Overview

1st year students enroll in two semesters of the 1-credit Colloquium and consider which STS CORE supplemental courses to take. 2nd year students enroll in the 3-credit Capstone course and the 1-credit Practicum course, and take the remaining STS CORE supplemental courses.

Citations are awarded after completing all requirements, typically in the summer after the 2nd year. Students must earn an overall GPA of 3.0 to earn the Citation.

1st year

The STS program's 2-semester Colloquium introduces 1st year students to experts in science and technology and key analytical concepts in STS. Students visit laboratories on campus, hold a debate, write short papers, and help to lead class discussion. The topic of the Fall 2009 Colloquium is electricity and water resources.

Students must fulfill the CORE SB requirement before enrolling in the Capstone as sophomores, so students who want to enroll in the Capstone course in Fall 2010 must fulfill the CORE SB requirement in the 2009-2010 academic year. See the citation requirements!

The English and Sociology departments enable Scholars STS students to take English 101S and Sociology 101S, which are sections reserved for Scholars students.

In Colloquium, freshmen should pay attention to the short presentations about undergraduate research and community-based service learning. Field trips also provide opportunities to learn about research and service. During the spring 2010 advising meeting, freshmen should be ready to discuss the 2nd year practicum option.

Prepare for summer internship
Freshmen should apply for work or service internships that occur during the summer; if you obtain an internship, you will be able to earn practicum credit for it during sophomore year. You will find some internship opportunities listed here, but your main resource should be the University Career Center and Engineering Co-op and Career Services.

2nd year

In the Practicum, 2nd year students first learn a technical skill, and then apply it and write a reflection paper about the process; see the detailed course descriptions above. 2nd year students also enroll in the Capstone course that deepens their understanding of STS. Each student chooses a topic of particular interest and pursues a project of research and communicating their findings in an academic term paper. Students also interpret their findings through a formal oral report, a graphic poster presentation, and by presenting data. The Capstone posters are shown at the annual Scholars Academic Showcase.

2nd year practicum option

Sophomores may design a 2-credit practicum. This is designed for students engaged in community-based service learning, who expect to work with one organization over the course of an academic year. It is a great way to earn credit for service you would pursue anyway. The STS Program especially promotes 1-year commitments with GEMS and with Engaged University, which provide opportunities for hands-on activities and mentoring. See CPSP 249T Sec. 0201 for names of additional activities.

Petitions

If you are missing citation requirements at the end of sophomore year, for example because of a slightly low GPA or a missing STS CORE Supporting Course, you may petition the STS director about extending the time frame to complete your Scholars requirements. If you would like to request that a similar course be substituted for one of the listed STS CORE supplemental courses, you must file a petition that includes a copy of the syllabus. Email Dr. Mendelsohn with your inquiry or request.