A Harvard University professor will discuss the flip side of intelligence during his visit to campus this week.

Rather than focusing on how smart people are, the professor will focus on how it is that people are smart.

Howard Gardner, professor in cognition and education at Harvard, will present “Art, Science and Interdisciplinary Thought” at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Stephens Auditorium.

“[Gardner] is different from other scholars who just look at brain development,” said Margaret Torrie, associate professor of human development and family studies. “He’s interested in looking at implications of scholarship and research for teaching and learning.”

Gardner said he is a critic of the theory that only a single human intelligence measurement exists, Torrie said.

“Smart can be something other than your IQ,” she said. “Smart is being able to rap. Smart is being able to play an instrument. Smart is being able to play basketball.”

Suzanne Hendrich, associate dean of family and consumer sciences and food science and human nutrition, said she agrees there many other dimensions to intelligence than IQ.

“[IQ] is not a major thing that will make or break someone’s life,” she said. “How well you’re able to read others, interact [and] your intellectual state are all important to having an optimal life.”

Gardner will also be discussing interdisciplinary work at his lecture.

“Almost everyone in the universe speaks highly of interdisciplinary work,” he said. “To master more than one discipline is hard.”

Gardner said interdisciplinary work is essential.

“Poverty, AIDS and terrorism can’t by overcome by one skill,” he said.

Gardner is the author of 18 books, which have been translated into 21 languages and several hundred articles.

Gardner said he has never visited Iowa State to speak before.

“I joke that the I’m the only person to come to Iowa in January who isn’t running for president,” he said.