What are interdisciplinary sciences?
Interdisciplinarity or interdisciplinary sciences is the combination of different scientific disciplines to tackle some of the world's most pressing issues. Interdisciplinary sciences combine courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, maths, computer science and psychology.
Interdisciplinary science is also when the principles and methodologies from different science subjects are used to contribute to a research project. It could be either one researcher working on their own and combining different disciplines or multiple researchers from different disciplines each contributing their expertise.
It is important not to confuse interdisciplinary sciences with interdisciplinary studies. Interdisciplinary studies is the combination of a range of different disciplines across the sciences, arts, humanities, maths and social sciences.
What is interdisciplinary research?
Interdisciplinary research is when knowledge and expertise from different subjects are brought together to conduct a research project. It could be either a team of researchers from different disciplines all contributing their knowledge or a single researcher bringing different disciplines together.
Each discipline will be drawn upon to contribute towards tackling the question or issue posed in the research project.
Why is interdisciplinary research important?
Interdisciplinary research is important as it can help to break through academic disciplines and can lead to scientific breakthroughs and discoveries.
It can provide different angles to tackle problems as they can be looked at through the lens of different schools of thought, which can help to find new solutions to the issues posed in the research project.
What is an example of interdisciplinary science?
There are many difference examples of interdisciplinary science.
One example is materials science which combines elements of physics, chemistry and biology. Sports science is another example of an interdisciplinary science programme as it combines biology along with psychology and medicine.
Other examples are environmental science, public health, women’s studies, cognitive science and many others.
Is psychology an interdisciplinary science?
Yes, psychology is considered an interdisciplinary science. Psychology covers biology, as it explores the biological aspects of behaviour and cognition. It also includes maths through the analysis of data and social sciences.
Psychology is also often referred to as a “hub science” as it combines many different disciplines.
Cross-disciplinary vs interdisciplinary
Cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary are terms that can both be used to describe research and courses that span across different disciplines.
Cross-disciplinary usually refers to activities that overlap different disciplines but have a shared subject in basis.
Interdisciplinary usually refers to activities that blend principles and frameworks from multiple disciplines.
Where can you study interdisciplinary science?
Many universities offer interdisciplinary science programmes or the opportunity to join interdisciplinary research projects. While a science or technology university such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or the California Institute of Technology will have a good range of interdisciplinary science opportunities, many other general universities will also provide the opportunity to study interdisciplinary sciences.
Times Higher Education, in association with Schmidt Science Fellows, has released its first Interdisciplinary Science Ranking, which considers scientific collaboration and excellence between universities.
While India is the most represented country in the ranking with 65 universities in total, the United States is the most represented country in the top 10 with seven universities. The top university in the ranking is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
You can view the full Interdisciplinary Science Ranking here, and the methodology here.
There are 749 universities from 92 countries and territories in the ranking, including Japan, Pakistan, Mexico, Nigeria and Malaysia.
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