Davidson faculty members have designed a number of interdisciplinary majors that are not offered by a regular department but may be available through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS). As of summer 2013, the following six are in the works: Arab Studies, Chinese Studies, Comparative Literature, Neuroscience, Public Health, and Russian Studies. See draft proposals (not yet official) here. Faculty members may propose other new interdisciplinary majors in the future.

All CIS majors require a two-semester senior thesis, so these majors are appropriate for capable, highly motivated students with a passion for studying a topic, issue, scientific problem, region, historical era, or genre from various disciplinary perspectives.

Students must apply to become a Center major. There is no guarantee that a student can major through the CIS. Applicants must show that the necessary courses will be available; they must find two willing and available thesis advisors; they must propose, however tentatively, a workable research project that will lead to a thesis. See detailed proposal guidelines here.