College of Integrative Sciences

The College of Integrative Sciences (CIS) is an umbrella program for all natural science and mathematics disciplines at Wesleyan. We are focused on research, an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to learning, and collaboration across disciplines and departments. 

CIS equips students with the creative and quantitative skills needed to address current and emerging global challenges in science and technology. These multifaceted challenges require flexible, innovative problem-solving approaches that draw upon scholarship in science, technology, and other perspectives.

CIS attracts students who are interested in scientific research and/or are interested in creating a program of study based on their interdisciplinary interests.

CIS is a research-based major.

Research is key to CIS. Along with their faculty mentors our majors design their own research project(s) to pursue during the summer research program and the academic year. This can lead to an honors thesis, continuing to a BA/MA, presenting at conferences on and off campus, and publication.

Our majors are curious, ambitious researchers with a wide range of interests in the STEM fields and with CIS you can craft a curriculum that links your course of study to your research project. 

The CIS linked major allows you to take courses across varied fields and interests.

There are many established and emerging fields of study that lie at the intersection of two or more disciplines. The CIS linked major provides students with the opportunity to build a unique course of study based in research. Guided by a faculty mentor, students explore open questions and develop new perspectives on the frontiers of science.

For example, you can use the CIS linked-major to study:

• Climate science
• Cognitive science
• Forensic science
• Health studies
• Molecular Biophysics
• Planetary science
• Quantum biology
• Science communication
• Synthetic biology
• Systems theory and data analysis
• and more!

The CIS major is customized to you.

The CIS elective and seminar requirements can be fulfilled by courses across all the science departments and programs at Wesleyan.

• Major in one department or program in Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM).
• Take courses across the sciences and math that build interdisciplinary skills and support your independent research.
• All CIS majors should take CIS 221 and/or CIS 222 in their first or sophomore year. Typically, the summer research experience (CIS 493) is fulfilled in the summer between sophomore and junior year.
• We encourage students to build on their summer experience with research credit in both semesters of junior year and to complete an honors thesis in senior year. At least two research credits are required.
• All CIS majors must take the senior colloquium (CIS 321 and 322) in both semesters of their final year. Additionally, two journal clubs or seminars in two different disciplines are required.
• The linked major requires two additional interdisciplinary electives, most often hosted outside the foundational major. These upper level courses are typically taken in junior and/or senior year. 
• The specific electives and seminars used to fulfill the CIS major requirements should be determined in consultation with the student's CIS linked major advisor. 

Students must apply for admission to the College of Integrative Sciences (CIS) by completing the following application materials, which include: 

• A description of the proposed research project
• A description of the proposed course of study 
• A letter of reference from the proposed faculty mentor 

Normally, the deadline for applications is the Friday immediately prior to spring break. Please allow time to prepare your project description prior to the application deadline. If you miss the deadline, contact the director of the CIS to submit your application.

Students are eligible for the CIS linked major if they have chosen a Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) major and have completed or are enrolled in at least one semester of the Research Frontiers Seminar (CIS221 or CIS222). Students should have an interest in interdisciplinary scientific research.

Each summer, the CIS runs a summer research program across the sciences that hosts more than 100 Wesleyan undergraduates.  In addition to faculty mentored research, we offer a weekly seminar series, skills workshops, and the summer culminates with a symposium including presentations of research by all students. You can read more about the summer program here.

All CIS majors are required to spend at least one summer performing research. CIS majors are guaranteed to recieve a fellowship for their first summer research experience and do not need to apply separately.

CIS majors are paid at the same rate as all fellows and must fulfill all the same requirements.

The CIS linked major can only be declared and completed in addition to a primary major. The primary major must be within Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). Students must complete all the requirements for graduation from their primary major in addition to those of CIS as their linked major. 

CIS majors work with a faculty mentor to develop their research project and proposed course of study. Once accepted into the college, you will be assigned a CIS linked major advisor who can address any questions you or your mentor have about the linked major requirements.