Valencia Courses – 2025 Summer – Research Assistantship

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Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

See below for STEM research assistantship program details

Courses

You may take three to six credits per session. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. 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 and Culture Studies

Summer language courses are intensive, with one to five credits of Spanish taught in each session. Language courses generally have a maximum enrollment of 15 students each. Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills is highly recommended to complement Intermediate Spanish I through Advanced Spanish II.

Sessions I and II

• Intermediate Spanish I

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 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

• Intermediate Spanish II

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 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

• Advanced Spanish I

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 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

• Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is an optional course that complements the development of the linguistic skills facilitated in Spanish classes, emphasizing the verbal mode of the Spanish language. It aims to improve students' ability to maintain a sustained monologue as well as social interactions.

  Prerequisite: Two semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent, or instructor approval

• Public Health in Spain

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is for students interested in health and its various subfields (medicine, public health, bioethics, medical humanities, psychology, health law, politics, etc.). It provides the student with language competence to communicate in specific medical activities in different contexts. Moreover, there will be a strong focus on analyzing the Spanish health system and its current changes. It will also focus on the differences with the US health system and the cultural differences between these countries and between the Hispanic communities living in the US. Finally, there will be a focus on the current legislation of the Spanish public healthcare system, which students will compare with other public systems.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Windsurfing in the Mediterranean Sea

  Summer Session I

  100-level 1 credit Taught in English

  Summer Session II

  100-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

Science, Engineering, Math and Business Electives

The following courses offer a wide range of subject matter to provide a multidisciplinary perspective to your studies.

Session I

• Biotechnology: Ethics and Social Implications

  Summer Session I

  Biology Chemistry 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field that has a profound impact on healthcare, the environment, and the economy. However, with every scientific advancement, safety and ethical concerns arise. Topics covered include but are not limited to genetic engineering, cloning, stem cell research, production of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, the human genome project, bioremediation, food biotechnology, and biofuels. For each topic, students will learn the fundamental scientific principles underlying each and debate on the societal implications, ethics, commercialization, regulation, and animal and environmental welfare in relation to modern biotechnology applications.

• Differential Equations

  Summer Session I

  Mathematics 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Summer Session II

  Mathematics 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

• Calculus II

  Summer Session I

  Mathematics 100-level 4 credits Taught in English

  This course is a Continuation of Calculus I; transcendental functions, methods of integration, conics, vectors.

Session II

• Applied Linear Algebra

  Summer Session II

  Mathematics 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: Calculus III

• Differential Equations

  Summer Session I

  Mathematics 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Summer Session II

  Mathematics 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

• Statics

  Summer Session II

  Mechanical 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: general physics and one semester of college calculus

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

Workshops

(Not for credit)

• Spanish Cuisine and the Mediterranean Diet

  Summer Session I

  Summer – Research Assistantship

  Summer Session II

  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!

Summer STEM Research Assistantship Program

• Term: Summer Session I & II (8 weeks) Students must complete both summer sessions
• Deadline: March 15, 2025 (late applications may be considered)
• Program fee: See Summer Research Assistantship Budget Sheet

Apply Now

For more information on eligibility requirements and application process see the USAC internship page.