Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Science

About

Today’s college graduates with traditional discipline-oriented backgrounds are often discovering that their jobs bridge more than one area of specialization. RPI’s Ph.D. program in Multidisciplinary Science (MDSC) focuses on helping graduates perform more effectively in multidisciplinary environments. Students in the MSDC program interact with faculty representing a variety of disciplines. They also participate in interdisciplinary research that crosses at least two science disciplines, or at least one in Science and one or more in Engineering, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Architecture or Management. Students interested in pursuing such a multidisciplinary graduate program must follow RPI’s standard graduate admission guidelines. In addition, the student must demonstrate that there has been previous contact with a faculty member or multiple faculty members at RPI concerning the proposed multidisciplinary research and that financial support is available before admission. With the help of the faculty member who is to be the principal research adviser, the student should prepare a preliminary research proposal that clearly indicates why this research is suited for the multidisciplinary program instead of another graduate program.

Career Path

Career path includes Research Scientist (Interdisciplinary Projects), Laboratory Manager (Multidisciplinary Focus), Scientific Program Manager, Applied Science Consultant, Innovation Research Analyst, Technology Transfer Officer, R&D Specialist (Biotech, Materials, Energy), Data Analyst (Scientific Applications), Systems Modeler, Scientific Software Developer, Bioinformatics Analyst, Environmental Data Scientist, Biomedical Researcher, Public Health Analyst, Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Consultant, University Lecturer (Interdisciplinary Science), Curriculum Developer (STEM Integration), Science Communicator, Research Fellow (Multidisciplinary Focus), Agricultural Innovation Specialist, Climate Policy Advisor.