IDEAS: The Interdisciplinary Major

At Duke, you can design your own engineering major. We call it IDEAS.

Through the Interdisciplinary Engineering & Applied Science program, you’ll explore ideas and topics beyond what’s covered in our five departmental engineering majors. Choose a pre-approved template or propose your own.

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How to Create an IDEAS Proposal

1. Review Handbook

Learn how to create a great proposal and understand policies and procedures.

2. Consult with Advisor

You’re responsible for identifying your faculty advisor, unless you select a pre-approved template.

3. Submit Application

This will include a personal statement and your proposed course schedule.

Important Details

When to Apply

Typically during your Second Year. You may apply as early as the second semester of First Year, but not after Third Year begins.

About Accreditation

IDEAS majors are not specifically ABET accredited, but do satisfy national general engineering accreditation criteria.

IDEAS Toolbox

General IDEAS Handbook

This document contains all the policy and procedure details you’ll need to learn how to design and propose your IDEAS major.

Download Handbook

Your Faculty Advisor

If you’re designing a general IDEAS plan, this person can be, but doesn’t have to be, your academic advisor. Review faculty profiles to find someone who’s working in your area of interest.

Browse Profiles

The Application

Use this template to prepare and submit your proposal.

Download Application

Request for Course Substitution

Use this form to request a course substitution if you would like to make a modification to your approved IDEAS major curriculum, in accordance with the IDEAS Major Course Substitution policy found in the IDEAS Major Handbook.

NOTE: Course substitutions should be requested and approved in advance of enrolling in the course. Retroactive requests will not necessarily be approved.

Submit request for course substitution

General IDEAS Contact

Pre-Approved IDEAS Templates

To select this option, download the pre-approved course plan and contact the faculty advisor listed. Then complete the other parts of the IDEAS application.

Risk, Data & Financial Engineering

Focus your studies on risk and resilience engineering, data science, and machine learning—with a culminating engineering design experience. The faculty advisor for this IDEAS major is Mark Borsuk.

Download Course Plan
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