Fall Semester
 

2-Week Intensive: September 6th - September 21st 
10-Week Semester:  September 24th - December 12th 

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Students have the option to begin their Sterling Education in the spring, summer, or fall, but most incoming students choose to start with the traditional fall term.

A Sense of Place is a 3-credit orientation to the human and natural communities of northern Vermont that is required for all new students, and takes place during the Fall Intensive. Fall Intensive topics for returning students include Soil Fertility and an Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, as well as field study programs on the impact of hydro-electric projects in James Bay, Canada, and the Marine Natural History of the North Atlantic. 

A full range of courses are offered in the Fall Semester. All courses include a balance between field trips, hands-on learning opportunities, and classroom study. Many professors structure classes to emphasize field time in September and October, when the weather is relatively mild. 

The culmination of Fall Semester is the traditional Winter Expedition, a 4-day trek in the Lowell Mountains after final exams that is a rite of passage for all Sterling students. New students prepare for Expedition through Experiential Education I, or Bounder, a required 3-credit course in group problem solving and outdoor skills.

Sample Course Offerings

Soil Science
Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the dynamic soil system as related to plant growth in various ecosystems, both natural and those managed for agriculture and forestry.

Ecology
This course is a survey of concepts in ecology with emphasis on ecosystem ecology, biogeography, and evolution. Topics include ecosystem energetics, nutrient cycling, global weather and climate, biomes and natural communities, natural selection, diversity of life, and ecological relationships.

Fiber Arts
The use of animal and plant fibers, both wild and cultivated, has ancient and world-wide roots. Products carefully and lovingly made from the fiber resources at hand have served people well for millennia. This course will introduce the principles of fiber arts, and students will create their own artwork from locally sourced materials.

Forestry Techniques
Forestry Techniques is a practical skills based course that introduces specific skills encountered in forestry work, including tree measurements, log and lumber measurements, forest sampling, and terrain mapping.
 

More Information?

If you would like to learn more about Sterling College and the Spring Semester make a request using our online information request form.

How to Apply?

To apply to the Summer Semester please visit our online application page for more details.

Questions?

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