The Science-Business Major, an interdisciplinary program that includes curricular aspects of both the Mendoza College of Business and College of Science, will not be available to those who have not yet committed to starting their major in Fall 2023.

Interdisciplinary majors are intended to help students gain from studying at one or more of Notre Dame’s six universities. The Science Business major has been offered by the university for almost 40 years, preparing students for careers in healthcare while delving into the world of business.

The majors were intended to qualify students to participate in MBA programs as well as educate medical professionals such as medical school, dental school, public health, or medical administration. The curriculum of the major was diverse and students were able to fully experience interdisciplinary research.

“This major serves a group of students seeking careers in fields related to STEM, such as consulting, the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industry, and healthcare administration. It is also useful for professional students looking to gain valuable expertise in the business of running a laboratory,” said Dan Geselter, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, in an email. of science business graduates go on to law school, graduate school and non-profit sectors, go on to careers directly in industry, and build their own businesses.”

John Nash, a third-year science business major, said the program served his interests in both areas.

“I really liked the majors. I think it’s a really good combination of two things that I really care about,” Nash said. “And I always feel that taking interdisciplinary courses is a good thing, so I wanted to gain experience in both.”

Instead, the College of Business will offer five secondary courses on business fundamentals, open to undergraduate students. Minors provide students with a basic education in business while enabling them to pursue careers in healthcare.

“The Science and Business major provides an excellent education in the fundamentals of business, but reorganizing it as an Elementary Science major and a new minor will allow students with a primary interest in one of the major scientific disciplines to access this education. will be more widely available,” said Gesserter. said in an email.

Nash said he doesn’t think minors develop the same sense of community as the Major.

“There are no kid-friendly courses in science business. I’ve taken science classes and I’ve taken business classes, so I understand where they’re coming from,” Nash said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily very different, but it’s nice to meet other kids in the science business program and see that we all have similar interests. I think there will be no community.”

Geltzer said the change solves the program administration challenges between universities.

“It’s always difficult to rely on two different universities to provide the classes you need for your major,” Gezelter said in an email. “The University of Business wants to oversee its own academic his program and its own classes, and it wants to offer distinct qualifications to students at the University of Notre Dame.”

Gezelter said the program’s interdisciplinary employment potential extends beyond majors.

“Science and business names have helped recruiters find students with extensive interdisciplinary training in science and a solid foundation in business,” Geselter said in an email. “Future classes may lose that hiring advantage, but top-notch training in science and business remains for students who combine one of the new minors with a major in science.”

Nash said he was able to advance his career through a science business major.

“I’m actually interning next summer at DaVita Healthcare, a healthcare consulting company that does kidney care,” said Nash. “And they thought that my major, Science Business, was very unique to them, not something many other colleges offered, and that I was really working on everything in their company. I said it really stood out.”

While science business majors in school once knew they were unlikely to return to Notre Dame, Geselter said there was hope for a new major with similar beliefs.

“Once I get approval to end the major, I am unlikely to come back,” Geselter said in an email. “The Office of the Dean of Science is currently exploring options for new interdisciplinary science majors that share many of the strengths of the Science Business major.”

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