundation Special Olympics - VIP Turn Community Services Utah State Schools for the Deaf and Blind   Tutoring America Reads Davis Weber School District Davis School District Ogden City School District   Community Service Opportunities Alternative Spring Break - VIP American Cancer Society American Red Cross Centro de la Familia de Utah Christmas Box House Christmas Tree Bridge - VIP Clearfield City Corporation Cottages of Hope Davis Applied Technology Center Davis County Attorney's Victims of Crime Assistance Program Davis Mental Health Farmington City Leisure Services Girl Scouts of Utah Habitat for Humanity - Weber Davis - VIP Layton City Recreation Layton Youth Court March of Dimes North Davis Prep Academy Ogden Preparatory Academy Ogden Weber Applied Technology Center Salvation Army Ogden Utah Backcountry Volunteers Utah Business Employers Team (UBET) Utah Department of Health VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

Working with the Elderly Aspen Care Center Autumn Glow Center Bridging the Gap - VIP Emeritus Estates Golden Hours Center Harrisville Senior Center Heritage Senior Center Hillside Senior Citizen Center North View Senior Center Weber Senior Nutrition Center (Meals on Wheels & Meals at Senior Center)   Working with the Homeless Homeless Projects - VIP Ogden Rescue Mission St. Anne's Shelter   Young Children Family Enrichment Center Head Start - VIP Ogden Even Start Ogden Weber Community Action Partnerships

Domestic Violence Children's Justice Center Davis Family Connection Center Domestic Violence / Rape Advocacy Program Safe Harbor - Davis Citizens' Coalition Against Violence (DCCAV) South Valley Sanctuary YCC - VIP   Family Needs Birthright of Ogden Davis County Food Bank East Layton Family Connection Center & Davis County Food Bank Family Summit Foundation: A Center for Grieving Children Family Support Center National Academy for Child Development Neighborhood Network - Family Drug Elimination Program Pregnancy Care Center Utah Foster Care Foundation   Healthcare/Hospice Alpine Hospice Alliance Harmony Home Health and Hospice Health Access Projects Hearts for Hospice Hospice for Utah Infinia Health Care at Ogden Inspiration Hospice Intermountain Donor Services McKay Dee Hospital Midtown Community Health Center Odyssey Healthcare of Utah Ogden Clinic Canyon View Rocky Mountain Care Foundation Seager Memorial Clinic, Ogden Rescue Mission Clinic South Davis Community Hospital Vista Care Hospice

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.I.S. Service-Learning Project

 

 

 

Description and Requirements:

This capstone option blends academic study and community service.  Through service-learning, you make the connection between classroom instruction and real-life situations in a reflective way.

 

Consider the following requirements:

• You must have a specific goal or purpose, with a beginning, middle and end.  It’s not enough to spend time volunteering for an agency.  What will your project contribute to the agency that they are not already doing?
• You may choose to work with any non-profit agency or educational institution, but your project cannot be affiliated with a church.
• The purpose of your capstone project is to demonstrate what you’ve learned in your three disciplines, and to synthesize that knowledge in a single project.
• Your service-learning project must be approved by your capstone committee.
• Consider what research you need to do in order to understand the issue you’re addressing through your hands-on work.  The service-learning project should be a combination of academic and practical work, so make sure you include a grounding in research.
• Make sure you do some analysis of your experience.  Here are some questions to guide your thinking:
• What worked? What didn’t? What would you do differently?
• What skills and knowledge helped you? What else did you need to know to complete this project?
• Who benefited from your work and how?
• If your project involves human subjects, you’ll have to complete the IRB paperwork for legal coverage.  This process takes time, so start early.  For more information, look at: http://departments.weber.edu/irb/.
• Think about what your final product will look like.  What will you include in your capstone portfolio and how will you organize it?

 

The Process:

1. If you do a service-learning project, you will be expected to complete the following paper work before you start your volunteer work:

·         Complete the S