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Interdisciplinary Studies

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Interdisciplinary Studies (INDIS) Courses

INDIS 299 Experimental Offering in Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.


INDIS 310 Mathematics, Computer Information Science, Engineering and Science Achievement

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:9 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course introduces the student to MESA and to the skills needed for academic success in mathematics, computer information science, engineering, and science. The course covers college resources and transfer processes as they relate to the study of math and science. The course is intended for students who will transfer to universities in a calculus-based major (biology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, etc.). This is the first 1/2 unit of a 1 unit combination of courses that will provide academic and career support to MESA students and other students in math-based majors who wish to develop study skills specific to those disciplines. (INDIS 311 or 312 complete the combination.) This course is graded on a Pass/No-Pass basis only.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • effectively communicate the campus and MESA resources pertinent to the MESA transfer student. (SLO 1)
  • describe the basic elements of the MESA/CCCP program.
  • describe the basic elements of counseling, internships, the transition center, and financial aid.
  • describe the university transfer process for STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) majors. (SLO 2)
  • discuss the structure and culture of four-year college math, CIS, engineering, and science programs.
  • outline the logistics involved in completing Associates and Bachelor degrees in math, CIS, engineering, and science.

INDIS 311 Academic Skills for a Career in Engineering, Computer Information Science, Mathematics, Physics and Related Disciplines

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:9 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:INDIS 310
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course introduces the MESA student to academic skills and career exploration needed for advanced study toward a career in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Information Science, Architecture, and Physics. This course will provide an overview of careers in engineering, math, computer information science, architecture, and physics, including the education, type of work conducted by professionals, and employment opportunities in these fields. The course is the second 1/2 unit of a 1 unit package of courses (see INDIS 310) that will provide academic and career support to MESA students. This course is graded on a pass/no-pass basis only.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand educational and career opportunities in the fields of engineering, mathematics, Computer Information Science (CIS), architecture, and physics. (SLO 1)
  • describe the education needed for careers in engineering, mathematics, CIS, architecture, and physics.
  • describe the work conducted by professionals in engineering, mathematics, CIS, architecture, and physics.
  • summarize employment opportunities in engineering, mathematics, CIS, architecture, and physics.

INDIS 312 Academic Skills for a Career in Chemistry, Biology and Related Disciplines

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:9 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:INDIS 310
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course introduces the MESA student to academic skills and career exploration needed for advanced study toward a career in Biology, Chemistry, and related fields - including dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. This course will provide an overview of careers in Biology, Chemistry, and related fields, including the education, type of work conducted by professionals, and employment opportunities. The course is the second 1/2 unit of a 1 unit package of courses (see INDIS 310) that will provide academic and career support to MESA students. This course is graded on a pass/no-pass basis only.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • understand educational and career opportunities in biology, chemistry, and related fields. (SLO 1)
  • describe the education needed for careers in biology, chemistry, and related fields.
  • describe the work conducted by professionals in biology, chemistry, and related fields.
  • summarize employment opportunities in biology, chemistry, and related fields.

INDIS 313 Freshman Seminar

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course will assist new college students in achieving academic success. Topics covered will include discipline-specific academic language and culture, the value and demands of a college education, problem-solving strategies, the use of technology in education, academic integrity, campus resources and services, and life during and after college. The course will introduce students to one or more academic disciplines or areas of study and discuss the academic and professional expectations and experiences of those disciplines.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • SLO #1 - Navigate college processes and access resources
  • understand the academic language of a community college
  • understand the roles and functions of various campus resources and services including tutoring options
  • SLO #2 - Demonstrate an awareness of the factors and skills needed to promote college success
  • identify their own strengths and barriers as related to college success
  • develop strategies to promote their own success in college
  • SLO #3 - Demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate use of technology and active learning
  • SLO #4 - Demonstrate an understanding of academic and/or career options available upon completion of community college in a specific discipline or broader area of study
  • SLO #5 - Apply the basic language and practices of a specific academic discipline or broader area of study.
  • SLO #6 – Examine their own individual behavior and choices as related to college and career and the potential effects on their physiological, psychological and social development and well-being.

INDIS 350 Life and Culture in Study Abroad

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:18 - 54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:The student must complete the pre-enrollment process into the Los Rios Community College District Study Abroad program.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course is designed to allow students to acquire a level of global competence while enrolled in the Los Rios Study Abroad program. Global competence is a continuing process of acquiring specific economic, historical, and geo-political knowledge which support the intercultural communication skills and authentic lived experiences that allow a person to function in another culture, and result in attitudes of cultural appreciation and interdependence. While participating in a specific Study Abroad program the student will have opportunities to study and generally survey the host country's historical, cultural, and geopolitical influences, as well as the societal structures to develop an understanding and appreciation of the host culture as different from U. S. American culture.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Identify aspects of social, physical, and/or emotional well-being for the community while considering present and future conditions in society [SLO #1].
  • Incorporate specific cultural, geopolitical, economic, and social knowledge into academic and personal contexts for an understanding of global competence.
  • Analyze personal beliefs, values and attitudes about the host culture that the student had prior to an intercultural experience and aspects of ethnocentric behavior that can occur within intercultural communication and relations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of concepts of physical and emotional wellness to make wise lifestyle choices and will develop these skills and competencies to understand themselves as whole persons (integral to their environment) [SLO #2].
  • Identify, analyze, articulate and describe the affects of intercultural experiences upon physical and emotional wellness while immersed in a country different than one’s native country.
  • Appreciate visual, historical and experiential cultural products of cultures different from the student’s own.
  • Identify and explain aspects of culture shock and techniques to cope and reduce its affects on physical and emotional wellness.
  • Describe the value of international travel as a part of lifelong learning and personal wellness.
  • Participate in the larger community beyond campus in a positive manner demonstrating an understanding of personal responsibility in the larger context [SLO #3; College-wide SLO].
  • Undertake thoughtful consideration of divergent points of view and utilize multiple perspectives in considering information.
  • Develop a foundation for cultural pluralism, a rejection of previous personal prejudices, and knowledge of and comfort with others unlike one’s self.

INDIS 499 Experimental Offering in Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.