Learning Community Options
Biological Sciences
Each Biological Sciences LC is small (up to 10 members). The members attend the same BIOS 170 lecture and lab sections, the same CHEM 150 or 151 course (depending on placement results) and a specially designed learning community course, BIOS 110A. In BIOS 110A, members participate in activities that are designed to help them learn the language of biology, master the BIOS 170 course material and develop their own learning and critical thinking skills. Past BIOS 110A students have averaged 5-10% better exam grades in BIOS 170 than students not enrolled in Learning Communities.
An academically successful upper-class biology major will serve as a mentor to help group members adjust to this very challenging major. In addition, group members will have access to a peer-led tutoring lab (PLTL) with the more difficult science courses, CHEM 150 and 151 and BIOS 170.
Chemistry – Pre-Professional
The Chemistry Pre-Professional Learning Community you will take four academic classes in the fall and the special course totaling 15-17 hours. The classes are Chem 151 (dependent on performance on chemistry placement exam taken at Precollege Orientation), math (based on your entry level), Bios 170, an elective and the special one-credit Chem 151 Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) course. The PLTL course is called Chem 100D and meets for two hours weekly.
Chemistry - Forensic
The Forensic Chemistry Learning Community involves four academic classes in the fall and the special course totaling 15-17 hours. The classes are Chem 151 (dependent on performance on chemistry placement exam taken at Precollege Orientation), math (based on your entry level), Law Enforcement Technology (LET 105), Bios 170 or an elective and the special one-credit Chem 151 Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) course.
In both Chemistry LCs, You and seven other chemistry majors in the Learning Community will have a peer mentor. The mentor is a student who has taken the course previously and who has been trained to conduct the sessions, in order to guide your group through a set of challenging problems designed by the professor.
Students who take the Chemistry PLTL course tend to perform better in the course than those students who choose not to enroll in the PLTL course. Your classmates will become your colleagues and study partners as you begin to move through the chemistry curriculum. The learning community experience is an extremely valuable contributor to students’ future success. Statistical studies show that students who participate do better in their classes and are more likely to continue their studies. Even more importantly, students who participate are on their way to developing the professional skills and attitudes that are critical to their success after graduation.
English
TheEnglish Learning Community is available to the first 20 interested English students and includes a one-hour seminar course (UC 190), as well as two required courses (English 152 and English 250) for English majors. The seminar course is taught by an experienced faculty member who not only explores with the participants the manycareer opportunities available to them and introduces other faculty members, but also assists the students in planning their future classschedules.
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Foreign Languages and Intercultural Connections
This learning community brings together students who are passionate about languages and exploring the world first-hand. Students in the group are learning different languages at various levels and have a common interest in communicating with people in other countries while preparing for careers that incorporate their linguistic abilities and intercultural skills. The main course of the community is taught by one of our leading foreign language instructors. Students also take a common general education course together.
History
Students in a History learning community will take their introductory history course, HIS 121, with other history majors. In addition, the main course of the community, the learning community seminar (UC 190) will be instructed by a member in the department to allow for informal discussions about history and other relevant topics. The third course of the cluster will be one that meets the college requirements.
Political Science
Students in a Political Science learning community will take their introductory political science course, POLS 101, with other political science majors. In addition, the main course of the community, the learning community seminar (UC 190) will be instructed by a top faculty member in the department. The third course of the cluster will be one that meets the college requirements.
Psychology
This learning community is offered to the first 20 interested psychology students and includes a one-hour seminar course (PSY 110) instructed by one of the top faculty members in the department. PSY 110 meets for an hour each week to discuss psychology as a field of study. Topics will include the rich variety of sub-disciplines that make up the field of psychology as well as how to prepare for a career in psychology. Students in this LC will also be guaranteed enrollment in two other courses: Introductory Psychology (PSY101) and Human Biology (BIOS103.) Both courses satisfy requirements for the psychology major.
Social Work
The Social Work Learning Community consists of ALL of the social work majors. Combining the introductory Social Work course (SW 101) and the required Biological Sciences course (BIOS 103), the learning community allows students to work together and assist each other in courses. The learning community seminar course is taught by a member of the social work department and becomes a focal point for discussion and learning.
Tropical Biology and Environmental Issues
This learning community is designed to educate students on major principles of tropical biology, regional ecological processes, tropical diversity, and environmental issues at the interface of human existence and natural tropical systems. Different from the other learning communities, this program includes Fall quarter courses as well as a winter intersession field course in Panama. There are additional fees associated with this learning community. For more information, please e-mail <learning.communities@ohio.edu>
Other majors
General A&S Learning communities will be available for interested students and many will be targeted toward specific disciplines. In all of these options, a learning community seminar course, a major-specific course, and one (and in some cases, two) college requirements will be linked.
Undecided Student LCs
Consisting of a learning community seminar as well as two college-required courses, all of the undecided students in Arts and Sciences will participate in a LC where you will explore the career development process and the many majors available at Ohio University. This will provide you with an opportunity to make an informed decision about your major!
