Study in America
Brief Descriptions of Each Field of Study
Individual and family development studies. The study of the developmental and behavioral characteristics of the individual, within the context of the family, from infancy through old age.

Industrial and/or manufacturing en

gineering. Prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and operational evaluation of integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including efficiency engineering, logistics and material flow, industrial quality control, automation, and cost analysis.

Industrial and organizat

ional psychology. The study of individual and group behavior in organizational settings. Includes instruction in group behavior and organizational theory, reward/punishment structures, human-machine interactions, motivation dynamics, and job testing and assessment.

Industrial design. Prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to communicate information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of media, prototype construction, and product structure and performance criteria.

Industrial equipment maintenance and repair. Prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to maintain and repair industrial machinery and equipment, such as cranes, pumps, engines and motors, conveyor systems, and production machinery.

Industrial production technologies. Prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using industrial manufacturing systems and processes. Includes instruction in design and prototype testing, instrument calibration, and diagnosis and repair.

Information processing/data entry technician. Prepares individuals to support business information operations by using computer equipment to enter, process, and retrieve data for a wide variety of administrative purposes. Includes instruction in using basic business software and hardware, business computer networking, and principles of desktop publishing.

Information sciences and systems. The study and development of electronic systems for transmitting information via signalling networks and of information transmission from the point of generation to reception and interpretation. Includes instruction in information systems design and provider capacity and requirements analysis.

Inorganic chemistry. The scientific study of the elements and their compounds, other than the hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Includes instruction in the characterization and synthesis of noncarbon molecules, including structure and bonding, conductivity, and reactive properties; and research techniques such as spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoelectron analysis.

Institutional food production. Prepares individuals to manage and supervise institutional food service operations, including school food and other government-regulated food services. Includes instruction in management, purchasing and storage, food preparation, diet and menu planning, and sanitation and safety.

Insurance and risk management. Prepares individuals to manage risk in organizational settings and to provide risk-aversion services to businesses and individuals. Includes instruction in risk theory, casualty insurance and general liability, property insurance, employee benefits, social and health insurance, loss adjustment, underwriting, and pension planning.

Insurance marketing. Prepares individuals in marketing techniques specifically applicable to the insurance industry.

Interior architecture. Study of the practice of interior architecture-the processes and techniques of designing living, work, and leisure indoor environments. Includes instruction in building design and structural systems, heating and cooling systems, safety and health standards, and interior design principles.

Interior design. Prepares individuals to apply artistic principles and techniques to the planning, designing, equipping, and furnishing of residential and commercial interior spaces. Includes instruction in drafting, principles of interior lighting and acoustics, furniture and furnishings, textiles, and building codes.

Intermedia. Prepares individuals to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions in either two or three dimensions, through simultaneous use of a variety of materials and media.

International agriculture. The application of agricultural principles to problems of global food production and distribution and to the study of the agricultural systems of other nations.

International and comparative education. The study of educational practices and institutions within different societies from a comparative perspective and of international educational issues. Includes instruction in comparative research methods, cross-national studies of learning and teaching styles, and international education policy and development.

International business. Prepares individuals to manage international business operations. Includes instruction in the principles and processes of export sales, trade controls, monetary issues, and international business policy.

International business marketing. Prepares individuals in marketing techniques for enterprises engaged in exporting or importing goods and services in world markets. Includes instruction in international trade controls, foreign trade operations, locating markets, negotiation practices, and monetary issues.

International finance. Prepares individuals to manage international financial operations and related currency transactions. Includes instruction in international banking, international monetary and financial policy, money and capital markets, foreign exchange, risk analysis, and international cash flow operations.

International relations. The study of international politics and institutions and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Includes instruction in international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, national security and strategic studies, international law, and the comparative study of specific countries and regions.

International studies. Multi- and interdisciplinary program that examines peoples, events, movements, institutions, societies, cultures, issues. Includes instruction in history; international economics, law, and politics; foreign languages; sociology; anthropology; and political geography.

Investments and securities. Prepares individuals to manage assets placed in capital markets and to understand related technical operations. Includes instruction in security analysis, debt and equity analysis, investment strategies, securities markets, computer- assisted research, portfolio management and performance analysis, and applications to specific investment problems and business situations.

Islamic studies. The study of the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the Islamic peoples.

Italian. The study of the language, literature, and culture of Italian-speaking peoples, including dialects and related languages, such as Sicilian, Friulian, and Sardinian.