INTS 3300 Discussion 1 Lesson 1

What disciplines are you interested in? How much do you already know about them? How do you know these things? What are your areas of concentration for your degree in University Studies? Have you taken a theory course in any of your areas of concentration yet? Have you taken any research methods courses in a specific discipline? Please discuss how your areas of concentration might provide a perspective in the study of your problem.

Most of the disciplines that are of interest to me are mainly in the “Applied and

Professional Fields” such as business, engineering, and law. I have some knowledge and

background in engineering as that was my major when I was a traditional student at Tech. I

spent three years in the petroleum engineering department taking various courses. I spent one

summer as an intern for an oil company observing and participating in various engineering

applications. I have taken several courses in personal financial planning, which fall under the

business discipline, as well as spending many years working in my family’s business. The

courses that I have taken in human resource and development have given me some great insight

into what a managers role is, and different techniques that I can apply in the future. I have not

had the chance to learn very much about business law, however, I am looking forward to

learning more and I plan on taking some business law courses at Tech.

I also have an interest in the natural sciences discipline. While in the engineering

department, I took several courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. My full time job is a

professional pilot which requires knowledge of the natural science discipline such as how and

why airplanes fly. I also get to teach this to students who are learning to be professional pilots as

well.

My areas of concentration are personal financial planning, human resource development,

and organizational leadership. I have not yet taken any theory classes that pertain to my three

areas of concentration, yet I have had the opportunity to take a couple of theory classes while

INTS 3300 Discussion 1 Lesson 1

studying petroleum engineering. I have taken a few research classes while in the petroleum

department as well. I remember that one class was almost entirely dedicated to researching a

problem and coming up with a solution.

I have not yet decided on a problem to study. However, I believe that with my wide array

of knowledge in business, engineering, and the natural sciences, along with my knowledge of

other certain disciplines, gives me a great foundation to build upon to help me take an

interdisciplinary approach to solving a complex problem.