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.

Interdisciplinary studies (M.A.)
Interdisciplinary studies (M.S.)

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

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.

Apply today

Begin your U of I graduate journey.

Start your application

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.

Bioinformatics and computational biology (M.S.)
Bioinformatics and computational biology (Ph.D.)

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

Need more information?

Find admission requirements for graduate students.

Visit Graduate Admissions

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

Director and Professor 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 Vanleuven

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.

Environmental science (M.S.)
Environmental science (Ph.D.)

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

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

Assistant 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, Assistant 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 Remote Sensing

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.  

Nutritional sciences (Ph.D.)

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

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

Director and Professor 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.

Water resources | Engineering and science option (M.S.)
Water resources | Engineering and science option (Ph.D.)
Water resources | Engineering and science option (M.S.)
Water resources | Law, management and policy option (M.S.)
Water resources | Law, management and policy option (Ph.D.)
Water resources | Water resources, science and management option (M.S.)
Water resources | Water resources, science and management option (Ph.D.)

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

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

Assistant 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, McClure Center

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.