Explore Multidisciplinary Science Degrees
- Are you interested in using scientific knowledge to empower decision-making in our communities?
- Do you like more than one scientific discipline (e.g., Physics AND Biology)?
- Are you looking for different kinds of stem-related careers?
The Multidisciplinary Science Bachelor of Art Degree, housed in the Science Education Department, allows students to focus on two science fields in depth so that they can combine these areas into an array of future careers.
By developing broad scientific literacy and cross-disciplinary thinking, students learn to collaborate effectively with specialists from various domains. This adaptability is especially valuable in today's fast-evolving job market. If you're interested in connecting ideas across fields, solving systems-level problems, or pursuing roles that benefit from diverse expertise, the multidisciplinary science degree is an excellent fit.
Flexible Focus, Endless Combinations
Here are some example pathways that you can pursue with the Multidisciplinary Science Bachelor of Arts Degree, based on some example career goals. This degree is flexible by design, so these examples are only meant to show what is possible.
Science Teaching
Middle School and/or High School
Teachers in the U.S. rate their lives better than all other occupation groups, trailing only physicians. Science teacher salaries on average are $80,000 in California (indeed.com). Get the Facts Out reported that most teaching jobs have better retirement benefits compared to other STEM professions and that there are many student loan forgiveness programs and scholarships for teachers.
Want to teach abroad? Science teachers are in demand almost anywhere in the U.S. and overseas. Consider that behind every advance in medicine or technology is a teacher who left a lasting impression.
Why Multidisciplinary Science is a Good Fit
- Breadth of Knowledge: A multidisciplinary program typically covers biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and sometimes math, giving you the versatility to teach multiple subjects, something schools often value increasing one's marketability.
- Pedagogical Flexibility: Having a wide scientific background makes it easier to design interdisciplinary lessons and connect concepts across fields (e.g., linking chemistry and biology in biochemistry). In California, teachers are often expected to embed earth science into other areas such a biology, chemistry or physics.
- Employability: Teachers certified in more than one subject area are often in higher demand, especially in smaller schools.
Prepare with Our Program
Prepare to become a confident, credentialed science teacher through CSULB's dynamic Science Education program. Combining strong content knowledge, research-based pedagogy, and real classroom experience, this program equips future educators to teach science effectively in diverse, modern classrooms.
- Comprehensive Content Preparation: Fulfill requirements for foundational science (grades K–8) and specialize in two areas—biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science—for single-subject teaching in grades 7–12.
- Evidence-Based Teaching: Learn proven strategies like inquiry-based and student-centered instruction to foster scientific thinking and deeper student understanding.
- Real-World Experience: Gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and student teaching in local schools, guided by experienced mentor teachers.
- Technology Integration: Prepare to use modern tools in your classroom, including simulations, virtual labs, and digital science resources.
- Culturally Responsive Teaching: Develop inclusive teaching practices that connect science to students' backgrounds and promote equity in STEM.
- Supportive Community: Join a network of passionate educators, faculty mentors, and student groups that support your growth from day one.
- Credential-Ready Pathway: Streamline your journey to becoming a credentialed teacher. CSULB's program is aligned with California's licensure requirements and builds credential components into your coursework.
Pre-Law
Are you interested in law and science? Lawyers who specialize in scientific fields are some of the highest paid lawyers in the nation. A science degree, particularly in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), is an excellent foundation for a legal career, opening doors to specialized areas of practice where scientific knowledge is a distinct need.
The multidisciplinary science degree program has forged partnerships with UCLA Law, Loyola Law School and UCI Law allowing our students to have access to information, scholarships, and LSAT preparation.
Why Multidisciplinary Science is a Good Fit
- Scientific Literacy: Law dealing with patents, biotechnology, forensics, or environmental regulation requires the ability to understand and interpret technical material. A multidisciplinary degree equips you with the vocabulary and conceptual frameworks across different sciences.
- Standing Out from the Crowd: Law school admissions committees often favor applicants with STEM backgrounds, as they bring a unique perspective and skillset to the legal field.
- Analytical Training: The scientific method fosters precision, logical reasoning, and evidence-based argumentation, skills that are directly applicable to legal reasoning.
- Flexibility for Specialization and Employability: Lawyers with science backgrounds receive high pay and are in great demand with areas such as environmental, energy, health and safety, forensic, and patent law. With multidisciplinary science, if you later decide to focus on a niche (e.g., patent law for medical devices), you won't be limited to only one science background.
Prepare with Our Program
Our Pre-Law Pathway of Multidisciplinary Science Degree program will prepare you for the following aspects:
- Obtaining transferable skills necessary for law including analytical thinking, research skills, communication abilities, and problem-solving skills for you to discuss in your law school application.
- Content preparation aligned with required science law field requirements (energy, environment, patent, etc.).
- Connections to Legal Studies at CSULB with information sessions.
- Preparation and practice with skills and content needed for the LSAT: While not requiring scientific knowledge, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) tests skills such as reading comprehension, writing, and logical reasoning.
- The value of your GPA: demonstrating a strong GPA in challenging courses demonstrates commitment and ability in a future law career.
Ultimately, a science degree can be a powerful tool for building a successful and impactful legal career, especially in areas where the intersection of science and law is increasingly important.
Science Writing / Journalism
Are you someone who is curious about how the world works and a drive to explore new discoveries? Are you committed to truthful and ethical reporting of science? Do you find it enjoyable to learn about rapidly evolving topics or shifting between disciplines. Perhaps you would like to develop the ability to tell compelling stories or frame topics in novel and accessible ways for non-scientists to understand. These are all characteristics of an excellent science writer.
If you are pursuing a career in science writing, the Multidisciplinary Science Degree program provides an excellent foundation for writing about science in a variety of areas. Some possibilities include:
- freelance writer
- journalist
- science grant writer or communicator in academia
- science policy analyst/writer
- public health communicator
- science advocacy writer for companies or non-profits
- medical or technical writer
- content marketing for science/tech companies
- popular science author
- podcast producer
Why Multidisciplinary Science is a Good Fit
- Wide-ranging expertise: Journalists often need to write about diverse topics (from climate change to new cancer treatments). A broad degree helps you grasp the fundamentals quickly and translate them for general audiences.
- Interdisciplinary perspective: You’re trained to see connections between different fields, which can make your writing more insightful and appealing.
- Credibility: Editors and readers alike value journalists who can accurately interpret and communicate scientific studies across disciplines.
Prepare with Our Program
This program prepares you for a career as a science writer combining a solid understanding of science with strong communication skills to make complex topics accessible and engaging for various audiences. Key areas of development include:
Core Knowledge
Areas of scientific literacy, writing and editing skills, and communication techniques:
- A firm grounding in one or more scientific disciplines (e.g., biology, physics, environmental science) is desired with the ability to understand and interpret scientific research, methods, and data. This degree provides the opportunity to continue in graduate school as some science writers have advanced degrees (M.Sc., Ph.D.), especially for technical or academic audiences.
- Clear, concise, and engaging writing tailored to non-specialist or specialist readers are necessary along with excellent grammar, structure, and storytelling ability. You will have the opportunity to learn journalistic styles (e.g., AP style) and academic writing conventions.
- Science writers simplify complex ideas without distorting accuracy. They use metaphors, analogies, and narrative hooks to maintain reader interest. Additionally, science writers understand specific audience needs (e.g., general public, policymakers, educators).
Practical Skills
Research skills, interviewing, and digital tool use:
- Proficient at locating and evaluating primary sources (e.g., journal articles, interviews with experts).
- Ability to fact-check and interpret data critically.
- Comfort talking to scientists, asking insightful questions, and translating technical language into lay terms.
- Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress), citation tools, SEO, social media, and data visualization.
- Some roles may involve multimedia work: podcasts, videos, infographics.
Other Career Options
There are many other careers that can benefit from specialization in multiple science fields. You can explore those ideas with an advisor: mdsc@csulb.edu.
In some careers, you may need further specialization (e.g., a postgraduate teaching qualification, law school, or a master's in journalism), but the multidisciplinary degree gives you a strong, flexible platform to launch from.
Questions
For more information about the Multidisciplinary Science Degree program, please reach out to mdsc@csulb.edu.
