USC 100 is required for all Summer Start students. It is designed to assist freshmen in making an effective transition to the rigors of a large diverse research-focused university. The course is designed to provide students with the support and knowledge needed to address the academic and personal challenges as well as other transitional issues. This course will also help students understand how culture shapes identity. Classroom discussions, small group work, completion of StrengthsQuest, and an introduction to technological and other resources are all vital components of this course. Topics include: diversity, cultural awareness, StrengthsQuest, academic adjustment, college success, social adjustment, campus resources, and health.

GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Summer only

This course serves as an introduction to NC State for students in the Exploratory Studies program. The course primarily focuses on helping students learn about their personal skills, interests, values, and strengths as they make well-informed decisions about the major they want to pursue. Topics range from major and career decision-making; assessment of interests, skills, and values; available university resources; overview of university majors and minors as well as policies and procedures. Exploratory Studies students only. Student cannot get credit for both USC 101 and USC 103.

R: Exploratory Studies Fall admits only

Typically offered in Fall only

Building on USC 101, students will continue their exploration with a focus on careers. Topics include learning ways to research career fields, weighing factors (i.e., personal interests, values, etc.) in their decision-making process alongside their choice for an academic major, and building skills that aid in exploration beyond the classroom and the Exploratory Studies program. Additionally, the course focuses on helping students understand how to understand and navigate campus policies and procedures. Only open to Exploratory Studies students. Credit cannot be received for both USC 102 and USC 104.

Prerequisite: USC 101, Exploratory Studies students only

Typically offered in Spring only

Introduction to University Education for Varsity Student Athletes I provides success strategies for first year student athletes at North Carolina State University. The course is designed to assist student-athletes with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the academic and personal challenges of university life and the increased responsibilities of adulthood, with special attention to the unique challenges and opportunities of student-athletes. Topics include: goal setting, time management, study skills, critical thinking, interaction with the faculty, NCAA and NCSU continuing eligibility, academic integrity, nutrition, and diversity.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Introduction to University Education for Varsity Student-Athletes II will provide student-athletes with the skills necessary to promote informed decision making in choosing an appropriate major and exploring possible careers. Additional areas of career development, academic success, and personal development will also be addressed as they would relate to the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges that student-athletes face, as well as a review of NCAA and NCSU continuing eligibility.

Prerequisite: USC 103

Typically offered in Spring only

USC 107 is designed to assist first-generation pre-college students in making an effective transition to post-secondary education. The course is designed to provide pre-college students with the skills and knowledge needed to address the academic and personal challenges that may impact their progress to degree. Classroom discussions, small group work, guided tours, near-peer mentoring, and access to resources are all vital components of this course. Topics will include campus resources, policies, procedures; study skills; and life management concerns such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational goals.

Typically offered in Summer only

USC 110 provides an opportunity for a diverse student population to explore the question of race and cultural differences in a global society. This course requires that participants actively explore their biases and cultural prejudices for greater enlightenment. This course challenges sources of conventional information such as media outlets, empirical data and prevailing folklore. The course represents an opportunity to have a positive impact on the matriculation and graduation rate of diverse student populations through positive reinforcement, affirmation of cultural heritage and background. Freshman First Year Entering Students Only.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is intended for students who need to improve their academic standing, with enrollment priority given to students readmitted on academic probation. Students will acquire policy and resource knowledge, practical skills, and strategies to improve their academic standing at NC State University. Students will address the academic and personal challenges that may have impacted progress towards their chosen degree. Department Consent Required

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course serves as an orientation for students participating in the EcoVillage Living-Learning Village and provides an introduction to the topic of "sustainability." Students have the opportunity to network with their fellow Village residents, campus partners, and guest faculty while performing service learning and during class group activities and discussions. Students will assess their personal definitions, connections to, and impacts on sustainability. This course is required for all first-year EcoVillage residents. This course meets the requirements for the Interdisciplinary Perspectives GEP Category.

Restricted to students participating in the EcoVillage Living-Learning Village

GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

The USC 120 class will help military veteran/service members transition into the academic environment and campus community. Topics include academic success skills, academic culture, campus resources and student services. Military Veterans (Active and Veteran)

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Selecting a major and career path are critical components of academic success at NC State and beyond. Exploratory Studies focuses on supporting students as they acclimate to campus, learn about themselves, develop skills, and utilize tools to make informed decisions about their major and career paths. This class will focus on the academic transition to college, exploration of majors and careers, understanding the role of diversity in the community, and assist students as they make well-informed decisions about majors. Additional topics include: community and diversity; assessment of interests, skills, and values; available university resources; overview of university majors and minors as well as policies and procedures. Course limited to Exploratory Studies Spring Connection Students.

Students in Exploratory Studies Only

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is intended for students who are considering changing their college major and/or are interested in exploring academic major opportunities. Career exploration and development provides students across campus a focused classroom setting to receive career exploration and academic major decision-making assistance. Students will learn about their personal strengths, values, skills, and personality and understand how these self-assessments will affect their major/career decisions. Students will explore the concept of career resiliency while developing professional skills that will be transferable into any college/major.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

The course is for Career Ambassadors only. This course will offer learning opportunities that will provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be effective Career Ambassadors. Understanding of the NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) eight career competencies is central to success in this course, as is engagement with guest speakers, class discussions, group activities, and reflections based on leadership experiences. Career Ambassadors present at outreach events across the university on behalf of the Career Development Center and develop strong public speaking, teamwork, and leadership skills. Restricted to students who are chosen to be Career Ambassadors after the interview process. (Department Approval Required).

Restriction: Students must be accepted into the Career Ambassador program.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

All enrolled students must be employed as ASC tutors. The purpose of the course is threefold: to introduce tutors to effective tutoring techniques based on educational research, to help tutors implement a variety of tutoring methods depending on the students' specific needs, and to guide tutors in self-evaluating their individual tutoring progress and goals. Departmental Approval Required. GPA 3.25 or higher.

Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.25

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Course will provide the student basic concepts of involvement theory, group development theory and community development relevant to residence hall living as a paraprofessional leader on the campus; the basic principles related to leadership with emphasis on how one develops and leads with their values, beliefs and attitudes and develop skills involving active listening, communication, conflict management and mediation techniques; basic program development and presentation skills; teaching pedagogy; and diversity issues. Some out of classroom activities are required. Departmental approval required.

Typically offered in Fall only

For New Student Programs Student Leaders only. Relevant research, student development theory, and shared professional experiences are presented. This course will offer learning opportunities that will provide class members with knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to become effective NSP Student Leaders. Class discussion, small groups activities, simulations, and writing employed. Individual projects and out-of-class team building experiences are required, including Saturday activities. Departmental Approval Required.

Typically offered in Spring only

Course provides University Ambassadors with the knowledge, mindset, and skills necessary to effectively represent the University in a variety of settings to a variety of constituents. Course prepares students to emerge as leaders within the Ambassador program and throughout their University experience. Restricted to University Ambassadors only.

Requisite: University Ambassadors Only

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Exploration of US diversity and effective leadership practices using the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) model. NCBI is an international non-profit leadership development network dedicated to elimination of racism and other forms of oppression. Students will be introduced to the NCBI model which involves significant self-discovery, active listening and dialogue, and participate in activities that establish leadership strategies applied in various contexts. Each practical learning tool is grounded in principles that will be explored through group discussions and reflective journaling. Specific skill training will focus on conflict resolution, creating inclusive environments, strategies for effective listening/communication, personal growth and development. This course is intended for undergraduates, sophomores and above.

Prerequisite: Class Level = Sophomore, Junior, or Senior

GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Broadly defined, research is an interconnected and global process that adds new knowledge, creativity, and innovation to any discipline, from the sciences to the arts to the humanities and in between. During the first half of this course, students will build a foundation of knowledge in the research enterprise including inquiry, research methods, and research governance in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary context. Through the use of site-specific case studies, students will analyze past discoveries and innovations that have shaped our current world. This analysis will then become the basis for a research project during the study abroad component of the course. Upon their return, students will learn to synthesize their findings, draw conclusions, and present their research in a cross-disciplinary manner, developing strong oral and written communication skills. To enroll, students must be accepted to the associated study abroad program. All majors are encouraged.

GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Typically offered in Spring and Summer

The purpose of the course is to prepare students for their role as Alternative Service Break Team Leaders. The course will incorporate the larger issues of citizenship, social justice, and positive change and will include the logistics, risk-management, and leadership skills needed when leading a service trip. This course will require students to think critically about their role as a leader. Students will participate in a weekend overnight retreat. Transportation for the retreat will be provided by University Van rental. Expenses for the weekend retreat are covered in the ASB administrative charge paid by participants.

Typically offered in Fall only

The purpose of the course is to prepare students for their role as Alternative Service Break Team Leaders. Part II of the Service Learning Program Leader Development will build upon what students learned in Part I and they will be able to put into practice what has been learned with their own teams. Students will travel with their respective teams during spring break to complete the week long service-learning project. Students will be responsible for fundraising for approximately half the cost of their trip. Trip costs vary and depends on location selected.

Prerequisite: AEE 291

Typically offered in Spring only

A course in which students participate in individualized, independent, directed, or guided studies under the supervision of the instructor of the field or discipline. Topic, mode of study, evaluation criteria, and credit hours to be determined in consultation with the supervising faculty and documented. Course may be taken a maximum of three times provided the topic is sufficiently different. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a "Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses" be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Special Topics in University Studies at the Undergraduate level for offering of courses on an experimental basis.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

USC 301 is designed to assist new transfer students in making an effective transition to the rigors of a large research university. The course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to address the academic and personal challenges as well as other transitional issues that may impact their progress toward their degree. Classroom discussions, small group work, guided tours, faculty mentors and introduction to resources, services and opportunities are all vital components of this course. Topics include: academic adjustment, social adjustment, campus resources, major and career exploration, policies and procedures, financial aid, and technology. COURSE IS RESTRICTED TO FIRST OR SECOND SEMESTER TRANSFER STUDENTS. Students will not received credit for both USC 301 and ALS 303 or T 101.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Focus on the unique transitions the student will face upon leaving college. Through a variety of formats, students will have the opportunity to explore several aspects of their post-baccalaureate lives and ways in coping with emerging careers, money management, extracurricular retirement, transitional issues, civic engagement, and continuing education opportunities. Explorations of these areas include specific emphasis on developing and refining interviewing skills, professional and personal networks, financial endeavors, and job application and selection.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring