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STP Academic Courses
STP students will take one course from the following subject areas: Biology, Computer and Information Sciences, History, Mathematics, or Writing & Rhetoric.
Each course (except Biology, which has a daily three-hour lab) meets four and one-half hours each day, to include two and one-half hours in a traditional classroom format and two hours in a tutorial session.
Afternoon tutorial sessions are designed to offer students alternative educational approaches to reinforce concepts and skills covered in the morning sessions. They afford instructors the opportunity to use active learning techniques, time to work with students individually or in small groups, and the ability to take students on field trips. Rather than be passive recipients of information, students will be expected to participate enthusiastically in their education.
Students cannot be guaranteed their first choice, but efforts will be made to place students in the course they select. Students will be placed in courses on a first-come first-serve basis.
The course really helped, because it took one course off my schedule, so it gives me more time to focus on other classes that I have. Along with that, the fitness, even though it was very relaxed, it still helped, like getting used to the VMI Fitness Test and all the other components that we have to do as rats.
Anticipated Courses, 2025
Department: Biology
Course: BI-101: General Biology I (4 credit hours)
Description: Lecture material will be derived from the concepts presented in the text. BI-101 will focus upon basic biochemistry and the structure and function of the principle biomolecules; cell structure and function, membrane characteristics and the transport of material across the cell membrane; cell division including the process of fission, mitosis, and meiosis; the structure of DNA and the process of protein synthesis; basic Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics.
Laboratory topics will complement lecture material as well as include use of the scientific method activities as a means of reinforcing lecture material and preparing for an original research project to be conducted at the end of BI-102.
Target Audience: This course is not open to those intending to major in biology. It fulfills a science general education requirements for other academic majors.
Department: History
Course: HI-103: World History I (3 credit hours)
Description: A study of the world’s major civilizations prior to 1500, concentrating on their primary values and institutions, and their cultural contacts. Particular attention devoted to the Middle East, China, India, the Mediterranean world, and Western Europe.
Target Audience: HI-103 is appropriate for students in all majors. It is a required course for those majoring in history.
Department: Applied Mathematics
Course: MA-101: Math That Matters I (3 credit hours)
Description: In MA-101, cadets will learn mathematical concepts from statistics, including data analysis, regression, probability, sampling, statistical significance, and hypothetical testing.
Target Audience: MA-101 is a required course for those majoring in biology, economics & business, English, history, international studies, modern languages, psychology, and the computer science information technology track.
Department: Applied Mathematics
Course: MA-114: Pre-Calculus Mathematics (3 credit hours)
Description: Equations and inequalities; functions and their graphs; polynomial and rational functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric functions.
Target Audience: This course is only offered on a pass/fail basis, does not fulfill a mathematics requirement, and cannot be used as elective credit. It is intended to...
Department: Applied Mathematics
Course: MA-123: Calculus and Analytical Geometry I (3 credit hours)
Description: A study of plane analytic geometry with single variable differential calculus. Limits, derivatives, applications of derivatives, and derivatives of transcendental functions. Prerequisite: MA-114, or scored sufficiently high on the Math placement test, or have permission from the Department Head of the Applied Mathematics Department.
Target Audience: MA-123 is a required course for those majoring in chemistry, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, applied mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics, and the computer and information science cybersecurity and theory & application tracks.
Department: English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies
Course: ERH-101: Writing & Rhetoric I (3 credit hours)
Description: This course introduces the essential principles of rhetoric, develops cadets' ability to analyze complex texts rhetorically, and refines their writing strategies, paying special attention to their critical reflection on their writing processes. Such essential practices as invention, arrangement, and revision will be emphasized in their writing of expository essays. Minimum grade of C required.
Target Audience: Students cannot take this course if they have already taken EN-101 or WR-101. ERH-101 is appropriate for students in all majors.
Department: Computer and Information Sciences
Course: CIS-101: Introduction to Computer Science I (3 credit hours)
Description: An overview of the field of computer science and the scope of the Computer Science program. The course provides exposure and foundation to appreciate the relevance and interrelationships of future courses in the CS program. Topics include history of computer, number systems, computer architecture, operating systems, computer networks, security, algorithms, databases, programming languages, software development life cycle, applications, and ethics and professionalism in computer science.
Audience: This course is open to those intending to major in any of the computer and information sciences tracks.
All courses taken by a cadet and grades earned in the VMI Summer Session and the VMI Summer Transition Program will be recorded on a cadet’s transcript. Only grades of D or better will be included in a cadet’s cumulative GPA. A grade of F is never counted in the GPA earned from the summer programs. A cadet may request that a D grade earned in the Summer Session or the VMI Summer Transition Program not be counted toward graduation and for that reason not be included in his or her GPA. This request will be approved only if it is received by the Registrar’s Office before the end of the drop/add period of the semester following that Summer Session or Summer Transition Program.