Learning to integrate knowledge
At Université Laval, interdisciplinary education involves synthesizing and integrating knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines. It is based on collaborative work, promoting the development of new perspectives and a broader understanding of complex issues.
Training to unravel complexity
Interdisciplinary programs are generally structured around an overarching theme. They rely on active teaching methods that foster interaction between disciplines and stimulate intellectual creativity.
By developing the ability to think and act in an interdisciplinary manner, these programs help cultivate a new generation of open-minded, critically thinking and adaptable leaders, ready to tackle the major challenges of our time.
Initiatives
Interdisciplinarity is expressed in different ways in academic studies. It can take the form of a one-time educational activity, a course, or even be implemented across an entire program.
Discover a selection of educational initiatives that help advance interdisciplinarity in higher education.
Interdisciplinary programs addressing major societal challenges
Co-designed around major societal challenges, these programs foster collective learning, critical thinking, reflexivity and agency, while promoting the development of interdisciplinary skills.
- Bachelor’s in Sustainable Regional Development
- Master’s in International Studies – International Trade and Investment, International Development, Diplomacy, International Security
- Master’s in International Studies – with thesis
- Ph.D. in International Studies
- Individualized Master’s in Climate Action
- Individualized Master’s in Food Security
- Graduate Microprogram in Sustainable Health and Climate Change
Interdisciplinary programs focused on fundamental research
Designed and supervised by experts from various disciplines, these programs promote integration — both in coursework and research activities — within the context of fundamental research focused on discovery.
Programs covering interdisciplinary fields of study
These programs offer a comprehensive perspective on one or more structured fields of knowledge or on a professional field of practice that requires an interdisciplinary approach, through curriculum that includes courses from various disciplines. Knowledge from different disciplines is integrated on an ad hoc basis through projects, internships, research activities, or integrative courses.
Customized multi- or interdisciplinary programs
Students can design a program tailored to their educational goals. At the undergraduate level, the multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree allows students to combine degrees from different disciplines around a unifying theme. At the graduate level, customized master’s or doctoral programs offer the opportunity to design an interdisciplinary program tailored to a unique research project.
- Multidisciplinary Bachelor’s (in French only)
- Individualized graduate programs
Introductory courses in interdisciplinary research methodology
These courses allow students to acquire technical and cross-disciplinary skills specific to interdisciplinary research, or to become familiar with methodologies used in various disciplines.
Summer schools
Summer schools offer an intensive immersion experience focused on a specific topic explored from various disciplinary perspectives. Whether or not they offer academic credit, they encourage experimentation, collaboration, and hands-on learning in a dynamic and applied environment.
Discover ULaval’s summer schools (in French only)
Continuing Education
One-time training opportunities, offering academic credit or not, designed to help participants acquire technical or cross-functional skills in an interdisciplinary context.
Support for the development of interdisciplinary curriculum
In collaboration with the Teaching Support Service (in French only), the Office of Program Quality (in French only), and faculty academic advisors, the Unit for Interdisciplinarity and Impact offers personalized support to faculty members who wish to design or enhance interdisciplinary curriculum.
Contact us at interdisciplinarite-impact@ulaval.ca to discuss your projects.