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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.
Available 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 basic science general education requirement 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.
Note: AP credit is NOT accepted for HI-103 at VMI.
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: A first course in mathematical modeling without calculus, focusing on mathematical tools needed for modeling, including Excel. Topics include regression; the center, spread and shape of a data set; and inferential statistics, including probability, sampling, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. An emphasis is placed on the clear communication of mathematical ideas through writing and the appropriate use of data visualization, including tables and graphs,
Target Audience: MA-101 is a required course for those majoring in English, history, international studies, modern languages, psychology, and the computer science IT or cybersecurity tracks with a Math Placement Test score less than 16.
Department: Applied Mathematics
Course: MA-106: Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3 credit hours)
Description: Topics include random variables, correlation, regression, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Computer/calculator applications will be chosen to enhance understanding of the topics.
Target Audience: MA-106 is a required course for those majoring in biology, economics and business, and the computer science cybersecurity track with a Math Placement Test score greater than 16.
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. Required only for those cadets who plan to take MA123 (Calculus I). This course is only offered on a pass/fail basis and cannot be used towards program requirements.
Target Audience: This course is a preparatory course for those intending to be chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, and all engineering majors, but scored below 21 on the Math Placement Test. It is appropriate for computer science theory and application track majors with a Math Placement Test score less than 16.
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 and basic integration formulas.
Target Audience: MA-123 is a required course for all engineering majors as well as those majoring in chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, and the computer science theory and application track.
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
Target Audience: ERH-101 is appropriate for students in all majors. Do not sign up for this course if you are expecting AP credit for English Language & Composition or have dual-enrollment credit for ENG 111 from a Virginia Community College.
Department: Computer and Information Sciences
Course: CIS-101: Introduction to Computer Science I (3 credit hours)
Description: An overview of the scope of courses in computer science. The course provides exposure and foundation to appreciate the relevance and interrelationships of future courses in the CS program. Topics include number systems, computer architecture, operating systems, computer networks, security, algorithms, databases, programming languages, software development life cycle, 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.