Self-Directed Interdisciplinary Program
Concept
At National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, students' interests and
abilities often extend beyond disciplinary boundaries.
The Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program enables students, within a
flexible academic system, to independently design a learning theme and
pursue it in the form of a double major. In addition to their original
departmental specialization, students may combine inter-college courses,
programs, or self-designed modules to build an integrated and
forward-looking second major. This is not only a degree program, but
also a practical initiative for students to define their own learning
directions.
Guiding Principles
Centered on「
self-directed learning, cross-disciplinary integration, modular
design, degree self-naming, and irreplaceability」, the program encourages students to integrate expertise from
multiple fields in response to emerging issues and personal goals.
The program is grounded in the Ministry of Education's Flexible
Interdisciplinary Study Pilot Program, as well as the University's
accumulated experience in cross-disciplinary exploration since the 2015
academic year, formally extending the spirit of self-directed learning
to the bachelor's degree level.
Traditional Double Major
Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program
The second major follows an existing departmental program
The second major consists of a student-designed thematic field
Required courses and curriculum structure are fixed
Students select fields, micro-programs, or credit programs based on learning objectives, with flexible combinations totaling at least 50 credits
Degree title follows existing departmental names
Degree title reflects the interdisciplinary characteristics of the field
Emphasis on the systematic completion of the second major
Emphasis on personalized integration and innovative application abilities
Limited degree of interdisciplinarity
Interdisciplinary integration as a core design principle
Curriculum Structure (128 Credits)
University-required courses:
credits
24
Self-designed course modules
at least credits
50
(cross-disciplinary programs / micro-programs / credit programs, or self-proposed modules)
General electives
may include courses from the student's home department
Capstone project
credits
3
(an integrative task jointly defined by the advisor and the student)
Module Combination Options (choose one)
- Two cross-disciplinary programs
- One cross-disciplinary program plus two micro-programs or credit programs (may include one self-designed blank micro-program)
- Five micro-programs or credit programs (may include one self-designed blank micro-program)
Mode of Study and Degree Awarding
Students may choose one of the following three pathways based on their learning plans:
1
Home Department + Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program:
A dual-degree pathway in which students complete the graduation requirements of both their home department and the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program.
2
Transfer to the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program:
Students graduate under the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program after completing its graduation requirements and relinquishing the degree of their home department.
3
Retain the Home Department Degree:
If the graduation requirements of the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program are not completed, students may still graduate under their home department. Completed programs may be awarded certificates of completion.
The graduation certificate and academic transcript will indicate the Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program and the name of the field of study.
Suitable Students
- Students whose home department curriculum does not fully meet their personal interests
- Students with ambitions for cross-disciplinary exploration or innovative integration
- Students who wish to transition into emerging fields or develop a personalized thematic degree
- The Self-directed Interdisciplinary Program offers students learning possibilities with a limited entry but unlimited outcomes.
- With the support of faculty advisors and academic advisors, each student is able to develop a unique interdisciplinary degree.
