FALL 2015
Academy of Integrated Science
College of Science
Virginia Tech
Integrated Science
Curriculum
Student Handbook
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE
INTEGRATED SCIENCE CURRICULUM
COMPILED BY
NORA SULLIVAN
PROGRAM ACADEMIC ADVISOR
ACADEMY OF INTEGRATED SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
VIRGINIA TECH
NORA84@VT.EDU
540-231-2442
WWW.SCIENCE.VT.EDU/AIS/ISC
The Integrated Science Curriculum
Are you passionate about science and math?
Do you seek to understand the big picture as well as all the really cool pieces?
Do you want to help solve the world’s most pressing and complex problems
through the power of science?
Designed for students seeking an in-depth understanding of 21st century science, the Integrated
Science Curriculum (ISC) provides a novel, integrated scientific foundation for any degree
program in the College of Science. It employs a collaborative, active-learning environment
emphasizing teamwork, skills acquisition, independent thought, and creativity. ISC prepares the
scientists of the future by having students learn and work as do the most successful scientists of
today.
Modern science is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature. A
generation ago, the classic scientific disciplines (biology, chemistry, and physics) could stand
independently in a way no longer possible. This is due to the increasingly complex scientific
questions that we are asking, questions that require knowledge stemming from all traditional
scientific fields. If science majors want to sustain successful careers in a world where the pace of
change will only accelerate, they need to be immersed in the new and evolving ways of thinking
about and doing science. The ISC presents the foundations of physical, mathematical and life
sciences in an integrated, active-learning mode so to produce students with a fundamental
understanding of the connections between the traditional sciences.
The recent evolution of science, in no small measure driven by the rapid increase in computational
power, has brought with it the emergence of important, new scientific fields. The ISC is an
excellent entry path for the traditional bachelor’s degrees in the College of Science (biological
sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, economics, geosciences, mathematics, physics, psychology,
and statistics), as well as for the new degree programs in computational modeling and data
analytics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and systems biology.
Importantly, the ISC is not just a repackaging of traditional courses. The ISC presents knowledge
and techniques from traditional sciences as complements to one another, providing the means to
understand large-scale societal problems, including the areas of food, energy, health, water, the
environment, and more. The ISC raises broad questions about these complex Earth systems that
do not fall into a single scientific box. To address these questions, the ISC introduces and/or
increases exposure to advanced scientific topics not typically covered in introductory courses, such
as organic chemistry, biochemistry, linear algebra, differential equations, numerical methods, and
stochastic processes. Through this approach, ISC students come to understand the
interrelationships of the sciences in a way that is not possible with a more conventional course
structure.
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The ISC is structured around the big issues and questions being asked around the world today.
These questions require the integration of ideas and methods from all scientific discipline. The
basic organizing themes and questions of the ISC include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
What is Life?
What is Matter?
What is Energy?
What is Motion?
What is Information?
Administratively speaking, the ISC is not a degree program. It is a freshman-sophomore course
sequence that provides an alternative entry to any major in the College of Science. Students who
enroll in the ISC will still choose a major field of study, and in addition to the ISC course and lab
will take courses specific to their chosen major.
How is the ISC structured?
From day one of the ISC, students are weaned off the conventions of the
traditional single-discipline classroom and taught to change their field of view
from what science is to what science is becoming. Both the ISC course and lab
are taught in an active-learning style classroom with an impressive 15:1 studentfaculty ratio. Students are nurtured by top-ranking scientists and professors and develop skills that
are often neglected in large, lecture style classrooms.
The ISC is a 30 credit, two-year course sequence that covers the fundamentals of college-level
chemistry, physics, and biology integrated with each other and with calculus, linear algebra, and
statistics. Teamwork, written and oral presentation, and problem-solving are central components
throughout the curriculum.
In each of the four semesters the ISC course is worth 6 credits and meets every day for seventyfive minutes. In the first year the laboratory course is worth 2 credits and meets twice a week for
2.5 hours. In the second year the laboratory course is worth 1 credit and meets twice per week for
seventy-five minutes.
Three example course schedules are shown below for ISC students majoring in physics, in biology,
and in microbiology. The first two years (when the ISC classes take place) for these majors are
shown here. Complete four year schedules are shown at the end of this handbook.
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Example ISC 2-year course schedules
Suggested 2-year schedule for an ISC student working towards a Physics B.S.
Freshman Year
Fall
Spring
course
credits
course
ISC 1105
ISC Lecture I
6
ISC 1106
ISC Lecture II
ISC 1115
ISC Lab I
2
ISC 1116
ISC Lab II
ISC 2984
ISC Math Supplement
1
MATH 1226 Calculus of a Single Variable
ENGL 1105 Freshman English
3
MATH 2114 Intro to Linear Algebra
PHYS 2325 Physics Freshman Seminar
1
PHYS 2974 Foundations of Physics
CLE Area 2 Course
3
PHYS 2326 Physics Freshman Seminar
total:
16
total:
Sophomore Year
ISC 2105
ISC Lecture III
6
ISC 2106
ISC Lecture IV
ISC 2115
ISC Lab III
1
ISC 2116
ISC Lab IV
MATH 2204 Intro to Multivariable Calculus
3
MATH 3214 Calculus of Several Variables
MATH 2214 Intro to Differential Equations
3
PHYS 3355 Intermediate Mechanics
PHYS 3324 Modern Physics
4
PHYS 2504 Mathematical Methods
total:
17
total:
credits
6
2
4
3
3
1
19
6
1
3
3
3
16
Suggested 2-year schedule for an ISC student working towards a Biology B.S.
Freshman Year
Fall
Spring
course
credits
course
credits
ISC 1105
ISC Lecture I
6
ISC 1106
ISC Lecture II
6
ISC 1115
ISC Lab I
2
ISC 1116
ISC Lab II
2
ISC 2984
ISC Freshman Seminar
1
BIOL 1106 Principles of Biology
3
ENGL 1105 Freshman English
3
ENGL 1106 Freshman English
3
CLE Area Course
3
CLE Area Course
3
total:
15
total:
17
Sophomore Year
ISC 2105
ISC Lecture III
6
ISC 2106
ISC Lecture IV
6
ISC 2115
ISC Lab III
1
ISC 2116
ISC Lab IV
1
BIOL 2004 Genetics or BIOL 2804 Ecology
3
BIOL 2804 Ecology or BIOL 2004 Genetics
3
CHEM 2535 Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 2536 Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 2545 Organic Chemistry Lab
1
CHEM 2546 Organic Chemistry Lab
1
CLE Area Course
3
total:
14
total:
17
3
course
ISC 1105
ISC 1115
ISC 2984
ENGL 1105
ISC 2105
ISC 2115
BIOL 2604
BIOL 2614
CHEM 2535
CHEM 2545
Suggested 2-year schedule for an ISC student working towards a Microbiology B.S.
Freshman Year
Fall
Spring
credits
course
ISC Lecture I
6
ISC 1106
ISC Lecture II
ISC Lab I
2
ISC 1116
ISC Lab II
ISC Freshman Seminar
1
BIOL 1106 Principles of Biology
Freshman English
3
ENGL 1106 Freshman English
CLE Area Course
3
CLE Area Course
total:
15
total:
Sophomore Year
ISC Lecture III
6
ISC 2106
ISC Lecture IV
ISC Lab III
1
ISC 2116
ISC Lab IV
Cell & Molecular Biology or
General Microbiology
3
BIOL 2104
BIOL 2004 Genetics
General Microbiology Lab
1
CHEM 2536 Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 2546 Organic Chemistry Lab
Organic Chemistry Lab
1
CLE Area Course
total:
15
total:
credits
6
2
3
3
3
17
6
1
3
3
1
3
17
If you would like to compare these ISC schedules with more traditional schedules, you can find
the graduation requirements for all Virginia Tech majors here:
https://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/college/index.html
After completing the two-year ISC program, students will have earned equivalences in the
following courses:







BIOL 1105-1106 Principles of Biology
BIOL 1115-1116 Principles of Biology Lab
CHEM 1035-1036 General Chemistry
CHEM 1045-1046 General Chemistry Lab
PHYS 2305-2306 Foundations of Physics
MATH 1114 Elementary Linear Algebra
MATH 1025-1026 Elementary Calculus
For majors that require MATH 1225 and 1226, ISC students can earn equivalence for MATH
1225 if they take the ISC Math Supplement in the fall of their freshman year and earn at least a
B. They can then take MATH 1226 in the spring of their freshman year.
State-of-the-art pedagogy in class and lab
The ISC is taught in the modern Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Upsidedown Pedagogies (SCALE-UP) classroom. This classroom is specifically designed for group work
and hands-on assignments and activities. There is no instructor’s lectern and no “front” and “back”
to the classroom. Instead, there are round tables that seat 6 to 9 students each where students work
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and interact in groups. Instructors are free to roam around the classroom answering questions,
sending one group to help another, or asking why a certain conclusion was reached. The primary
goal of the SCALE-UP classroom is to establish a highly collaborative, hands-on, interactive
learning environment. For more information on this state-of-the-art classroom, please visit:
http://www.lib.vt.edu/instruct/classrooms/scaleupclass.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUFud6MoHMo
Teamwork, written and oral presentation, and problem-solving are central to the ISC. In the
laboratory, data collection is seamlessly integrated with methods of data analysis, discovery and
interpretation. ISC aims for laboratory experiences that are closely integrated with lecture material,
making them mutually supportive pieces of the learning experience.
How to join ISC
In order to join the ISC, students must apply using the application found at:
http://science.vt.edu/ais/isc/
The application requires an essay of 800 words or less that answers the question: “Why do you want to
participate in the integrated science curriculum?”, a copy of your high school transcript, and a
recommendation letter from a teacher or guidance counselor. Review of applications begins on June 1st
and the deadline for submitting an application is August 1st. All students will be notified of the decision
by mid-August.
If you have any questions about ISC before or after applying, please feel free to contact us. We are
happy to answer any questions you may have and explore whether ISC is a good fit for you. We can
also put you in contact with students who have been through the ISC program if you are interested in
hearing a student’s perspective.
Michel Pleimling
Professor of Physics and the ISC Program Leader
Academy of Integrated Science
College of Science
pleim@vt.edu
540-231-2675
Nora Sullivan
Academic Program Advisor
Academy of Integrated Science
College of Science
nora84@vt.edu
540-231-2442
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Charlotte Parks
Academic Program Specialist
Academy of Integrated Science
College of Science
crobrtz@vt.edu
540-231-2551
What students are saying about ISC:
“What I like most about ISC is that we were able to bypass tedious memorization of biological
terms that are already covered by other classes in the biology department. The lectures taught us
to combine important ideas from different disciplines to answer interdisciplinary questions, which
is an important skill for collaborative efforts in research. I want others to know that the course is
more about learning to think and look at questions from novel perspectives, as opposed to the rote
memorization that is typically associated with 1000-level coursework.”
- Sarah Sam, Cohort II, biology and neuroscience double major
“I have benefited from ISC by learning how to incorporate different disciplines together with
more ease. The ISC program is very beneficial for those that are interested in research because
you learn how to ’speak' the language of different sciences making it a more pleasant and
positive experience. Through this program you are able to see how closely
all of the sciences and math are linked, which allows you to have a different perspective and see
the beauty in science.”
- Rachel Ladenburger, Cohort II, biology major
“I received one-on-one help from professors and TAs throughout the program through office
hours, Skype, review sessions, etc. With a small class size, getting to know classmates and
professors was easier. I made many close friends that I could study/do homework with. My
professors knew my name, my interests, my strengths and weaknesses, etc. and encouraged and
helped me to pursue research and job opportunities. The ISC labs were different than labs for
regular classes. I feel like I learned a lot through the labs. The experiments we conducted in ISC
lab were similar to experiments that I conducted in a real research lab at the Virginia Tech
Carilion Research Institute (VTCRI) last summer. I got a taste of what real research is like. I am
glad I finished the program, because I completed a lot of credits I need for my biology major. I
also gained lots of useful skills. My technical writing skills improved. Through many group
projects I learned how to work with others. I even learned a little bit of MATLAB® coding.”
-Emily Meeks, Cohort III, biology major
“Deciding to be part of the Integrated Science Curriculum was one of the best decisions I ever
made. I knew that the program was suited for me because I liked how the material was not just
memorized but you learned why it was that way. I also liked learning the incorporations of the
other sciences and math into each other. This made me have appreciation of the others sciences
while seeing why I needed to have these other classes although they were not my major. In
addition, the lab portion of ISC was conducted in a way of real research whereas many introductory
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labs are just small exercises rather than a real experiment. The program helped me gain confidence
in myself so that I feel prepared in higher level classes, know that I can ask questions no matter
how big of classes I am in, and feel prepared as I apply to graduate school. I have felt that my
upper level biology courses have been so much easier, and that I have a competitive edge over
students who were not in the program. Often the professors will ask if anyone has learned about a
certain topic and only the ISC students raise their hands. This shows that the program prepares you
more than just taking the introductory courses. The program also allowed me to get to know my
professors and peers. I feel that this helped me adjust better to college since I came from a small
high school. I think the professional relationships I gained have taught me a lot about science and
have been very rewarding while I also have gained friends with similar interests. Another great
thing about ISC is that the people in ISC have a wide range of majors, strengths, and backgrounds
which means you learn from your peers. I learned just as much from classmates as professors. ISC
is a great program for students who always want to learn about science. I have found that many
graduate programs think that this style of learning is fascinating and perhaps will make me stand
out.”
-Kristen Fisher, Cohort II, biology major
“The ISC program really helped in more than just an academic way. It was a great way to make
an awesome group of friends especially coming into such a large college. You immediately
realize you all have something in common and share many interests. It is also a great way to
connect with professors in a variety of areas of expertise. The ISC program gave me a new
perspective and outlook on how to approach academic material instead of just memorizing a list
of flash cards or working out a simple math problem. It taught me how to look at material in
different subjects through the lens of another subject. It made me feel like I had my own special
place at Virginia Tech and was not grouped into these large classrooms of students like most
other freshman. It taught me how important work ethic is and to really pay attention in class
because with such a small class size the professors and other students expect you to give 100%
all the time. Although I am finished with the ISC program I still keep in touch with many of the
students who went through the program with me as well as the students who are still currently
enrolled in the program. Finishing the program allowed me to continue to reach out and share my
experiences with others and be a source of information or simply a friend to someone just
starting a new chapter that I have now been through. Overall if I had to do it over again I would
absolutely chose to go through this same program.”
-Carrie Ceh, Cohort II, biology major
Scheduling of classes
All incoming freshman will receive a schedule tailored to their major during summer orientation, after
meeting with their advisor. If admitted to the ISC, your schedule will reflect the ISC (6-credit lecture
and 2-credit lab) course sequence. Typically, we remove any science or math courses on your schedule
that the ISC will cover (i.e., Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, Foundations of Physics,
Calculus, etc.). As we prepare your schedule we will be in contact with you via email with questions as
to what elective/CLE (Curriculum for Liberal Education) area you want. The goal is to provide admitted
ISC students a complete fall schedule before arriving on campus.
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ISC freshman seminar
For incoming freshmen, the first semester of college is full of change. It is very exciting, but can also
be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. In order to help ISC freshman have a successful transition
from high school to college, and to set them up for a successful college career, we have developed a 1credit freshman seminar open to all ISC students during their first semester. Professor Michel Pleimling
teaches this weekly 50-minute seminar and helps students navigate their first semester at Virginia Tech.
This seminar also teaches study skills and habits that will help you excel in ISC, in your chosen major
and in your career after graduation.
Fall 2015 important dates & deadlines
Monday August 24, 2015: First day of classes
Friday August 28, 2015: Last day to add a class to your schedule
Monday September 7, 2015: Labor Day, classes WILL meet
Friday October 2, 2015: Last day to drop a class from your schedule
Friday October 16, 2015: Fall break, no classes
Monday October 19, 2015: Last day to resign from the semester
Tuesday October 20, 2015: Opening of web course requests for spring 2016
Tuesday October 27, 2015: Closing of web course requests for spring 2016
Friday November 20, 2015: Last day to request rescheduling of final exams that conflict or constitute
three exams in 24 hours*
Monday November 23 – Friday November 27, 2015: Thanksgiving break, no classes
Wednesday December 9, 2015: Last day of classes
Thursday December 10, 2015: Reading day (no classes or exams)
Friday December 11, 2015: First day of exams
Thursday December 17, 2015: Last day of exams
Be Responsible!
Know the important dates and deadline affecting your registration at Virginia Tech. You can find the
dates listed above, along with any other important dates on the Registrar’s homepage:
http://www.registrar.vt.edu
Bookmark this page and refer to it often. Make sure to put all important dates on your calendar and refer
to it often so that you don’t miss something.
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*A note about final exams
Final exam information can be found on your schedule for the semester. Click on the box to the far right
of each course to find the time of the final exam. It is your responsibility to know when and where your
final exams will take place. Be sure to check your schedule early to know if you have any conflicting
exams or if you have three or more exams within 24 hours. If so, you may be allowed to change one or
more exams. See the College of Science website for an explanation of this policy.
http://www.science.vt.edu/student/student-final-exam-change.html
Please keep in mind that the deadline to request a final exam change is November 20, so you need to
pay attention to when your exams will be. We highly recommend you put your final exam schedule on
your calendar as soon as your schedule for the semester has been finalized and deal with any exam
changes as soon as possible. Please note that an exam change due to travel, business or family plans will
not be allowed. Please do not ask.
Hokie Spa
Hokie Spa is one of the most important resources you will use as a student at Virginia Tech. It is where
you will register for classes, see your grades, manage your housing and dining services, manage your
student account and more. Some tips and guidelines to using Hokie Spa are outlined here. If you need
to use Hokie Spa for things not outlined here, feel free to ask us for advice.

Your PID is the part of your email address before the @. For example, if your email is
johnsmith@vt.edu, your PID is johnsmith.

Your ID number is the 9 numbers on your Hokie ID.

Once you are logged into Hokie Spa, you will see a list of links you can click on to perform
different tasks. The following list explains most of these links and what you can use them for.

Guest Account Access: This is where you can give your parent/guardian permission to access
your Hokie Spa account. You can select which parts of Hokie Spa you want them to see.

Registration and Schedule: This is where you register for your classes. Before you are allowed
to register there are a number of requirements you need to complete. Make sure all the
registration requirements listed are green before registration opens or you will not be allowed to
register. The “timetable” will open a few days before the course request period opens. When
course request period opens you can select all the courses you want to take and for courses with
multiple sections you can request the sections that work best for you. A few days later you will
get your course request results. You will likely not get exactly what you requested, but please
try to make it work. The registration period can be overwhelming, so do not hesitate to reach
out to your advisor for help.

Grades Menu: This is where your grades are reported. All final grades are uploaded to Hokie
Spa a few days after the last day of exams. Please be patient and do not email your professor if
your final grade is not available the day after you take your final.
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
Degree Menu: This is where you can view your Degree Audit Reports (DARS). We highly
recommend running a “What If” DARS at least once every semester because it will tell you
whether or not you are on track to complete you chosen degree program on time.

Transcripts and Certifications Menu: This is where you can order copies of your official
transcript and view/print unofficial transcripts. Often scholarships and other programs you want
to apply for will require that you submit either an official or unofficial transcript.

FERPA Disclosure: Please fill this out right away. This is where you can choose who has
access to your academic record.

General Student Information: This is where all of your basic student information is stored. It
shows who your advisor is, whether you are in good academic standing or on probation, whether
or not you are registered for a given semester, your classes by credit, what you major is, what
you minor is (if you have one), etc. It’s always a good idea to periodically check that all of this
information is correct.

Student Conduct Notifications: This is where notifications from the Office of Student Conduct
are stored. Try to keep this section empty!

University Account Information: This is where you (or your parent/guardian) can pay your
tuition.

Financial Aid Information: This is where you (or your parent/guardian) can review the status
of your financial aid award.

Housing and Dining Services: This is where you complete your housing contract every year
your live on campus, and it is where your room assignment will be posted. This is also where
you can select your meal plan. Unless you have been granted an exception, all freshman are
required to live on campus and have a meal plan.

Personal Information: This is where you can update your address, phone number, email
addresses, emergency contact information, etc.

Information for New Students: This is a list of quick links you will need to access as a new
Virginia Tech student.

University Catalog Page: This is where you can view the full course catalog.

Student Organizations Menu: This is where you can apply for a fraternity or sorority. It is also
where you can reserve rooms if you are in a student club or organization.

Pathways Planner: This is where you can plan your pathway to graduation. Fill it out to the
best of your ability before you meet with your advisor. This is a great place to monitor your four
year plan and check off classes and requirements as you complete them. Your advisor will help
you with any questions you have and will help you create the best plan for you.
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Honor Code
Just like all classes and academic activities, the ISC strictly follows the Virginia Tech Honor
Code, which embodies a spirit of mutual trust and intellectual honesty that is central to the very
nature of the university, and represents the highest possible expression of shared values among
the members of the university community. The fundamental principles underlying and reflected
in the Honor Code are:
1) That trust in a person is a positive force in making that person worthy of trust,
2) That every student has the right to live in an academic environment that is free from the
injustices caused by any form of intellectual dishonesty, and
3) That the honesty and integrity of all members of the university community contribute to
its quest for Truth.
In order to uphold these beliefs, the Honor Code expressly forbids the following academic
violations:
1) Cheating: Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized aid or
assistance or the actual giving or receiving of any unfair advantage on any form or
academic work, or attempts thereof.
2) Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes the copying of language, structure, programming,
computer code, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off the same as one’s own
original work or attempts thereof.
3) Falsification: Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in
writing, with respect to any circumstances relevant to one’s academic work, or attempts
thereof. Such acts include, but are not limited to, the forgery of official signatures;
tampering with official records; fraudulently adding, deleting, or manipulating
information on academic work, or fraudulently changing an examination or other
academic work after the testing period or due date of the assignment.
For more information, questions or concerns regarding the honor code please visit:
http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu
Textbook Information
Currently, students need the following four textbooks for the two-year ISC program:
1) Physics for Scientist and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics
(3rd edition), ISBN-13 (9780321740908) by Knight
2) Biology (10th edition), ISBN-13 (9780073377605) by Raven et al.
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3) Chemical Principles (7th edition), ISBN-13 (9781111580650) by Zumdahl & Decoste
4) Modeling the Dynamics of Life: Calculus and Probability for Life Scientists (3rd Edition),
ISBN-13 (9780840064189) by Adler
ISC students enrolled in the ISC math supplement will also need:
 Calculus, 8th Edition, ISBN-13 (9781285741550) by Stewart
Who is involved with ISC?
The following people keep the ISC program running. Please feel free to contact any of us with
questions!
Name
Ttitle
Department
Email
Phone
Administration
Charlotte Parks
Academic Program Specialist
Nora Sullivan
Academic Program Advisor
Academy of Integrated
crobrtz@vt.edu
Science
Academy of Integrated
nora84@vt.edu
Science
540-231-2551
540-231-2442
Faculty and Instructors
Lara Anderson
Assistant Professor
Physics
lara137@vt.edu
Stanca Ciupe
Assistant Professor
Mathematics
stanca@math.vt.edu 540-231-3190
James Gray
Assistant Professor
Physics
grayphys@vt.edu
540-231-0618
Leanna House
Assistant Professor
Statistics
lhouse@vt.edu
540-231-2256
Rick Jensen
Professor
Biological Sciences
rvjensen@vt.edu
540-231-4614
Pavel Kraykivskiy Research Scientist
Biological Sciences
pavelkr@vt.edu
540-231-6398
Iuliana Lazar
Associate Professor
Biological Sciences
lazar@vt.edu
540-231-5077
Gary Long
Associate Dean
College of Science
long@vt.edu
540-231-7575
Will Mather
Assistant Professor
Physics
wmather@vt.edu
540-231-3332
Erik Nilsen
Professor
Biological Sciences
enilsen@vt.edu
540-231-5674
Michel Pleimling
Professor
Physics
pleim@vt.edu
540-231-2675
Florian Schubot
Associate Professor
Biological Sciences
fschubot@vt.edu
540-231-2393
Tatsu Takeuchi
Associate Professor
Physics
takeuchi@vt.edu
540-231-5333
Craig Tollin
Lab Coordinator
Academy of Integrated
ctollin@vt.edu
Science
540-231-6759
John Tyson
University Distinguished
Professor
Biological Sciences
540-231-4662
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tyson@vt.edu
540-231-0317
What happens if I leave ISC?
We don’t want you to leave ISC, but if you decide it is not the right fit for you and you want to
leave, you will earn credit for the following courses, depending on how many semesters of ISC
you complete.
After 1 semester:
MATH 1025
It is also possible to get equivalence for PHYS 2305 if you take the thermal physics module for
transfer students in the following winter term and successfully pass the written exam.
After 2 semesters:
MATH 1025
MATH 1026
CHEM 1035
CHEM 1045
PHYS 2305
After 3 semesters:
MATH 1025
MATH 1026
CHEM 1035
CHEM 1045
PHYS 2305
CHEM 1036
CHEM 1046
It is also possible to get equivalence for PHYS 2306 if you take the two modules on optics and waves
and sound for transfer students in the following winter term and successfully pass the written exams.
We hope you join ISC!
During its first four years, the ISC has been a great success at Virginia Tech. Students complete the
program well prepared to face complex scientific questions that cannot be confined to a single scientific
discipline. ISC students know how to think and work like scientists instead of simply being good at
absorbing material presented in lecture. If you enjoy approaching science from many different angles
and tackling large scale scientific challenges facing society today, the ISC is for you! We hope that you
will join us on our journey to change the way students and professors learn and teach science.
13
Complete 4-year ISC schedules
Suggested 4-year schedule for an ISC student working towards a Physics B.S.
Freshman Year
Fall
Spring
course
credits
course
credits
ISC 1105
ISC Lecture I
6
ISC 1106
ISC Lecture II
6
ISC 1115
ISC Lab I
2
ISC 1116
ISC Lab II
2
ISC 2984
ISC Math Supplement
1
MATH 1226 Calculus of a Single Variable
4
ENGL 1105 Freshman English
3
MATH 2114 Intro to Linear Algebra
3
PHYS 2325 Physics Freshman Seminar
1
PHYS 2974 Foundations of Physics
3
CLE Area 2 Course
3
PHYS 2326 Physics Freshman Seminar
1
total:
16
total:
19
Sophomore Year
ISC 2105
ISC Lecture III
6
ISC 2106
ISC Lecture IV
6
ISC 2115
ISC Lab III
1
ISC 2116
ISC Lab IV
1
MATH 2204 Intro to Multivariable Calculus
3
MATH 3214 Calculus of Several Variables
3
MATH 2214 Intro to Differential Equations
3
PHYS 3355 Intermediate Mechanics
3
PHYS 3324 Modern Physics
4
PHYS 2504 Mathematical Methods
3
total:
17
total:
16
Junior Year
Applied Complex Variables or
CS 1044, 1064, 1114, 1124 or ECE 1574
3
MATH 4984
1
MATH 4234 or 4574
Intermediate Lab or AOE 3054,
ENGL 1106 Freshman English
3
PHYS 3314 ECE 2204 or 2274, or ESM
3
3444
Operational Methods or
Intermediate Electricity &
MATH 4564
3
PHYS 3406
3
MATH 4425
Magnetism
Intermediate Mechanics or
PHYS 3356
3
PHYS 3704 Thermal Physics
3
ESM 3134 or 4114
Intermediate Electricity &
PHYS 3405
3
PHYS 4455 Intro to Quantum Mechanics
3
Magnetism or ECE 3104
total:
15
total:
13
Senior Year
PHYS 4315 Modern Experimental Physics
2
PHYS 4316 Modern Experimental Physics
2
PHYS 4456 Intro to Quantum Mechanics
3
PHYS 4000+
3
PHYS 4000+
3
CLE Area 2 Course
3
CLE Area 3 Course
3
CLE Area 3 Course
3
CLE Area 6 Course
3
CLE Area 7 Course
3
total:
14
total:
14
TOTAL CREDITS:
124
14
course
ISC 1105
ISC 1115
ISC 2984
ENGL 1105
ISC 2105
ISC 2115
BIOL 2004
CHEM 2535
CHEM 2545
BIOL 2104
^BIOL 2304,
STAT 3615
Suggested 4-year schedule for an ISC student working towards a Biology B.S.
Freshman Year
Fall
Spring
credits
course
credits
ISC Lecture I
6
ISC 1106
ISC Lecture II
6
ISC Lab I
2
ISC 1116
ISC Lab II
2
ISC Freshman Seminar
1
**BIOL 1106 Principles of Biology
3
Freshman English
3
ENGL 1106 Freshman English
3
*CLE Area Course
3
*CLE Area Course
3
total:
15
total:
17
Sophomore Year
ISC Lecture III
6
ISC 2106
ISC Lecture IV
6
ISC Lab III
1
ISC 2116
ISC Lab IV
1
Genetics or BIOL 2804 Ecology
3
BIOL 2804 Ecology or BIOL 2004 Genetics
3
Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 2536 Organic Chemistry
3
Organic Chemistry Lab
1
CHEM 2546 Organic Chemistry Lab
1
*CLE Area Course
3
total:
14
total:
17
Junior Year
Cell and Molecular Biology
3
BIOL 2704 Evolutionary Biology
3
2504, or 2604
3
^#BIOL Elective with Lab
4
Biological Statistics
3
^BIOL Elective
3
*CLE Area Course
3
*CLE Area Course
3
Free Elective
3
Free Elective
3
total:
15
total:
16
Senior Year
^#BIOL Elective with Lab
4
^#BIOL Elective with Lab
4
^BIOL Elective
3
^BIOL Elective
3
*CLE Area Course
3
Free Elective
3
Free Elective
3
Free Elective
3
total:
13
total:
13
TOTAL CREDITS:
120
*Students must complete two Area 2 courses (6 credits), two Area 3 courses (6 credits), onw Area 6 course (3
credits), and one Area 7 course (3 credits) in any order. Area 1 is fulfilled by ENGL 1105-1106, Area 4 is
fulfilled by ISC 1105/1115/1106/1116, and Area 5 is fulfilled by ISC.
**BIOL majors in ISC must also complete BIOL 1106.
^BIOL majors must complete at least 22 biology elective credits.
#BIOL majors must complete at least three biology laboratory courses in addition to ISC 1115/1116/2115/2116
15
Suggested 4-year schedule for an ISC student working towards a Microbiology B.S.
Freshman Year
Fall
Spring
course
credits
course
credits
ISC 1105
ISC Lecture I
6
ISC 1106
ISC Lecture II
6
ISC 1115
ISC Lab I
2
ISC 1116
ISC Lab II
2
ISC 2984
ISC Freshman Seminar
1
**BIOL 1106 Principles of Biology
3
ENGL 1105 Freshman English
3
ENGL 1106 Freshman English
3
*CLE Area Course
3
total:
15
total:
14
Sophomore Year
ISC 2105
ISC Lecture III
6
ISC 2106
ISC Lecture IV
6
ISC 2115
ISC Lab III
1
ISC 2116
ISC Lab IV
1
Cell and Molecular Biology or
BIOL 2604 General Microbiology
3
BIOL 2104
3
BIOL 2004 Genetics
BIOL 2614 General Microbiology Lab
1
CHEM 2536 Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 2535 Organic Chemistry
3
CHEM 2546 Organic Chemistry Lab
1
CHEM 2545 Organic Chemistry Lab
1
total:
15
total:
14
Junior Year
BCHM 3114 Biochemistry for Biotechnology or BIOL
3
BIOL
4624 Microbial
4634 Microbial
Genetics Physiology
3
1
Genetics or BIOL 2104 Cell
MICB Core Restricted
BIOL 2004
3
4
and Molecular Biology
Elective with Lab
STAT 3615 Biological Statistics
3
*CLE Area Course
3
*CLE Area Course
3
*CLE Area Course
3
Free Elective
3
Free Elective
3
total:
15
total:
16
Senior Year
Microbial Molecular Genetics
3
BIOL 4674 Pathogenic Bacteriology
3
3
BIOL 4644 and Physiology Lab
1
Microbial Genetics or BCHM
MICB Core Restricted
BIOL 4624
3
4
3114
Elective with Lab
1
2
1
MICB Core Restricted Elective
3
BIOL 4724 Pathogenic Bacteriology Lab
2
BIOL 4764 Microbiology Senior Seminar
2
*CLE Area Course
3
*CLE Area Course
3
Free Elective
3
Free Elective
3
total:
15
total:
16
TOTAL CREDITS:
120
*Students must complete two Area 2 courses (6 credits), two Area 3 courses (6 credits), one Area 6 course (3
credits), and one Area 7 course (3 credits) in any order. Area 1 is fulfilled by ENGL 1105-1106, Area 4 is
fulfilled by ISC 1105/1115/1106/1116, and Area 5 is fulfilled by ISC.
**MICB majors interested in health professions should consider completing BIOL 1106 in the spring of the
freshman year to insure adequate background in animal and plant physiology for MCAT and DAT tests.
Students who elect not to take BIOL 1106 will instead need to complete three free elective credits.
1
MICB majors must complete 3 Core Restricted electives, 2 of which must include a laboratory component.
2
MICB majors must complete either BIOL 4674+4724 in the fall or BIOL 4704+4714 in the spring.
3
MICB majors must complete either BIOL 4644 or BIOL 3774 and 3104.
16