The Bachelor of Integrative Studies (BIS) empowers students to build a curriculum for their specific career and educational goals. Students receive on-on-one assistance from a BIS Academic Adviser and an assigned faculty mentor. A blend of courses from multiple disciplines, ultimately creates a degree that prepares today's students for an increasingly interdisciplinary and versatile world.
It's simple: Your passion – your plan.
In order to get started, you to complete the following steps: complete the advising tutorial and schedule an appointment with an advisor (see below).
If you are a current Oakland University student, you will need to complete the advising tutorial before scheduling an advising appointment.
Students should make advising appointments well before registration or semester start dates. Appointment demand during these cycles makes appointment scheduling more challenging.
Appointments may be scheduled by calling the BIS office at (248) 370-3229 or online from the "Meet your Advisers" tab.
Bring your advising records to all advising appointments (past advising charts and Transfer Equivalency Worksheet [TEW's] plus a degree evaluation).
Review your current plan of study via the e-Plan system (current students only) www.oakland.edu/bis "e-Plan log in"
Check your adviser's work (they are human and make mistakes), raise questions and point out anything that seems confusing or incorrect.
Come early to be on time! If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment so we can better serve you.
Understand how university requirements apply to your academic records. Carefully read the catalog parts that apply to you, especially those that apply to General Education. Make sure classes you need to fulfill a requirement meet the catalog stipulations.
Don't sign up for a class for which you have already received credit. This happens often to transfer students. Classes at another school often have different titles and usually have different numbers. Check your plan of study and TCE.
Select classes where possible with professors that you find engaging. A course title never teaches a class, a teacher teaches a class. The right teacher makes the most unattractively titled class compelling. Talk to peers whose opinions you respect. Trust your own judgment as well - especially if you are a junior or senior. It is unprofessional for advisers to make teacher recommendations.
Does the class you are substituting carry at least the same number of credits as the one you are replacing?
Are you using a 100/200 level class to replace a 300/400 level class?
Have you chosen to replace a course that satisfies your general education, ethnic diversity or writing proficiency requirement?
Request a senior check via email by contacting us at bis@oakland.edu once you accumulate 91 credits. You may also request this check by contacting the BIS office by phone at 248-370-3229. This identifies the remaining requirements you need to graduate.
Fill out the Online Application for Degree online by visiting the Applying for Graduation page.
To submit a completed application, a student interested in BIS must complete an e-Plan and BIS Rationale after meeting with an adviser. The rationale should be sent directly to the adviser once completed.
Please review the handbook to complete the e-plan based on your plan of study.
Minors and concentrations are not required for BIS students, however if interested, a student must complete the minor form linked below. For more information, please view the requirements.
For HRD minors, please speak with your BIS adviser.
Please click here to schedule an appointment with an adviser.
For each advising session, bring any and all records of college-level course work (including OU’s SAIL transcript and transfer credit evaluations, in case we are unable to obtain them).
Contact BIS to set up an appointment at 248-370-3229 or bis@oakland.edu.
Meet with a professional adviser and faculty mentor to complete the BIS application.
Step 2 - After meeting with an adviser, complete an e-Plan and BIS Rationale.
Submit application for final approval by a BIS Faculty Review Committee.
Complete the BIS capstone course at Oakland University, HS 4930 (Field Experience in Integrative Studies).
Once you accumulate 91 credits, request a senior check by email (bis@oakland.edu) or by phone (248-370-3229). This identifies the remaining requirements you need to graduate.
Step 4 - Fill out the Online Application for Degree online by visiting the Applying for Graduation page.
Zachary Yaker (Pre-Med) - Attended the University of Michigan where he completed the necessary pre-med requirements. He spent several years working in clinical and research settings. As a part of the BIS program he plans on taking courses that will improve his communication and writing skills as well as further his scientific knowledge. He has already been accepted into Central Michigan University's Medical School.