Multidisciplinary Science

Director: William L. Siegmann

Traditionally, graduate degrees have focused on a single subject such as chemistry, physics, or mathematics. However, current and expected future trends in the working environment show that jobs will increasingly bridge more than one area of specialization. Biochemistry, for example, which is of major importance in today’s society, now spans two or three disciplines, including several areas of chemistry and biology. The same is true of bioinformatics, a new multidisciplinary field that depends on expertise in biology and computational sciences. Information Technology and Web Science is another example that combines expertise in computing and information systems with knowledge from other areas such as management, human-computer interaction, social sciences, and an application problem domain. See the IT and Web Science Web site (www.it.rpi.edu) for more details. These are just three in a growing number of fields that cross boundaries of specialization. Rensselaer’s M.S. and Ph.D. in Multidisciplinary Science meet the need of graduates who anticipate careers in such occupations.

Rensselaer strongly emphasizes interdisciplinary research programs that bridge disciplines within the School of Science and between the School of Science and the School of Engineering. The George M. Low Center for Industrial Innovation was specifically constructed to house research centers such as the Center for Integrated Electronics, the Center for Composite Materials and Structures, the Center for Automation Technologies, the Center for Multiphase Research, and the Scientific Computation Research Center.

Students within multidisciplinary graduate programs are under the supervision of faculty from more than one discipline. Highly knowledgeable faculty determine which courses the student needs, develop appropriate examinations, and supervise research activities. The Program Director recommends appointment of the doctoral committee and supervises the student’s overall progress.

Students interested in pursuing such multidisciplinary graduate programs must follow Rensselaer’s standard graduate admission guidelines and must seek approval from faculty representing all disciplines related to their individual programs. Very limited financial aid from Rensselaer is available for this degree program.

Prior to admission to the program, the student must demonstrate that there has been previous contact with a faculty member at Rensselaer concerning the proposed multidisciplinary research and that financial support is available.  With the help of the faculty member who is to be the principal research adviser, the student should prepare a preliminary Plan of Study and a preliminary research proposal that clearly indicates why this research is suited for the multidisciplinary program instead of a department program.

Outcomes of the Graduate Curriculum

Students who successfully complete the Multidisciplinary Sciences M.S. program will be able to demonstrate:

• an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of one field of science and at least one other field (science or related).
• ability to analyze and interpret the scientific literature and scientific presentations in the chosen science field and in the related field(s).
• contribution to the formulation of important research questions that cross multiple disciplines and assist in the investigation of their solutions.
• communication of research problems and findings both in written and oral formats.
• ability to engage with experts from multiple fields to assist in the investigation of important problems that cross these fields.

Students who successfully complete the Multidisciplinary Sciences Ph.D. program will be able to demonstrate:

• an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of one field of science and at least one other field (science or related).
• ability to analyze and interpret the scientific literature and scientific presentations in the chosen science field and in the related field(s).
• formulation of important research questions that cross multiple disciplines and formulate and carry out a research program to address these questions.
• communication of research problems and findings both in written and oral formats.
• ability to engage with experts from multiple fields to assist in the investigation of important problems that cross these fields.