Valencia Courses – 2025 Fall
Academics
Students will enroll in 12 to 18 credits comprised of one or two language courses plus electives in STEM, and Spanish culture. One Spanish language course is required. Elementary Spanish I&II or Intermediate Spanish I&II may be completed in a single semester. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.
Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.
Spanish Language Courses
- FallSpanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in SpanishSpringSpanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish
This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.
- FallSpanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in SpanishSpringSpanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish
This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.
Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- FallSpanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in SpanishSpringSpanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.
Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- FallSpanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in SpanishSpringSpanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.
Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- FallSpanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in SpanishSpringSpanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
Coming Soon
- FallSpanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in SpanishSpringSpanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course is designed for students who may manage in daily tasks and interactions, but still need to improve their control over different oral and written registers. In addition, these courses will offer them the opportunity to enhance their vocabulary in specific and technical areas, and to improve grammatical accuracy in their oral and written expression.
Prerequisite: six semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
Fall Semester Electives
- FallMathematics 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMathematics 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Introductory course emphasizing techniques of linear algebra with applications to engineering; topics include matrix operations, determinants, linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors, inner products, norms, and orthogonality.
Linear algebra might be considered a mathematical toolkit for analyzing data and geometry. In virtually every area of human endeavor, data and geometry are or can be used to further understanding and to assist in making predictions. Indeed, linear algebra is behind the majority of technical and scientific discoveries.
Prerequisites: two semesters of college-level calculus
- FallMathematics 200-level 4 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMathematics 200-level 4 credits Taught in English
This course is a continuation of Calculus II, infinite series, three-dimensional calculus.
Emphasis in this course will be placed on understanding the underlying concepts rather than memorization: knowing why the key is to knowing how.
Prerequisite: Calculus II (passed with at least a C-)
- FallMathematics 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMathematics 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Theory and solving techniques for constant and variable coefficient linear equations, a variety of non-linear equations. Emphasis on those differential equations arising from real-world phenomena, particularly in Engineering applications.
Prerequisite: Calculus II (passed with at least a C-) Calculus III recommended
- FallMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
The overall goal of this course is for you to learn how formulate and solve the equations of motion (i.e. the differential equations) that describe motion of a system of particles and/or rigid bodies. To do this you will use Newton’s laws and the principles of work-energy and impulse-momentum to solve a variety of problems involving both the kinematics and kinetics of a system of particles and/or rigid bodies in two and three dimensions.
Prerequisite: Statics, Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, and Calculus II
Co-requisite: Calculus III
- FallGeneral Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringGeneral Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Describing the conceptual internal structure of materials, its evolution into the real model of microstructure in order to understand the dependence of properties upon these structures. Connecting properties to the behavior of materials in service and materials selection.
Prerequisite: General Chemistry I and lab, introductory college-level course in general chemistry for scientists and engineers
- FallMechanical Engineering 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMechanical Engineering 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Principles of engineering thermodynamics: a study of the first and second laws, entropy, ideal and real gases
- FallChemistry 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed for first-semester general chemistry students whose academic plans require advanced study in chemistry. Fundamentals of chemistry including reaction stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, states of matter, intermolecular forces, solutions, and thermochemistry will be covered.
The Laboratory Course: concurrent enrollment in General Chemistry Laboratory I is required with General Chemistry I except by prior department approval. These are co-requisites, if one course is dropped, the other must be dropped as well, no matter the level of success in that course.
Co-requisite: General Chemistry I Lab
- Fall100-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course provides the laboratory component to accompany General Chemistry I. It examines the fundamentals of chemistry including reaction stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, states of matter, and thermochemistry.
Co-requisite: General Chemistry I
- FallPhysics 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course provides an introduction to physics for engineers, especially in the fields of mechanics, which includes kinematics, motion in one and two dimensions, dynamics, the laws of motion, energy, conservation of energy, rotation of a rigid object and angular momentum, statics and elasticity, fluid mechanics, oscillations, and mechanical waves. This course aims to teach basic concepts for understanding the physical world. The acquisition of specific skills and understanding of the material is crucial to problem-solving ability. The lectures are oriented toward helping students understand the concepts and how to solve problems.
Prerequisite: Calculus I
Co-requisite: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I
- FallPhysics 100-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpringPhysics 100-level 1 credit Taught in English
The purpose of the physics laboratory is to allow students to witness the concepts and physical laws introduced in the lecture. Students will also be exposed to elementary laboratory techniques. Every class will have a short course introducing the procedures, concepts, formulas, and instructions relevant to the experiment. The lecture will also cover what is expected in your lab report. Attendance and participation are mandatory. Experiments will usually be performed in pairs, but each student will turn in an individual lab report.
Co-requisite: Physics for Scientists & Engineers I
This course has an additional fee
- FallPhysics 100-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringPhysics 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
Physics for Scientists and Engineers II is an introductory, calculus-based physics course covering mainly electromagnetism and matter. Topics include:
• Thermodynamics (laws, kinetic theory, states of matter).
• Electrostatics and electrodynamics (charge, fields, force, potential, current, dielectrics, circuit elements).
• Magnetism (fields, forces, sources, materials).
• Electromagnetic oscillations.
Prerequisite: Calculus II and Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
Co-requisite: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II
- FallPhysics 100-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpringPhysics 100-level 1 credit Taught in English
The purpose of the physics laboratory is to allow students to witness the concepts and physical laws introduced in the lecture. You will also be exposed to elementary laboratory techniques. Every class will have a short course introducing the procedures, concepts, formulas, and instructions relevant to the experiment. The lecture will also cover what is expected in your lab report. Attendance and participation are mandatory. Experiments will usually be performed in groups, but each student will turn in an individual lab report.
Co-requisite: Physics for Scientists & Engineers II
This course has an additional fee
- FallAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will develop student understanding of topics related to contemporary Spanish culture and civilization. Students will build a strong theoretical and historical foundation to effectively analyze life in Spain in the present, and the changes that have taken place in society related politics, religion, economy, and society.
- FallMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
The engineering of humanity’s superstructure marvels all started with the basic statics of equilibrium (Newton’s First Law). This introductory course on statics (required of most engineering and architecture programs) includes topics of force decomposition, equilibrium of force systems, friction, centroids, moments of inertia, cables, beams, fluid statics, and work.
Prerequisite: One semester of college-level physics and Calculus II
- Fall100-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpring100-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course is offered by a local windsurfing school at one of the best surfing locations for beginners: Valencia. The class will meet 11 times for 2.5 hours each session. The programmed order of sessions is subject to changes for reasons beyond our control, such as inclement weather, strong rip currents, etc. The windsurf school will provide all necessary equipment (including wetsuits), as well as a changing area and a locker room.
This course has an additional fee
Spring Semester Electives
- FallMathematics 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMathematics 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Introductory course emphasizing techniques of linear algebra with applications to engineering; topics include matrix operations, determinants, linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors, inner products, norms, and orthogonality.
Linear algebra might be considered a mathematical toolkit for analyzing data and geometry. In virtually every area of human endeavor, data and geometry are or can be used to further understanding and to assist in making predictions. Indeed, linear algebra is behind the majority of technical and scientific discoveries.
Prerequisites: two semesters of college-level calculus
- FallMathematics 200-level 4 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMathematics 200-level 4 credits Taught in English
This course is a continuation of Calculus II, infinite series, three-dimensional calculus.
Emphasis in this course will be placed on understanding the underlying concepts rather than memorization: knowing why the key is to knowing how.
Prerequisite: Calculus II (passed with at least a C-)
- FallMathematics 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMathematics 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Theory and solving techniques for constant and variable coefficient linear equations, a variety of non-linear equations. Emphasis on those differential equations arising from real-world phenomena, particularly in Engineering applications.
Prerequisite: Calculus II (passed with at least a C-) Calculus III recommended
- FallMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
The overall goal of this course is for you to learn how formulate and solve the equations of motion (i.e. the differential equations) that describe motion of a system of particles and/or rigid bodies. To do this you will use Newton’s laws and the principles of work-energy and impulse-momentum to solve a variety of problems involving both the kinematics and kinetics of a system of particles and/or rigid bodies in two and three dimensions.
Prerequisite: Statics, Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, and Calculus II
Co-requisite: Calculus III
- FallGeneral Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringGeneral Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Describing the conceptual internal structure of materials, its evolution into the real model of microstructure in order to understand the dependence of properties upon these structures. Connecting properties to the behavior of materials in service and materials selection.
Prerequisite: General Chemistry I and lab, introductory college-level course in general chemistry for scientists and engineers
- FallMechanical Engineering 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMechanical Engineering 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Principles of engineering thermodynamics: a study of the first and second laws, entropy, ideal and real gases
- Spring100-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed for general chemistry students whose academic plans require advanced study in chemistry. Fundamentals of chemistry including reaction stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, states of matter, intermolecular forces, solutions, and thermochemistry will be covered.
The Laboratory Course: concurrent enrollment in General Chemistry Laboratory II is required with General Chemistry II except by prior department approval. These are co-requisites, if one course is dropped, the other must be dropped as well, no matter the level of success in that course.
Prerequisite: General Chemistry I and lab, or equivalent
Co-requisite: General Chemistry II Lab
- Spring100-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course provides the laboratory component to accompany General Chemistry II in examining the fundamentals of chemistry including solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and properties of inorganic and organic compounds.
Co-requisite: General Chemistry II
- FallPhysics 100-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringPhysics 100-level 3 credits Taught in English
Physics for Scientists and Engineers II is an introductory, calculus-based physics course covering mainly electromagnetism and matter. Topics include:
• Thermodynamics (laws, kinetic theory, states of matter).
• Electrostatics and electrodynamics (charge, fields, force, potential, current, dielectrics, circuit elements).
• Magnetism (fields, forces, sources, materials).
• Electromagnetic oscillations.
Prerequisite: Calculus II and Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
Co-requisite: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II
- FallPhysics 100-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpringPhysics 100-level 1 credit Taught in English
The purpose of the physics laboratory is to allow students to witness the concepts and physical laws introduced in the lecture. You will also be exposed to elementary laboratory techniques. Every class will have a short course introducing the procedures, concepts, formulas, and instructions relevant to the experiment. The lecture will also cover what is expected in your lab report. Attendance and participation are mandatory. Experiments will usually be performed in groups, but each student will turn in an individual lab report.
Co-requisite: Physics for Scientists & Engineers II
This course has an additional fee
- FallAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will develop student understanding of topics related to contemporary Spanish culture and civilization. Students will build a strong theoretical and historical foundation to effectively analyze life in Spain in the present, and the changes that have taken place in society related politics, religion, economy, and society.
- FallMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringMechanical Engineering 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
The engineering of humanity’s superstructure marvels all started with the basic statics of equilibrium (Newton’s First Law). This introductory course on statics (required of most engineering and architecture programs) includes topics of force decomposition, equilibrium of force systems, friction, centroids, moments of inertia, cables, beams, fluid statics, and work.
Prerequisite: One semester of college-level physics and Calculus II
- Fall100-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSpring100-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course is offered by a local windsurfing school at one of the best surfing locations for beginners: Valencia. The class will meet 11 times for 2.5 hours each session. The programmed order of sessions is subject to changes for reasons beyond our control, such as inclement weather, strong rip currents, etc. The windsurf school will provide all necessary equipment (including wetsuits), as well as a changing area and a locker room.
This course has an additional fee
To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
Workshops
(Not for credit)
- FallSpring
Please join us for a fun workshop that introduces local Spanish cuisine in a hands-on kitchen environment. Authentic preparations and tastings of several local dishes including paella valenciana, lentejas estofadas con chorizo, and semifrío de chocolate y coco will be taught. The chef will provide insight on local food customs and traditions while giving you the opportunity to learn how to prepare this at home along with to enjoy it in class!
Internships
For eligibility requirements and application information, see the USAC internship page.
For more information about placement options, see the Valencia internship page.
- FallInternships 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSpringInternships 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
USAC skills-based internships abroad are designed to complement a student’s program of study while providing a structured work or field experience under the direction of a professional supervisor and with the oversight and support of an on-site USAC internship coordinator.
USAC internships facilitate the academic and professional development of students through:
1) the practical application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a professional work environment.
2) the further development of practical competencies essential to the ongoing work of the placement site.
3) the cultivation of a network of professional contacts.
USAC internships will expose students to the workplace culture, norms, and expectations of their respective placement site and host country, deepening cross-cultural understanding and helping students develop intercultural communication and language skills in an internationally focused organization or other professional work setting.
Through the consistent participation in the processes and practices of a professional field, students will acquire a working knowledge of that field and will apply that learning to their own career and academic choices and goals.
This course has an additional fee