Status of Interdisciplinary Science Programs in US Higher Education: A Census Study

This project aims to advance the national interest by developing actionable, research-based recommendations to improve the design of undergraduate interdisciplinary science programs that prepare students for the modern STEM workforce. Employers and national organizations increasingly emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary competencies, including the ability to integrate knowledge across fields, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and address complex real-world problems that do not fit within traditional disciplinary boundaries. As a result, interdisciplinary approaches to undergraduate science education have received growing national attention because of their potential to strengthen workforce preparation while also enhancing student learning and engagement. Despite this interest, there has been no comprehensive, systematic study of interdisciplinary undergraduate science programs across U.S. colleges and universities. This Level 1 Institutional and Community Transformation project plans to produce the first national census of interdisciplinary undergraduate science programs, documenting the scope, characteristics, and variation of interdisciplinary science learning environments in higher education. By establishing a national evidence base, the project plans to provide critical infrastructure to support future research, institutional decision-making, and strategic investments aimed at preparing a STEM workforce capable of addressing increasingly complex scientific, technological, environmental, and societal challenges. The project has three primary goals. First, the project plans to develop a comprehensive national census of interdisciplinary undergraduate science programs using publicly available databases, systematic web searches, and snowball sampling, followed by verification surveys with program leaders. Second, the project plans to conduct interviews with a representative sample of program leaders to examine program histories, design rationales, organizational structures, workforce-oriented learning goals, assessment practices, and perceived drivers and barriers to success. These qualitative data will provide insight into how interdisciplinary programs are designed to support student preparation for scientific careers that require cross-disciplinary collaboration and problem solving. Third, the project plans to synthesize findings from the national census and interviews to generate evidence-based recommendations for research and practice, including guidance for institutions seeking to strengthen interdisciplinary workforce preparation in undergraduate science education. Project deliverables include a publicly available report, peer-reviewed publications, and interactive dissemination activities such as webinars to support broad access and use across the higher education community. The NSF IUSE: EDU Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Institutional and Community Transformation track, the program supports efforts to transform and improve STEM education across institutions of higher education and disciplinary communities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.