Interdisciplinary graduate programs

Explore U of I’s interdisciplinary research programs

Through U of I’s interdisciplinary research-focused graduate programs, you’ll have the opportunity to take a broad range of classes and learn from expert faculty across multiple colleges. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of your chosen discipline and be prepared to tackle some of the world’s most challenging problems.

U of I is Idaho’s first and only Carnegie R1 classified university, and in 2024, had $140.4 million in research expenditures and 80 doctoral degrees awarded. Take the next step in your academic journey and explore our university-wide research programs.

M.S. and M.A. in interdisciplinary studies

Design a graduate degree that crosses traditional boundaries. University of Idaho’s Interdisciplinary Studies master’s programs allow students to pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) tailored to their unique academic and professional goals.

This on-campus program is offered through the College of Graduate Studies and provides the flexibility to combine multiple areas of interest under the guidance of the dean and a dedicated faculty committee.

Program director:
Jerry McMurtry
Dean of the College of Graduate Studies
mcmurtry@uidaho.edu
208-885-2337

Apply today

Begin your U of I graduate journey.

Start your application

What to know before applying

With your application for admission, you must submit a written statement describing your interdisciplinary program proposal and explaining your reasons for pursuing an interdisciplinary master’s degree.  

You will also need to identify a major professor who has agreed to advise you in your proposed program. Your major professor must be a graduate faculty member from one of the disciplines you have named in your proposal. If you choose the thesis option, the major professor will serve as your thesis director.

If you’re interested in applying to an interdisciplinary degree program, contact the College of Graduate Studies before you apply to discuss your proposed course of study.

Need more information?

Find admission requirements for graduate students.

Visit Graduate Admissions

M.S. and Ph.D. in bioinformatics and computational biology

Bioinformatics and computational biology (BCB) is a highly flexible, hands-on, interdisciplinary graduate program that prepares you to conduct research in academia, health sciences, agriculture and other industries. The BCB program integrates research and coursework in computer sciences, biological sciences and mathematical sciences.

Program director:
Paul Hohenlohe
Professor and Director, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Program
hohenlohe@uidaho.edu


Bioinformatics and computational biology faculty advisors

Faculty members from across the university bring valuable expertise and perspectives that drive discovery at the intersection of computer sciences, biological sciences and mathematics.

Biological, Fish and Wildlife Sciences

  • Courtney Conway

    Professor of Wildlife Sciences and Unit Leader of the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

  • Luke J. Harmon

    Professor

  • Paul Hohenlohe

    Professor, Biological Sciences; Director, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program

  • Adam G. Jones

    Distinguished Professor

  • Christopher Marx

    Professor

  • Craig Miller

    Assistant Professor

  • Scott Nuismer

    Professor

  • Christine Parent

    Professor

  • Barrie Robison

    Professor and Director, Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences

  • John "Jack" M. Sullivan

    Professor

  • Klas Udekwu

    Assistant Professor

  • Lisette Waits

    Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Resources

  • Holly A. Wichman

    University Distinguished Professor and Director, CMCI

Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology

  • Chris Hamilton

    Associate Professor

  • Alexander Karasev

    Distinguished Professor

Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences

  • Mark McGuire

    Distinguished Professor and Associate Director of COBRE

  • Michelle (Shelley) McGuire

    Distinguished Professor and Director of Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences; Director of COBRE

  • Brenda Murdoch

    Professor

  • Matt Powell

    Interim Associate Dean of Research and Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station

  • James Van Leuven

    Assistant Professor

Psychology and Philosophy

  • Bert Baumgaertner

    Professor of Philosophy

  • Colin Xu

    Assistant Professor

Computer Science and Mathematics

  • Erkan Buzbas

    Associate Professor

  • Frank Gao

    Professor

  • Esteban Hernandez-Vargas

    Associate Professor

  • Hasan Jamil

    Associate Professor

  • Chris Remien

    Associate Professor

  • Benjamin Ridenhour

    Associate Professor

  • Terry Soule

    Professor

  • Min Xian

    Associate Professor

  • Tiantian Yang

    Assistant Professor

  • Fan Yi

    Assistant Professor

Engineering and Physics

  • Erik R. Coats

    Sorenson Family Endowed Professor in Water Resources

  • Andreas E. Vasdekis

    Associate Professor

  • F. Marty Ytreberg

    Professor

M.S. and Ph.D. in environmental science

Help sustain our planet and address some of the most complex conservation challenges facing us now and in the future.  This interdisciplinary program combines core scientific fields — such as water science and energy systems — with policy and management frameworks that shape real-world conservation outcomes.

Program director:
Jaap Vos
Professor, Department Head and Director of the Environmental Science Program, Natural Resources and Society
jvos@uidaho.edu
208-364-4595


Environmental science faculty advisors

Our faculty span the university, bringing interdisciplinary expertise in policy, water science, energy systems and related fields.

Chemistry, Soil and Water Systems

  • Erin Brooks

    Professor

  • Lide Chen

    Professor and Extension Specialist in Waste Management Engineering

  • I. Francis Cheng

    Professor

  • Robert Heinse

    Department Head and Professor of Soil and Water Systems

  • Laurel Lynch

    Associate Professor

  • Robert Mahler

    Professor

  • Greg Moller

    Professor

  • Jae Hyeon Ryu

    Professor

  • Daniel Strawn

    Professor

  • Ray Von Wandruszka

    Department Chair and Professor

Agricultural Sciences

  • Allan Caplan

    Associate Professor

  • Erin Chapman

    Clinical Professor

  • Stephen Cook

    Department Head and Professor of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology

  • Sanford Eigenbrode

    Distinguished Professor Emeritus

  • Lorie Higgins

    Professor and Extension Specialist in Sociology

  • Katherine Lee

    Associate Professor

  • Alexander Maas

    Associate Professor

  • Timothy Prather

    Professor and Senior Associate Director of Rangeland Center

  • Mark Schwarzläender

    Professor and Associate Director of Center for Research on Invasive Species

  • Jared Spackman

    Idaho Barley Commission Endowed Barley Agronomist, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist

  • Philip Watson

    Professor

Architecture and Design

  • Rula Awwad-Rafferty

    Chair of Design and Environments, Professor, Design UI Service Learning Fellow

  • Xiao Hu

    Associate Dean of the College of Art and Architecture and Professor of Architecture

  • Andrew Kliskey

    President’s Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Resilient Communities, Idaho EPSCoR Director

Business

  • George Tanner

    Idaho Entrepreneurs Director and Senior Instructor of Entrepreneurship

Education

  • Ann Frost

    Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor

  • Brant G. Miller

    Professor

Engineering

  • Eric Aston

    Professor

  • Erik R. Coats

    Sorenson Family Endowed Professor in Water Resources

  • Fritz Fiedler

    Professor

  • Amin Mirkouei

    Associate Professor

  • James Moberly

    Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering

  • Batric Pesic

    Professor

  • Russell Qualls

    Associate Professor and Idaho State Climatologist

  • Daniele Tonina

    Professor, Co-Director, Center for Ecohydraulics Research

  • Vivek Utgikar

    Professor

  • Sarah (Xiao) Wu

    Associate Professor

  • Elowyn Yager

    Professor, Co-Director, Center for Ecohydraulics Research

  • Haiyan Zhao

    Associate Professor

Law

  • Dylan Hedden-Nicely

    Professor of Law

  • Jerrold Long

    Professor of Law

  • Richard Seamon

    Margaret Schimke Distinguished Professor of Law

 Social Sciences

  • Romuald Afatchao

    Clinical Full Professor, Associate Director of the Martin Institute

  • Bert Baumgaertner

    Professor of Philosophy

  • Kristin Haltinner

    Professor of Sociology

  • Leontina Hormel

    Professor of Sociology

  • Erin James

    Professor of English; Sustainability Certificate Director; Co-Director of the Confluence Lab

  • Jennifer Ladino

    Professor of English; director of M.A. English; co-director of The Confluence Lab; core faculty in environmental science

  • Aleta Quinn

    Associate Professor of Philosophy

  • Dilshani Sarathchandra

    Associate Professor of Sociology

  • Manoj K. Shrestha

    Professor of Political Science and Public Administration

Natural Resources

  • Jocelyn Aycrigg

    Associate Research Professor

  • Kristina Bartowitz

    Research Assistant Professor of Ecosystem Ecology

  • Dennis Becker

    Dean of the College of Natural Resources

  • Luigi Boschetti

    Professor of Earth Observation Data Science 

  • Randall Brooks

    Professor and Extension Specialist in Forestry 

  • Christopher Caudill

    Professor of Fisheries

  • Ming-Hsun Cheng

    Assistant Professor of Energy and Environment

  • Jan U.H. Eitel

    Associate Professor

  • Karla Eitel

    Director, McCall Field Campus; Professor of Place-Based Environmental Education

  • Mary Engels

    Assistant Professor

  • Paul Gessler

    Professor of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Ecology

  • Tara Hudiburg

    Professor of Ecosystem Ecology

  • Tracey N. Johnson

    Director of Research, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch Associate Professor

  • Brian Kennedy

    Professor of Fishery Biology and Ecology

  • Leda Kobziar

    Professor of Wildland Fire Science, Director of Master of Natural Resources Program

  • Greg Latta

    Associate Research Professor of Forest Economics; Director, Policy Analysis Group

  • Karen Launchbaugh

    Professor of Rangeland Ecology 

  • Timothy E. Link

    Professor of Hydrology; Director, Water Resources Graduate Program

  • Armando McDonald

    Distinguished Professor of Forest and Sustainable Products

  • Jessica Miesel

    Associate Professor of Fire Ecology

  • Andrew Nelson

    Associate Professor of Forest Regeneration, Tom A. Alberg and Judith Beck Endowed Chair of Native Plant Regeneration, Director of Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research

  • Travis Paveglio

    Professor of Natural Resource Sociology 

  • Janet Rachlow

    Professor of Wildlife Ecology

  • David Roon

    Environmental Science Program Associate Director, Clinical Assistant Professor of Conservation Biology

  • Dennis Scarnecchia

    Professor of Fisheries Science and Management

  • Kerri Vierling

    Associate Dean; Professor of Wildlife Resources

  • Jaap Vos

    Professor of Planning and Natural Resources; Director of the Environmental Science Program; Department Head

  • Lisette Waits

    Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Resources

  • Kenneth E. Wallen

    Associate Professor of Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife

  • Frank Wilhelm

    Professor of Limnology, Department Head, Associate Director, Center for Research on Invasive Species

  • Patrick Wilson

    Associate Professor of Natural Resource Policy

  • Chris Zajchowski

    Assistant Professor of Parks, Tourism and Recreation Ecology

Physics, Earth and Spatial Sciences

  • Jerry P. Fairley

    Professor

  • Grant Harley

    Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Geography

  • Jeffrey Hicke

    Professor

  • Karen Humes

    Professor

  • Jeff Langman

    Associate Professor and Associate Chair

  • Felix Liao

    Associate Professor

  • You Qiang

    Professor

  • Alistair Smith

    Professor and Department Chair

Ph.D. in nutritional sciences

Gain an advanced understanding of nutritional sciences. Further explore the complex relationships between nutrition, health and disease with a doctorate in nutritional sciences. Study a variety of nutrition disciplines and prepare to translate those topics into practical use for human or animal health and wellness. You will learn about the latest nutrition topics and research as you partner with accomplished faculty to address critical regional, international and global issues.  

Program director:
Annie Roe
Associate Professor, Extension Specialist and Director of Eat Smart Idaho
aroe@uidaho.edu
208-885-1709


Nutritional sciences faculty advisors

Our faculty’s cross-disciplinary expertise advances research in nutritional sciences and explores the connections between diet, health and human biology.

Family and Consumer Sciences

  • Yimin Chen

    Associate Professor

  • Adrianne Griebel-Thompson

    Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Maternal and Infant Nutrition

  • Virginia (Ginny) Lane

    Assistant Professor

  • Michelle (Shelley) McGuire

    Distinguished Professor and Director of Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences; Director of COBRE

  • Annie Roe

    Associate Professor, Extension Specialist in Nutrition Education and Director of Eat Smart Idaho

Movement Sciences

  • Ann Frost

    Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor

Agriculture

  • Matt Powell

    Interim Associate Dean of Research and Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station

Health and Medical Professions

  • Chantal A. Vella

    Professor; Director, Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory

Biological Sciences

  • Onesmo Balemba

    Professor

Animal and Veterinary Sciences

  • Gwinyai Chibisa

    Associate Professor

  • Mark McGuire

    Distinguished Professor and Associate Director of COBRE

Fish and Wildlife Sciences

  • Brian Small

    Professor of Fish Physiology, Director of the Aquaculture Research Institute

M.S. and Ph.D. in water resources

Explore the world’s water issues. In this unique program, you will learn to collaborate effectively with peers in other fields and with key stakeholders and professionals to define, research and achieve creative and sustainable solutions to contemporary water problems. Earn an interdisciplinary master’s or doctoral degree in any of three emphasis areas: engineering and science; science and management; or law, management and policy. It is also possible to complete a concurrent M.S.-J.D. or Ph.D.-J.D. to double-count selected courses toward the requirements for both degrees.

Program director:
Timothy Link
Professor of Hydrology and Director of the Water Resources Graduate Program
tlink@uidaho.edu
208-885-9465


Water resources faculty advisors

The Water Resources Program brings together more than 70 faculty members representing seven colleges and 15 departments.

Biological Sciences

  • Jacob W. Bledsoe

    Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Aquaculture 

  • Jan U.H. Eitel

    Associate Professor

  • Melinda Ellison

    Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Range Livestock and Sheep

  • Matt Falcy

    Assistant Professor of Biometrics and Assistant Unit Leader, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

  • Tara Hudiburg

    Professor of Ecosystem Ecology

  • Tracey N. Johnson

    Director of Research, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch Associate Professor

  • Jason W. Karl

    Director of the U of I Rangeland Center, Professor of Rangeland Ecology, and Harold F. and Ruth M. Heady Endowed Chair of Rangeland Ecology

  • Zachary Kayler

    Associate Professor

  • Brian Kennedy

    Professor of Fishery Biology and Ecology

  • Dennis Scarnecchia

    Professor of Fisheries Science and Management

  • Brian Small

    Professor of Fish Physiology, Director of the Aquaculture Research Institute

  • Lee Vierling

    Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources and Society

  • Frank Wilhelm

    Professor of Limnology, Department Head, Associate Director, Center for Research on Invasive Species

  • Eric Winford

    Research Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Management, Associate Director of the Rangeland Center

Education

  • Karla Eitel

    Director, McCall Field Campus; Professor of Place-Based Environmental Education

  • Jim Ekins

    Area Extension Educator in Water Education

  • Brant G. Miller

    Professor

  • Mike "Woody" Wood

    IWRRI Operations and Outreach Coordinator

Law

  • Dylan Hedden-Nicely

    Professor of Law

  • Marie Kellner

    Assistant Clinical Professor of Law

  • Jerrold Long

    Professor of Law

  • Jessica Mckinlay

    Assistant Professor of Law

  • Richard Seamon

    Margaret Schimke Distinguished Professor of Law

Physical Sciences

  • Richard Allen

    Research Faculty

  • Timothy Bartholomaus

    Associate Professor

  • Emily Bedwell

    Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Irrigation Technology

  • Claudio Berti

    Director/State Geologist, IGS

  • Gianluca Blois

    Assistant Professor

  • Erin Brooks

    Professor

  • Randall Brooks

    Professor and Extension Specialist in Forestry 

  • Lide Chen

    Professor and Extension Specialist in Waste Management Engineering

  • Alexandra Clark

    Hydrogeologist

  • Erik R. Coats

    Sorenson Family Endowed Professor in Water Resources

  • Mario De Haro-Martí

    Extension Educator in Dairy and Livestock Environmental Education

  • Jerry P. Fairley

    Professor

  • Fritz Fiedler

    Professor

  • Paul Gessler

    Professor of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Ecology

  • Robert Heinse

    Department Head and Professor of Soil and Water Systems

  • Karen Humes

    Professor

  • Kendra Kaiser

    Director of Idaho Water Resources Research Institute and Assistant Professor

  • Meetpal Kukal

    Assistant Professor of Hydrologic Science and Water Management

  • Jeff Langman

    Associate Professor and Associate Chair

  • Johnny (Liujun) Li

    Assistant Professor

  • Timothy E. Link

    Professor of Hydrology; Director, Water Resources Graduate Program

  • Laurel Lynch

    Associate Professor

  • Robert Mahler

    Professor

  • Amin Mirkouei

    Associate Professor

  • James Moberly

    Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering

  • Greg Moller

    Professor

  • Angel Monsalve

    Assistant Professor

  • Russell Qualls

    Associate Professor and Idaho State Climatologist

  • Jae Hyeon Ryu

    Professor

  • Daniel Strawn

    Professor

  • Michael S. Strickland

    Professor

  • Clifford S. Swanson

    Assistant Professor

  • Daniele Tonina

    Professor, Co-Director, Center for Ecohydraulics Research

  • Andrew W. Tranmer

    Associate Research Professor

  • Margaret "Meg" Wolf

    IWRRI Assistant Director

  • Elowyn Yager

    Professor, Co-Director, Center for Ecohydraulics Research

  • Meng Zhao

    Assistant Professor

Social Sciences

  • Lilian Alessa

    Professor of Environmental Design, Co-Director of the Center for Resilient Communities

  • Dianne Baumann

    Associate Professor of Anthropology

  • Mary Engels

    Assistant Professor

  • Kristin Haltinner

    Professor of Sociology

  • Lorie Higgins

    Professor and Extension Specialist in Sociology

  • Katherine Himes

    Director

  • Leontina Hormel

    Professor of Sociology

  • Alyssa Kreikemeier

    Assistant Professor of History

  • Felix Liao

    Associate Professor

  • Alexander Maas

    Associate Professor

  • Travis Paveglio

    Professor of Natural Resource Sociology 

  • Dilshani Sarathchandra

    Associate Professor of Sociology

  • Manoj K. Shrestha

    Professor of Political Science and Public Administration

  • Shanny Spang Gion

    Assistant Professor of Tribal Water

  • Philip Stevens

    Associate Professor of Anthropology, Director of American Indian Studies

  • Patrick Wilson

    Associate Professor of Natural Resource Policy

Planning and Design

  • Andrew Kliskey

    President’s Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Resilient Communities, Idaho EPSCoR Director

  • Erich Seamon

    Adjunct Faculty of Environmental Design

  • Jaap Vos

    Professor of Planning and Natural Resources; Director of the Environmental Science Program; Department Head

Interdisciplinary programs FAQs

How are graduate students in interdisciplinary programs funded?

Graduate students are typically funded through a combination of research assistantships (RAs), teaching assistantships (TAs), hourly temporary help (TH) positions, scholarships, outside employment (e.g. agency, private, non-governmental organization or other), student loans or personal sources.

Graduate student funding is provided directly by faculty advisors. Prospective students should contact potential major professors directly to develop a dialogue regarding mutual research interests prior to applying. These discussions frequently occur both before and after applications have been received and are critical to determine whether professors have the capacity to integrate new students into their research group and explore potential funding options. This information also helps the admissions committee direct applications to the most appropriate faculty members for review.

Do I have to secure a supervisor before I can be considered for the program?

Students are generally not accepted into the program (thesis option) without a faculty advisor. It is critical to develop a dialogue with potential mentors during the application process. Students are commonly accepted into the non-thesis option without an advisor with the expectation that they will secure an advisor during their first semester.

What are the admission requirements for interdisciplinary graduate programs?

Please find your degree of interest in U of I’s Degree Finder and check under the application information section for the most current information.

Visit graduate studies Degree Finder.

Is the GRE required for admission to an interdisciplinary graduate program?

No. We do not require the GRE. We do encourage applicants to submit GRE scores if they have them, since it will help the admissions committee to issue a final decision.

Can applicants without an M.S. apply directly to one of the Ph.D. interdisciplinary option areas?

Yes, although we typically advise applicants with only an undergraduate degree to complete an M.S. prior to pursuing a Ph.D. The process to switch from an M.S. to a Ph.D. program is simple and can easily be done with a major professor’s approval. If you do not have a master's degree and want to apply for the doctoral program, it is strongly recommended that you discuss this with potential mentors prior to applying in order to increase the chance of acceptance.

When is the priority deadline for applicants who would like to be considered for funding in Spring or Fall semesters during 2026?

Review dates and deadlines for graduate admissions.

Although there are priority application dates, we continue to review and accept applications year-round since the timing of funding is typically not aligned with the academic calendar. Many faculty will also accept and start students in their program in the middle of a semester or during the summer session. Non-standard start dates should be discussed directly with faculty advisors.

Is there an application fee waiver for those interested in interdisciplinary graduate programs?

Generally not, but if a faculty member indicates that they are likely to accept a student who they have been interacting with, we will arrange an application fee waiver.

Are students from specific countries exempt from providing language proficiency test results?
What is required to demonstrate English language proficiency for those interested in interdisciplinary graduate programs?
Are there ways to be admitted to an interdisciplinary graduate program if I don’t meet all the admissions requirements?

Yes. Students may be admitted provisionally and will gain full admission status after specific provisions (e.g. language proficiency requirements) have been met. Applicants lacking programmatic entry requirements may be admitted provisionally or may be admitted with the explicit understanding that they will address any academic deficiencies during their graduate program. Questions regarding programmatic entry deficiencies should be discussed with the potential advisor or program director.

What support does University of Idaho offer for international students looking to study in an interdisciplinary graduate program?

We greatly value international students and provide support programs to ensure success in their academic programs and careers. Review the International Admissions webpage for specific information.