Academic Information

Registration

All students registered for CSI in the are enrolled in classes; class registration is based on academic major. For registration questions, please contact The Citadel Registrar’s Office at (843) 953-6969 or registrar@citadel.edu.

Confidentiality

In accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), information about individual CSI students will only be shared with those members of the Citadel community who are acting in the students’ educational interest. To release any information about a CSI student to an individual outside the Citadel community, the CSI program requires a signed confidentiality waiver indicating the specific individuals to whom information may be released. 

Academic Courses

Please review the Freshman Assessments and Placements website prior to your arrival on campus for CSI.

All CSI students are required to take academic courses which help to ease the transition between high school academics and the academic requirements at The Citadel. Students work on writing, reading, and study skills while adjusting to college-level work in a supportive environment. Students are encouraged to work with both their professors and CSI support staff to excel academically.

Classes

All CSI students participate in:

RPED 110: Individualized Physical Education (0-credit). This Physical Training course “PT” provides an individualized approach to health-related aspects of fitness, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular and muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, and body composition. This will satisfy a cadet graduation requirement.

LDRS 101: First-Year Experience (1-credit). This is a required for all Citadel Freshman. Taking LDRS 101 during CSI lightens the student’s fall class load. Students will work on time management, reading, active listening, note-taking, test-taking, academic advising, computer competency, library services, and research.
Students in the1842 Scholars or Honors programs participate in an alternative class (0-credit) during this time which satisfies their graduation requirement.

All CSI students take an additional 3-4 academic credits. Based on the student’s major, students are enrolled in either two classes (one 3-credit and one 0-credit cadet graduation requirement) or one class (one 4-credit). Course descriptions are based on the 2023-2024 Academic Catalog.

3-credit hour class descriptions

CSCI 227: Principles and Practices of Cybersecurity. This course will provide an introduction to concepts related to cybersecurity. Students will learn safe practices which can be deployed to secure computer systems. Students will gain an understanding of different tools which can be used to defend attacks on computer systems. Special emphasis will be given to systems and applications that cyber users will be likely to encounter in daily life.

COMM 205: Leaders in Public Speaking. Public Speaking is a skill sought in today’s leaders, yet most never receive proper training on communicating their goals to diverse audiences in an effective and appropriate manner. Leaders in Public Speaking will help cadets understand the basics of Public Speaking–purpose, audience, message, organization, and engagement–all while challenging them to use their communication skills in a professional and ethical manner as future leaders of their communities. 

INTL 201: Intro to Intelligence Studies. A broad overview of the intelligence gathering and analysis as practiced by agencies of the United States government, to include its purpose, history, and potential benefits. The organizational makeup of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC); the laws guidelines and ethics pertaining to intelligence collection.

LDRS 202: Principled Leadership in American Government. An interdisciplinary examination of civic leadership and ethics in America from the founding of the country to the present. The course will consider the basic frameworks of Citizen-leadership through the creation and implementation of central documents of governance.

MATH 105: An introduction to finite mathematics with an emphasis on applications and formulation of problems in mathematical language. Students are taught a variety of topics, including mathematics of finance, counting methods, probability, and statistics. The course also includes lab assignments using a computer software package. Required for all Business Majors. This course does not require a math placement exam (MPE) score for placement.

MATH 118: This course will prepare students for Precalculus (MATH 119).  Topics will focus on basic properties of linear, quadratic, higher degree polynomial, and rational functions.  Students will have a good understanding of these properties verbally, numerically, algebraically, and graphically, and know how to apply these properties to real world applications. This course does not require a math placement exam (MPE) score for placement.

RPED 260: Fitness Resiliency Wellness. This course provides cadets with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to achieve and maintain physical and mental strength and endurance necessary to attain optimum functioning of their bodies and minds.

STAT 160: An elementary treatment of probability and statistical concepts. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability basics, population distribution, sampling distribution, and hypothesis testing for population mean. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the fundamental concepts in statistics and interpretation of statistical results. Excel/calculators are used for computation. Required for biology, Education-health and human performance, Exercise Science, nursing, all business programs, psychology, and political science. This course does not require a math placement exam (MPE) score for placement.

0-credit cadet graduation requirement class descriptions

RPED 155: Transformational Leadership is an introduction to skill sets designed to help first year cadets improve their health and happiness, so they become more effective leaders. This course relies heavily on self-assessment, self-reflection, and group discussion. This will satisfy a cadet graduation requirement

4-credit hour class descriptions

Math 119: The goal of this course is to prepare students majoring in mathematics, sciences, and engineering for the required calculus sequence. Topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs, with emphasis on conceptual understanding and algebraic skills necessary for success in calculus. Students in the majors above will normally start their mathematics track in Analytic Geometry and Calculus I. Required for all engineering programs, BS Chemistry, Cyber Operations, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics.

*Students MUST take the Math Placement Exam (MPE) prior to the start of CSI, which determines placement in the 4-credit MATH class. Information regarding the MPE can be found here. For additional MPE questions or technical assistance, please contact Professor Melissa Myrick at mmyrick@citadel.edu.

Due to the short duration of the CSI semester, class changes will ONLY be allowed, when absolutely necessary, in the first two days of classes. For questions regarding classes, please contact The Citadel Registrar’s Office at (843) 953-6969 or registrar@citadel.edu.

Math Placement Exam (MPE)

All students in the following programs are required to complete the MPE to be placed into either MATH 118 or MATH 119, depending on MPE score.

  • Chemistry (B.S.)
  • Chemistry (Biochemical Concentration)
  • Chemistry (Clinical Concentration)
  • Chemistry (Environmental Concentration)
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Engineering
  • Cyber Operations
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physics

Students who take the MPE will be placed into either MATH 118 or MATH 119 based on MPE score. Students attending CSI with no MPE score will be placed in MATH 118. Students taking MATH 105 or STAT 160 are not required to take the MPE.

Additional students who may need to take the MPE include those:

  • Considering the pursuit of a minor in Applied Mathematics or Applied Statistics
  • Earning an American Chemical Society certificate as a Chemistry (B.A.) major
  • Considering the pursuit of a Navy scholarship

MPE Preparation and Registration:

If you fall into any of the categories mentioned above, you must take the MPE before your arrival on campus. For detailed information on this proctored exam, please visit Math Placement Exam Information. Before taking the MPE, make sure you have access to your Citadel Canvas account. You will receive an email notification once your account has been created. Please monitor the email address you used when applying to The Citadel.

Incoming freshmen students will have access to the Math Readiness Program, dates TDB for 2025.  Incoming students will be loaded into Canvas and enrolled in the Canvas course and have access to all the math review information as well as information about the MPE.  The first date for a proctored MPE is TBD.

For additional MPE questions or technical assistance, please contact Professor Melissa Myrick at mmyrick@citadel.edu.

Computer Recommendations

CSI students are required to bring a personal computer/laptop to CSI for class work and personal use in their room. The Citadel is not liable for loss of or damage to any student’s computer. Our Information Technology page provides valuable information on computer recommendations to provide students with the best possible solution for their personal computing needs. The Citadel provides access to networked computers in numerous computer labs on campus, including several labs in the library and barracks.

Cadet Life Lessons

These lessons take place in a non-military atmosphere with an emphasis on reinforcing knowledge and skills to help students adjust to life at The Citadel. Topics include campus tours and resources, Q&A sessions, introduction to knob knowledge, barracks life, military branches, and the Charleston community. Learning these skills during CSI helps reduce stress during the early weeks of the school year.

Student Success Center

The Citadel provides support to students through the following programs at the Angela W. Williams Student Success Center.

  • Academic Coaching
  • Math Lab
  • Subject Area Tutoring
  • Supplemental Instruction
  • Writing Lab
  • Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities are encouraged to make an appointment with Ms. McKenzie to discuss services and accommodations: (843) 953-6877 or smckenz1@citadel.edu.

A special CSI Tutoring program is offered during CSI. The tutors have been specifically hired and trained by the Student Success Center to work with CSI students.