What is the most interdisciplinary STEM Major?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying the most interdisciplinary STEM major, with a focus on Chemical Engineering (ChemE) and its characteristics. Participants explore various majors and their interdisciplinary nature, as well as personal experiences related to academic paths.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the interdisciplinary nature of a major may depend more on the research topic and the institution rather than the major itself.
  • Another participant questions the desire for an interdisciplinary approach, implying that it may lead to a lack of depth in any one area, and humorously suggests majoring in Philosophy instead.
  • A participant shares their personal struggle to find their academic path after obtaining an undergraduate degree in physics.
  • One participant expresses a desire to learn more about ChemE and its applications, indicating a specific interest in how it relates to interdisciplinary studies.
  • Another participant points out a perceived contradiction in asking which major is most interdisciplinary, arguing that all engineering disciplines focus on solving technical problems and thus may not be inherently interdisciplinary.
  • Some majors like Biophysics, Theoretical Computer Science, Quantum Computing, and Cognitive Science are mentioned as potentially more interdisciplinary options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which major is the most interdisciplinary. There are multiple competing views regarding the nature of interdisciplinary studies and the role of engineering disciplines.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions of interdisciplinary and how they apply to specific majors, particularly in engineering. There are also unresolved assumptions about what constitutes depth versus breadth in academic study.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering interdisciplinary studies in STEM fields, particularly those interested in Chemical Engineering and its applications.

nst.john
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My question is my exact title, what is the most interdisciplinary STEM major? I was wondering because I want to be interdisciplinary and someone told me ChemE and it seems interesting but I have no clue what ChemE's do exactly and the tools they use and what they are able to do with what they learn. Can anyone tell me any more majors and explain the ChemE major as well?
 
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It probably has more to do with your research topic and your school than your major.
 
nst.john said:
My question is my exact title, what is the most interdisciplinary STEM major? I was wondering because I want to be interdisciplinary and someone told me ChemE and it seems interesting but I have no clue what ChemE's do exactly and the tools they use and what they are able to do with what they learn. Can anyone tell me any more majors and explain the ChemE major as well?

We want to do "interdisciplinary" now? What happened to "physics or EE"? Different week, different mood?

So now, you want to learn a little bit about everything, but master of nothing? I recommend majoring in Philosophy then.

Zz.
 
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I struggled for a couple years to find myself, academically. But it was after I already received an undergrad in physics.
 
I think I know what I want, I just don't know what will get me there which is why I would like to learn more about ChemE
 
You're question seems a little contradictory!Each of the majors can be called a discipline by itself and you're asking which discipline is most interdisciplinary?(This is for Engineering majors!)
From what you say,only things like BioPhysics, Theoretical Computer sciences, Quantum Computing and Cognitive science come into my mind.I may be able to extend the list but no Engineering major will be included because by definition,Engineering of any kind is finding a way to solve a technical problem no matter to what discipline that solution belongs and so anything you do as an Engineer can't be interdisciplinary!
 

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