Effective speech is a skill for success in most professions. Even good ideas that are not communicated well suffer. One of the goals of higher education is to prepare future leaders to present the best of ideas with precision and clarity. In this track, participants will explore the art of public speaking and basic concepts of critical thinking. *

COMM 2004: Public Speaking, 3 credits **

PHIL 1504: Language and Logic (Area 5), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students

**Enrollment in this course is open to all students, but required for the following majors: specific Business, Civil Engineering, Communication, and Computer Science. It is recommended for Sociology majors.

Everything new is old again. European history provides much of the background, which is needed for an understanding of both American history and the processes through which the modern world evolved. This track examines vital insights into the functioning of societies under varying religious, economic, social and technological conditions. *

ENGL 1105: First Year Writing (Area 1), 3 credits

HIST 1025: Introduction to European Civilization I (Area 2), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students

(This track occurs July 9-August 11)

Are you an aspiring Architect, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect or Industrial Designer? If so, this track has been designed specifically for you. The two combined courses provide a total immersion experience into the world of architecture and design. In this track, you will be introduced to the learning environment and activities characteristic of Foundation Design Lab ARCH 1015. Participants in this experience will also be exposed to ways of perceiving and recording the built and natural environment through travel around the region, and to transform their findings in ways that enhance their design education.

ARCH 2984: Design Thinking: Defying Preconceptions, 3 credits

ARCH 2984: Seeing Design: Transforming Observations, 3 credits

This track is recommended for Architecture, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect, Industrial Designer majors and University Studies students desiring to transfer to the architecture degree program.

This track focuses on multiculturalism and a variety of ethnic and indigenous cultures in contemporary experiences. Participants will develop a systematic understanding of cultural diversity and "the politics of difference." Global and ethical implications of difference will be explored. *

SPIA 1004: Nations and Nationalities (Areas 3 & 7), 3 credits

PHIL 2304: Global Ethics (Areas 2 & 7), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students

An understanding of the historical and political landscapes of the United States is essential for responsible and informed citizenship. This track develops a rich background for students' future participation in American political culture. *

HIST 1115: U. S. History (Area 3), 3 credits

PSCI 1014: Introduction to U. S. Government and Politics (Area 3), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students

Our society is continually confronted with the dynamic nature of human health. This track introduces students to the foundational principles of health and wellness. Participants will develop an understanding of the exciting fields of nutrition and sport science.

HNFE 1004: Foods, Nutrition, and Exercise, 3 credits

HNFE 2984: Fundamentals of Sport Science, 3 credits

This track is recommended for students in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. HNFE 1004 is required for all HNFE majors; HNFE 2984 can be used as a controlled elective for HNFE majors who choose the Science of Food, Nutrition and Exercise option and as a free elective for HNFE majors who choose the Dietetics option.

Students are introduced to the profession and the College of Engineering in this experience. Upon completion of this track, students will be able to: collaborate with classmates to successfully complete a team design project; demonstrate the ability to use basic project management methods; write an effective engineering report using a standard format and prepare and present a professional presentation; graph numeric data and derive simple empirical functions; develop algorithms and implement computer programs for engineering analysts; and, produce and interpret drawings appropriate to various engineering disciplines including hand sketched and computer generated.

ENGE 1434: Engineering Fundamentals, 5 Credits

ENGE 2984: Explorations in Engineering, 1 credit

This track is recommended for Engineering majors and University Studies students desiring to transfer to a department in the College of Engineering. Students approved for this track must meet the following requirements: have AP/dual enrollment credit for most of the freshman year classes, including ENGL 1105, 1106 (English Lang/Comp); CHEM 1035, 1045 (Chemistry); and, MATH 1205, 1206 (Calculus BC), 1114 (Linear Algebra), and 1224 (Vector Geometry). Please see AP Equivalency Table: http://www.registrar.vt.edu/registration/documents/ap_equivalency_1112.pdf

Developing oral and written communication skills is essential to one's success in the college environment and beyond. Discover best practices for appropriately expressing ideas in print and electronic media. This track will also explore implications and responsibilities for communicating in social media environments. *

COMM 2004: Public Speaking, 3 credits **

ENGL 1106: First Year Writing (Area 1), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students

**Enrollment in this course is open to all students, but required for the following majors: specific Business, Civil Engineering, Communication, and Computer Science. It is recommended for Sociology majors.

In this combination of courses, students will critically explore issues related to the scientific study of living organisms, such as plants, animals and human beings. The role of bioethics and technology will also be considered.

BIOL 1106: Principles of Biology (Area 4), 3 credits (Duplicates BIOL 1006).

BIOL 1116: Principles of Biology Lab (Area 4), 1 credit.

ENGL 1106: First Year Writing (Area 1), 3 credits

This track is recommended for students majoring in the life sciences such as Agriculture, Biology, Environmental Science, and Food Science. Participants will be exposed to practitioners in the health professions.

Nutrition, foods, and exercise and their impact on life cycles are analyzed in this coupling of courses. Students in this track will explore connections between food human behavior, ecology, anatomy and physiology.

BIOL 1106: Principles of Biology (Area 4), 3 credits

BIOL 1116: Principles of Biology Lab (Area 4), 1 credit

HNFE 1004: Human Nutrition and Foods, 3 credits

This track is recommended for students majoring in the life sciences such as Agriculture, Biology, Environmental Science, and Food Science. Participants will be exposed to practitioners in the health professions. These courses meet degree requirements for the Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise major.

Participants in this track will delve into contemporary questions surrounding the verbal, visual, and aural arts forms of human expression in the Western tradition. Combined with First Year Writing, students will study the condition of humanity through literature, cultural studies, and the visual arts. *

HUM 1604: Introduction to Humanities and the Arts (Area 2), 3 credits

ENGL 1106: First Year Writing (Area 1), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students

Become proficient in your understanding of the fundamental concepts of business information systems, the hardware, and data resources used in business organizations in this track. Special attention is given to information systems security and software applications.

ACIS 1504: Introduction to Business Information Systems (Required of all business majors)

MATH 1525: Elementary Calculus with Matrices (Area 5)(Required of all business majors)

This track is recommended for business majors and University Studies students desiring to transfer to the Pamplin College of Business.

Groups and individuals in the global marketplace are challenged to solve complex problems. Creative leaders envision outcomes for the greatest good in their communities and move beyond traditional boundaries to bring about change. Students in this track will examine historical and social leadership theories, practices, and solutions. *

HUM 2204: The Creative Process (Area 2), 3 credits

LDRS 1015: Exploring Citizen Leadership (Area 2), 3 credits

*Open to all first year students