Transferring to UMass is a big step, whether you are coming from a community college, another 4-year state university, or a smaller liberal arts college. This class is set up to help transfer students connect with each other and with campus resources. Through a series of discussions, dialogues, workshops and field trips, students will build strong connections and find their home at UMass.

Alexander the Great's conquests in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Western Asia made him one of the most talked about figures in antiquity. Despite the availability of numerous primary sources, our ability to understand Alexander is made difficult because most of the primary sources were composed hundreds of years after his untimely death. Through weekly source comparisons, journals, and two short research papers, students will practices methods of historical research, and, in so doing, discover that Alexander was as protean in antiquity as he is today.

Do you ever wonder how your brain is organized? How neurons communicate with one another, and function together, or what goes wrong in different neurological diseases. This course is an introductory survey into neurobiology, from molecular and cellular mechanisms to nervous system organization and animal behavior. We will delve into foundational knowledge about nervous system anatomy, physiology, connectivity, and function that can be built upon in future upper level courses.

Honors Thesis expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional research manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all theses: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.