VTSA Booklet - Virginia Tech Summer Academy

Jump-start
first year
your
at the Virginia Tech
Summer Academy!
Virginia Tech
Summer Academy

Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact
Services for Students with Disabilities at 540-231-3788 or mailto:ssd@vt.edu
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of
age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation,
or veteran status.
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what is virginia tech
summer academy?
Virginia Tech Summer Academy is an opportunity for first-year students
to jump-start their Virginia Tech academic career in a small classroom
environment.
Virginia Tech, one of the top land-grant universities in the nation, with
more than 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students can sometimes be a
bit daunting for new students. Normally, first year students start in August
during a regular semester and are immediately thrust into the university
environment with the challenges of juggling academics, finding their way
around campus, making new friends, and adjusting to life in the residence
halls. VTSA is designed to ease your transition from high school to college
by coupling required course work with opportunities to become familiar
with university expectations, making new friends, and finding your way
around campus and the Blacksburg community during a summer session
without the flurry and crowds of a fall semester start-up. Research experts
suggest that students who enroll in programs like VTSA have higher levels
of satisfaction in personal adjustment, satisfaction with institutional choice,
and a more enriching academic experience than nonparticipants. VTSA
combines popular courses, along with peer mentoring, to promote a solid
foundation for the start of your academic life at Virginia Tech.
VTSA takes place during Virginia Tech’s second summer session
( July 6-August 16) and is available only to first year students. Students
should apply as soon as possible. Space is limited in VTSA. Every effort will
be made to fulfill each student’s preferred choice.
how does vtsa work?
As a VTSA student, you will select one academic “track.” A track typically
consists of two-three-credit hour courses linked with students in both
courses.
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what are the benefits of vtsa?
Jump Start Your Path to Graduation – Get a few steps closer to reaching
your goal of completing your undergraduate degree. Taking some of your
general education requirements now helps you either to graduate early or
have room for double majors or minors.
Small Classes – Each track is limited to 24 students, allowing for greater interaction
with faculty and other students. You take both classes with the same small
group. The faculty members work to integrate material from the two courses.
A Mentor for Each Track – An upper-level student is there to show you the
way with study-skills sessions, library tours, computer assistance, tips about
being successful at Virginia Tech, and engagement in out-of-class experiences.
Workshops – In addition to taking courses, students will be engaged throughout
the day in strategic workshops in time management, study skills, test taking,
career development, strength assessment, and creating a plan of study.
Library Resources – Librarians will be available to assist you in navigating
through the vast resources of Newman Library. Developing research skills
will be critical to your success in the university environment.
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Early VTSA Residence Hall Move-in – VTSA students live with each
other in a designated residence hall. Beat the fall move-in rush. At the end
of the summer session, VTSA students are allowed to move belongings to
their assigned residence hall for fall.
Orientation – Students attending VTSA will receive orientation while
participating in Summer Academy and do not need to sign up for an orientation
session. Staff members from New Student Programs will work with
VTSA students during the six-week academy to provide the same information
presented at orientation. Parents will receive orientation information at
a special session offered the day prior to the start of Summer Academy.
Hokie Camp – Hokie Camp welcomes new Hokies to Virginia Tech with
the purpose of giving them an opportunity to have fun, make friends, and
learn more about life at Virginia Tech. At camp, students will have
opportunities for hands on service, Ut Prosim, Virginia Tech’s motto.
Through Hokie Camp, new Hokies will begin finding their place in the
Hokie Family! Hokie Camp is a three-day orientation experience that
will take place at the W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center.
Students will ride buses from the Virginia Tech campus to the conference
center, where they will stay in air-conditioned, furnished cabins. For more
information about Hokie Camp, visit: www.hokiecamp.nsp.vt.edu.
Federal Work Study Program – Seal the deal with a university for your fall
employment position before everyone else arrives in August!
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if i am offered summer
admission, am i automatically
registered for vtsa?
No. To participate in VTSA, you must register for one of the VTSA tracks
described in the brochure.
who should choose vtsa?
VTSA is for you if you are a first-year student who wants a smooth transition
into academic and social life at a large research university. The program
is open only to first-year students admitted to Virginia Tech during the
summer or fall terms and is offered only during the second summer session.
how much does vtsa cost?
Your total fees are based on the summer session tuition for the six credits of
enrollment and the summer room and meal plan rates. Visit bursar.vt.edu
for the most up-to-date tuition information. Co-curricular seminars and
workshops are provided to VTSA participants at no additional cost.
is financial aid available?
Summer Academy aid does not
yes. count toward your fall award.
VTSA students interested in receiving consideration for financial aid must
complete the 2013-14 FAFSA form. This form must be completed in addition
to the 2014-15 FAFSA form associated with the upcoming academic year. You
can complete the free FAFSA application online by visiting fafsa.ed.gov.
To obtain in-depth guidance and information about your individual financial
aid outlook at Virginia Tech, please visit University Scholarships and
Financial Aid at finaid.vt.edu.
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VIRGINIA TECH SUMMER
ACADEMY TRACKS
Jump-start your Virginia Tech experience by becoming a part of a very caring and
supportive environment by participating in the Virginia Tech Summer Academy.
Courses designated, as “Area” are options in general education, required of all Virginia
Tech students. Choose from over 15 different tracks. To enroll in your preferred
track, follow the instructions outlined here. (Link should go to the registration page).
Transfer students: Please remember to check with your advisor for appropriate track
registration. Tracks for transfer students are tracks 16 – 18.
TRACK 1: Today’s Forecast: Sunshine with Lots of Maroon and Orange
Atmospheric pressure, hydrology, climatology, forecasting, landforms, soils, and air
masses are topics that will be covered in this track. In addition to studying theoretical
models for understanding weather patterns, students also will have the opportunity
to gain experience from local meteorologists.
GEOS 3114: Introduction to Meteorology
GEOG 1104: Introduction to Physical Geography
TRACK 2: A World of Change
What is going on in the world? This track focuses on geopolitical relationships,
interdependence among nations, and human and physical patterns of major regions.
Students will develop understandings of the historical and political conditions that
assist in explaining contemporary international conflicts.
HIST 1116: Introduction to U. S. History, (Area 3), 3 credits
PSCI 2054: Introduction to World Politics, (Area 3, also in Area 7), 3 credits
TRACK 3: Architecture and Design
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.
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ARCH 1024: Design Thinking: Defying Preconceptions, 3 credits
ARCH 1034: 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.
TRACK 4: Engineering Exploration
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 drive 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 1024: Engineering Explorations to ENGE 1215:
Engineering Foundations, 2 credits
ENGE 2984: Engineering Success Seminar, 1 credit^
STS 2054: Engineering Cultures, (Areas 2 & 7), 3 credits
^This course does not satisfy a graduation requirement.
TRACK 5: Engineering Mathematics
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 drive 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 1024: Engineering Explorations to ENGE 1215:
Engineering Foundations, 2 credits
MATH 1225: Calculus of a Single Variable, (Area 5,), 4 credits
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TRACK 6: Nutrition, Foods, Exercise, and Sport
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.
TRACK 7: Nutrition and Life Sciences
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: Foods, Nutrition and Exercise, 3 credits
This track is recommended for students majoring in the life sciences. Participants
will be exposed to practitioners in the health professions. These courses meet degree
requirements for the Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise major.
TRACK 8: The Right Chemistry
This track is designed to prepare students to be successful in introductory level
chemistry courses. Students will develop the following understanding upon the
completion of this track: the language of chemistry; the meaning and use of the
mole, atomic theory and structure; the periodic table; chemical bonding, chemical
reactions and equations; set up and solve word problems; familiarity with exponents
and logarithms. This track prepares students for the computational foundation of
chemistry.
CHEM 2984: Chemistry Skills, 3 credits
MATH 1014: Pre-Calculus and Trig, (Area 5), 3 credits
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TRACK 9: Chemistry for Life Sciences
This track is designed to prepare students to be successful in introductory level
chemistry courses. Students will develop the following understanding upon the
completion of this track: language of chemistry; the meaning and use of the mole,
atomic theory and structure; the periodic table; chemical bonding, chemical reactions
and equations; set up and solve word problems; familiarity with exponents and
logarithms. Examples from food and fiber system will be emphasized in this track.
ALS 2984: Chemical Problems Skills for the Life Sciences, 3 credits
AAEC 1005: The Economics of the Food and Fiber System, (Area 3), 3 credits
TRACK 10: Business Information Systems
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, 3 credits
(Required of all Business majors)
SOC 1004: Introduction to Sociology, (Area 3), 3 credits
TRACK 11: Healthy Minds and Bodies
Virginia Tech was named the fittest campus in America! This track introduces
students to holistic strategies for developing healthy minds and bodies, while taking
on the challenges and demands of a university experience. Students will be exposed to
Tai Chi and other wellness practices of the Far East.
HD 2984: Mind & Body Practices, 3 credits
PHS 1514: Personal Health, 3 credits
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TRACK 12: Animal and Poultry Sciences
In this combination of courses, students will be introduced to foundational principles
and practices associated with the animal sciences; receive hands-on training in basic
animal husbandry skills; develop an understanding of careers in the animal sciences;
and explore the connections between the agriculture that feeds us, the arts that
sustain us, and the society in which we live.
APSC 1454: Introduction to Animal and Poultry Sciences, 3 credits
APSC 1464: Introduction to Animal and Poultry Sciences Laboratory, 1 credit
APSC 2984: Introduction to APSC Undergraduate Research, 1 credit
ALS 1004: Agriculture, the Arts and Society (Area 6), 1 credit
This track is recommended for students interested in careers in the animal sciences,
including veterinary medicine, animal agriculture, and companion animals. The lab
course includes hands-on work with university-owned livestock and horses. The
APSC courses are required for Animal and Poultry Sciences majors and the ALS
1004 course fulfills the university’s Area 6 requirement.
TRACK 13: Globalization in the Food Industry
In this combination of courses, students will examine the economic objectives of
producers and consumers of food and fiber products. Participants will also analyze
global leadership models in the production and distribution of food products.
AAEC 1005: The Economics of the Food and Fiber System (Area 3), 3 credits
LDRS 1015: Exploring Citizen Leadership, 3 credits
TRACK 14: Communicating in a World of Change
Learning to communicate well is an essential skill in all professions. In the 21st
century, we are bombarded with technological influences in how we communicate. In
this track, students will examine sociological implications of speech and technology
in academic settings, social media, and the public square while enhancing their
professional communication skills.
COMM 2004: Public Speaking, 3 credits
SOC 1004: Introduction to Sociology, (Area 3), 3 credits
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TRACK 15: The Modern Drug Culture
What are the learned and shared behavior patterns of the modern drug culture?
How are these behavior patterns transmitted through language, common rituals, and
customs? How do recent changes at the state level conflict with federal guidelines?
Participants in this track will learn the facts about drug use, abuse, policies, and
prevention while learning strategies for healthy minds and bodies.
PHS 3534: Drug Education, 3 credits
HD 2984: Mind & Body Practices, 3 credits
Transfer Academy Tracks
TRACK 16: Animal and Poultry Sciences
In this combination of courses students learn the basic concepts of physiology and
anatomy of domestic animals; develop an understanding of careers in the animal
sciences; and explore the connections between the agriculture that feeds us, the arts
that sustain us, and the society in which we live.
ALS 2304 Physiology and Anatomy of Domestic Animals, 4 credits
APSC 2984: Introduction to APSC Undergraduate Research, 1 credit
ALS 1004: Agriculture, the Arts and Society (Area 6), 1 credit
This track is recommended for students interested in careers in the animal sciences,
including veterinary medicine, animal agriculture, and companion animals. The lab
course includes hands-on work with university-owned livestock and horses. The
APSC courses are required for Animal and Poultry Sciences majors and the ALS
1004 course fulfills the university’s Area 6 requirement.
TRACK 18: Individualized Transfer Track (I.T.T.)
In consultation with departmental academic advisors, students in this experience are
provided the opportunity to design a personalized track to meet specific academic
needs. Students must enroll in a minimum of five credit hours. Note: six credit hours
are required for financial aid consideration.
TRACK 19: Engineering Discovery
In this track, students will explore the development of engineering and its cultural
roles in historical and cross-national perspectives. Students will examine the roles of
engineers and engineering in popular life, development of national styles, changing
values in engineering problem solving, and the effects of evolving forms of capitalism.
This track is open to engineering and non-engineering majors.
STS 2054: Engineering Cultures, (Areas 2 & 7), 3 credits
MATH 1225: Calculus of a Single Variable, 4 credits*
*This course is required for all engineering majors.
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Track Recommendations by
College for Freshmen
Any College/Major
1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14
College of Architecture and Urban Affairs
2, 3, 11, 13, 14, 15
College of Engineering
4, 5, 11, 14, 15
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15
College of Natural Resources and Environment
1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14
College of Science
1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13
Pamplin College of Business
2, 10, 11, 13, 14,15
University Studies
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
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virginia tech summer academy
registration instructions
1 VTSA is designed for first-year students offered summer or fall
admission. Students should apply as soon as possible. Space is limited in
VTSA. Applications should be submitted not later than May 15, 2014.
Every effort will be made to accommodate all students who request
enrollment in the academy.
2 Review the VTSA Tracks offered for this summer. Choose three tracks
(in case your first choice is not available). Prior to registration, you will
be notified (by June 1) of the availability of your track preferences. Please
note that some tracks are available only to specific majors.
3 Go to vtsa.registrar.vt.edu and click on “Application” to begin your enrollment
process. Complete the application page and click “Submit.”
4 Students experiencing difficulty in submitting the application electronically,
are advised to contact the Office of University Summer Sessions at
540-231-4879 or summer@vt.edu to make other application arrangements.
5 Complete the 2013-14 FAFSA form. This form must be completed in
addition to the 2014-15 FAFSA form associated with the upcoming
academic year. You may complete the free FAFSA application online by
visiting fafsa.ed.gov.To obtain in-depth guidance and information about
your individual financial aid outlook at Virginia Tech, please send a
note to University Scholarships and Financial Aid at finaid@vt.edu. In
the subject line write, “Summer Academy.”
contact us
University Summer & Winter Sessions
104 Burruss Hall
800 Drillfield Drive (0717)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: 540-231-4879
Website: vtsa.registrar.vt.edu
E-mail: summer@vt.edu