The Intensive Studies program is an integrated and collaborative learning experience. With interdisciplinary course content, selected first-year students develop essential skills in quantitative reasoning, mathematics, writing, and critical reading. In addition, the Intensive Studies program encourages students to foster the active and independent learning skills necessary to succeed academically and take full advantage of the Carlow University curriculum.

Students admitted to the Intensive Studies program are identified through evaluations of their admissions materials and placement test results. Once placed in the program, students are expected to complete the following three courses in their first semester: Quantitative Reasoning (CC1021), Reading Texts across the Disciplines (IS111), and Rhetoric and Research across the Disciplines (IS112). Students may take an additional four to five course credits outside the Intensive Studies program during this first semester.

For further information about the Intensive Studies program or course descriptions, please review the current course catalog or contact the Intensive Studies Coordinator at 412-578-6050.

For Intensive Studies course descriptions, please see below:

IS111 Reading Texts across the Disciplines
Introduction to strategies for reading multidisciplinary college level texts and for responding to those texts critically and analytically. Students develop the ability to identify the structures and rhetorical conventions used in texts across disciplines while also building vocabulary, using multiple research methods and extracting meaning from graphic and visual media. Enrollment is limited to select students. This course is coordinated and taken in conjunction with CC1021 and IS112. 3 credits

IS112 Rhetoric and Research across the Disciplines
Introduction to the strategies, processes and techniques necessary to write successfully at the university level. In a hands-on lab experience, students develop their writing skills by producing paragraphs and essays based on the critical reading and thinking skills developed in IS111. Students also study and practice the conventions of written English, use various research strategies, and develop computer and presentation skills. Enrollment is limited to select students. This course is coordinated and taken in conjunction with CC1021 and IS111. 3 credits

CC1021 Quantitative Reasoning
Study of the fundamental skills required to understand quantitative information and to use this information effectively to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences. Topics include critical thinking, number sense, statistical interpretation, and basic probability, graphical representation and analysis of data, and interpretation of standard quantitative models. This course is coordinated and taken in conjunction with IS111 and IS112. It also fulfills the Carlow core curriculum requirement for quantitative reasoning. 3 credits