Using this Catalog
Abbreviations
Miscellaneous abbreviations used only in the course descriptions include:
C-
|
credits |
I-
|
Fall semester |
Co-
|
corequisite |
II-
|
Spring semester |
H-
|
hours in classroom |
III-
|
First summer session |
L-
|
hours in laboratory |
IV-
|
Second summer session |
Pre-
|
prerequisite |
The Roman numeral designations for the terms in which courses are offered are intended only as general guides and do not indicate binding agreement to offer in those terms.
Course Descriptions
- AAEC - Agricultural and Applied Economics
- ACIS - Accounting and Information Systems
- ADV - Advertising
- AFST - Africana Studies
- AHRM - Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management
- AINS - American Indian Studies
- ALCE - Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
- ALS - Agriculture and Life Sciences
- AOE - Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
- APS - Appalachian Studies
- APSC - Animal and Poultry Sciences
- ARBC - Arabic
- ARCH - Architecture
- ART - Art and Art History
- AS - Aerospace Studies (AFROTC)
- AT - Agricultural Technology
- BDS - Behavioral Decision Science
- BC - Building Construction
- BCHM - Biochemistry
- BIOL - Biological Sciences
- BIT - Business Information Technology
- BMES - Biomedical Engineering and Sciences
- BMSP - Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology
- BMVS - Biomedical & Veterinary Sciences
- BSE - Biological Systems Engineering
- BUS - Business
- CAUS - College of Architecture and Urban Studies
- CEE - Civil and Environmental Engineering
- CEM - Construction Engineering and Management
- CHE - Chemical Engineering
- CHEM - Chemistry
- CHN - Chinese
- CINE - Cinema
- CLA - Classics
- CMDA - Computational Modeling and Data Analytics
- CMST - Communication Studies
- COMM - Communication
- CONS - Consumer Studies
- COS - College of Science
- CRIM - Criminology
- CS - Computer Science
- CSES - Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
- DANC - Dance
- DASC - Dairy Science
- ECE - Electrical and Computer Engineering
- ECON - Economics
- EDCI - Curriculum and Instruction
- EDCO - Counselor Education
- EDCT - Career and Technical Education
- EDEP - Educational Psychology
- EDIT - Instructional Design & Tech
- EDTE - Technology Education
- ENGE - Engineering Education
- ENGL - English
- ENGR - Engineering
- ENSC - Environmental Science
- ENT - Entomology
- ESM - Engineering Science and Mechanics
- FA - Fine Arts
- FCS - Family and Consumer Sciences
- FIN - Finance, Insurance, Business Law
- FIW - Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
- FL - Foreign Language
- FMD - Fashion Merchandising
- FR - French
- FREC - Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
- FST - Food Science and Technology
- GEOG - Geography
- GEOS - Geosciences
- GER - German
- GR - Greek
- HD - Human Development
- HEB - Hebrew
- HIST - History
- HNFE - Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
- HORT - Horticulture
- HTM - Hospitality and Tourism Management
- HUM - Humanities
- IDS - Industrial Design
- IS - International Studies
- ISC - Integrated Science
- ISE - Industrial and Systems Engineering
- ITAL - Italian
- ITDS - Interior Design
- JMC - Journalism and Mass Communication
- JPN - Japanese
- JUD - Judaic Studies
- KOR - Korean
- LAHS - Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
- LAR - Landscape Architecture
- LAT - Latin
- LDRS - Leadership Studies
- MASC - Mathematical Sciences
- MATH - Mathematics
- ME - Mechanical Engineering
- MGT - Management
- MINE - Mining and Minerals Engineering
- MKTG - Marketing
- MN - Military Navy (NROTC)
- MS - Military Science (AROTC)
- MSE - Materials Science and Engineering
- MTRG - Meteorology
- MUS - Music
- NANO - Nanoscience
- NEUR - Neuroscience
- NR - Natural Resources
- NSEG - Nuclear Science Engineering
- PHIL - Philosophy
- PHS - Population Health Sciences
- PHYS - Physics
- PM - Property Management
- PORT - Portuguese
- PPWS - Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science
- PR - Public Relations
- PSCI - Political Science
- PSVP - Peace Studies
- PSYC - Psychology
- REAL - Real Estate
- RED - Residential Environments and Design
- RLCL - Religion and Culture
- RUS - Russian
- SBIO - Sustainable Biomaterials
- SOC - Sociology
- SPAN - Spanish
- SPIA - School of Public and International Affairs
- STAT - Statistics
- STL - Science, Technology, and Law
- STS - Science Technology Studies
- SYSB - Systems Biology
- TA - Theatre Arts
- TBMH - Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health
- UAP - Urban Affairs and Planning
- UH - University Honors
- UNIV - University Course Series
- VM - Veterinary Medicine
- WATR - Water
- WGS - Women's and Gender Studies
Changes in Catalog Information
Caution: The course offerings and requirements of Virginia Tech are under examination and revision continually. This catalog presents the offerings and requirements in effect at time of publication, but in no way guarantees that they will not be changed or revoked. The regulations and policies may change to meet new needs or as legislation is approved. Such changes are published in the President's Policy Memoranda. Courses not taught for five years shall be removed from the Undergraduate Catalog.
The policies and regulations that appear in this catalog are not meant to form a contract or to constitute an offer of one. Current information may be obtained from the following:
- Undergraduate Admission Requirements: Director of Admissions.
- Course Offerings: Academic departments offering the course(s) in question.
- Degree Requirements: Office of the University Registrar, head of major department, or academic dean of the college.
- Fees and Tuition: Office of the University Bursar.
Course Numbering System
The first digit in course number designations denotes the year in which the course ordinarily is found in the curricular outlines or "checksheets," which are available from the major department or academic advisor. The second and third digits make the course number unique within a department. The fourth digit is 4 if the course is a one-term terminal course, 5 if the course is the first term in a sequence, and 6 if the second term in a sequence. As a general rule, courses with 0 as the first digit do not carry university credit. Agricultural Technology courses, however, are an exception.
Undergraduate (UG) | 1000 - 4000 |
Graduate (GR) | 4000 - 6000 |
Professional (PR) | 9000 |
Medical (MD) | 9000 |
Cross Listed Courses
Courses that are cross listed between departments may not be counted twice toward meeting graduation requirements. No credit will be allowed for a course taken that duplicates subject matter in a course for which credit already has been received. Cross listed courses are indicated in the title line of course descriptions; for instance, REL 3454 is listed as follows:
- 3454 (PHIL 3454): PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
The first number is the Religion course number, while the number in parentheses indicates that the course is cross listed with Philosophy.
Graduate Course Listings
Information regarding graduate courses (5000 and above) may be found in the Graduate Catalog.
Prerequisite Notations and Requirements
Students are permitted to take courses without having the specified prerequisites only upon obtaining the consent of the instructor. Students who enroll in a course for which they have not clearly satisfied the prerequisites or equivalent, or obtained the appropriate permission, may be dropped from the course. Deliberately false statements testifying to the satisfaction of prerequisites constitute a violation of the honor code. Students have the right to appeal a decision about prerequisites to the head of the department offering a course. Students should recognize that 3000 and 4000 level courses assume a certain level of academic maturity and general background regardless of the stated prerequisites. The course instructor can be consulted regarding the implications of this expectation for a specific course. Students must consult with the instructor if they wish to use the Pass/Fail option in a course for which they do not have the prerequisites.
Students should note prerequisite and corequisite requirements as stated in the course descriptions. Courses in a series may be taken independently where the series of course numbers is separated by commas (e.g., 3135, 3136), in the catalog listing. Where the series of course numbers is connected by hyphens (e.g., 4135-4136), the first course is prerequisite for the next one.
Tables
The numbers on the right hand side of tables listed under certain departments denote the number of hours the class meets each week during the term and, in parentheses, the number of credits allowed for the course. A listing such as 3(3) means that the course meets three hours each week and three credits are earned.
University Course Series (UNIV)
1004: COLLEGE SUCCESS STRATEGIES Study and application of strategies, skills, attitudes and behaviors leading to effective academic learning in a college setting. Credit not applicable to meeting degree requirements; may not be repeated. (3H,3C)
1704: FIRST YEAR SEMINAR COURSE Introductory exploration of academic and social competencies contexts and responsible decision-making within a residential learning community environment. Pre: Consent required. May not count towards degree requirements; consult advisor. (3H,3C)
1824: PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: EXPLORING YOUR FUTURE Introductory experience course for University Studies and Explore Technology majors. Create fundamental knowledge and develop skills that facilitate successful transition to the university and develop decision-making skills, problem solving, inquiry, research majors and careers, critical thinking and integration of knowledge. Examine their personal decision towards their major utilizing psychosocial and identity in support of a successful transition. Evaluate sources of information to make an argument. (3H,3C)
1984: SPECIAL STUDY May not count towards degree requirements; consult advisor. Variable credit course.
2114: UNLEASH YOUR HOKIEPOTENTIAL First-Year Experience course for transfer students. Establish fundamental knowledge and develop skills that facilitate a successful transition into Virginia Tech. Develop/refine decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and inquiry. Examine personal strengths, values, goals, and integration of knowledge; establish academic, personal, and career goals in support of a successful transition to Virginia Tech. Topics covered will include: principles of community, academic integrity, campus resources, digital and informational literacy, career planning, academic planning, and goal setting. (1H,1C)
2394: INTRODUCTION TO RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES AND LEADERSHIP This course provides theories, basic principles, and skill development that serve as a knowledge base and framework for the peer helping, para-professional Resident Advisor position. This course is open only to students who are serving in their first semester as a Resident Advisor. (3H,3C)
2984: SPECIAL STUDY May not count towards degree requirements; consult advisor. Variable credit course.
3954: STUDY ABROAD May not count towards degree requirements; consult advisor. Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY May not count towards degree requirements; consult advisor. Variable credit course.