Courses and Descriptions

English Composition: 6 semester hours.

Composition classes are essential in order for students to learn communication skills that are required throughout life. To fulfill this requirement, students take ENGL 101 and 102. Students who demonstrate advanced placement skills may complete this section by taking ENGL 103H.

Literature: 3 semester hours.

Courses dealing with literature expose students to the ideas of other cultures, and contribute as well to stronger communication skills. Students may select literature options from English courses numbered 212 through 326, and literature courses taught by foreign language faculty.

Mathematics: 6 semester hours.

Mathematics contributes to the development of formal reasoning skills. Students may select any mathematics course numbered 100 or higher, except MATH 301, 302, 315, 321, or 322.

Physical Education: 1 semester hour.

A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Two .5-hour credit courses or one 1-semester-hour credit course, to be selected from Physical Education Activity Courses (Basic Skills).

SEMR 101/102 : 1 semester hour.

This section is required of all freshmen and serves as an introduction to life at UVa-Wise. Selections include courses on campus life, study skills, relationships, and surveys of different areas of study offered by the College. The faculty member who serves as instructor also serves as the student's academic advisor.

Foreign Language: 6 semester hours.

Liberally educated individuals should be able to communicate and share ideas across languages. Students must complete a 6-semester-hour introductory sequence in a foreign language. Exemptions may be made by demonstrating a level of proficiency equivalent to one year of college language study and/or by successful completion of 103H.

Western Heritage: 6 semester hours.

This requirement explores the culture and tradition of the western world, of which the United States is a part.  Students may choose from the following courses to fulfill this requirement:

ENGL 305 and 306; HIST 101 and 102; PHIL 205 and 206, POLS 103 and 104; and VPAR 101 and 102.

Natural Science: 8 semester hours.

Understanding laboratory procedures helps to build deductive reasoning skills. Students must select two laboratory science courses, which can be from two different science areas.

Arts: 3 semester hours.

Understanding culture includes an exploration of the arts. Three semester hours are to be selected from art, dance, music, and theatre. Students may select any combination of three hours (i.e., three 1-semester-hour courses, one 3-semester hour course, etc.) to meet this requirement.

Humanities: 3 semester hours.

Courses in the humanities focus on what makes human beings unique. One course is to be selected from French, German, history, Latin, philosophy, religion, Spanish, visual and performing arts, or literature.

Social Science: 9 semester hours.

The social sciences explore individuality and human behavior. No more than 3 semester hours may be taken in any one field, with courses to be selected from 100- and 200-level courses in economics, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, or geography (except GEOG 201).