Courses of Instruction

Course Numbering System. Each subject is identified by a symbol made up of two parts. The first part is an abbreviation denoting the general field of study. The second part is a number denoting the particular subject. The first digit indicates the year in which the course is usually taken and, therefore, the level of instruction.

Credit. The unit of academic credit used at the Virginia Military Institute is the semester hour. In general a semester hour represents one hour of classroom work (lecture or recitation) or one period (two or three hours) of laboratory or supervised research or field work per week during a single semester. Thus a course that meets for three class hours and one laboratory period each week during one semester usually carries credit for four semester hours.

In the following course descriptions the figures on the title lines indicate, in order, the class hours per week, the laboratory or field work hours per week, and the semester hours credit. For example, the figures “3—2—4” mean that the class meets three times a week for one-hour classroom sessions and has two hours of laboratory, supervised research, or field work each week, and that the course carries four semester hours of credit.

HISTORY

Department of History
Department Head: Colonel M. Houston Johnson

Requirements for a major in history are specified in History .

HONORS PROGRAM

Director: Colonel Robert McDonald
For information pertaining to the Institute Honors Program, please see Special Programs .

HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND WELLNESS

Department of Human Performance and Wellness
Department Head: Colonel Coale

All cadets are required to take seven semesters of Human Performance and Wellness classes, and earn four semester credit hours (exclusive of any 3 credit hour course) to meet graduation requirements. New cadets are required to take Wellness Concepts (HPW 105), and Boxing (HPW 102) during their fourth-class year. Third-class year cadets are required to take Swimming (HPW 200 or 201), and Principles of Physical Conditioning (HPW 205). Cadets will take two HPW Elective courses during their second-class year. Cadets will also take an HPW elective during the first semester of their first-class year to complete their Human Performance and Wellness requirements. There is no HPW requirement (OPEN semester), for the second semester of the first-class year. To accommodate special circumstances that may arise, such as study abroad and medical/health issues, the OPEN semester may occur during the fall/spring of the second-class year, or the fall of the first class year.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Department of International Studies and Political Science
Department Head: Colonel Foster

Requirements for a degree in international studies and political science are specified in International Studies and Political Science .