1 course (4 credits)

First-Year Seminars are designed to provide students with an in-depth academic experience that will be rigorous and engaging.

Students will develop the kinds of academic skills that will prepare them for successful college work, which might include one or more of the following: critical reading and thinking, writing, discussion, argument and debate. Faculty members teach their passions in which they have particular expertise and enthusiasm, and each First-Year Seminar has a unique topic, with 75-80 different First-Year Seminars offered each fall quarter.

For students to be able to engage with faculty in the exploration of these topics is an extraordinary opportunity for academic and personal growth. Instructors of the First-Year Seminars will also serve as students' academic advisers and faculty mentors for the entire first year.  Students meet individually with their mentors during winter and spring quarters for advising and registration help. This course must be taken at the University of Denver.

• Discover what it means to be an active member of an intellectual community by meeting rigorous academic expectations through critical reading, discussion, research, and/or writing.
• Practice newly acquired skills in an active learning environment where writing, performing, laboratory experiments, quantitative analyses, or other forms of experiential and/or creative activities will shape the goals and activities of the seminar.
• Establish a strong academic advising relationship with their faculty mentor that extends beyond obtaining information about academic requirements and the mechanics of how to register for courses.

For sampling of types of courses that have been offered as First-Year Seminars, please visit www.du.edu/studentlife/fys

Advising Note: Students transferring to DU are exempt from this requirement if they are classified as a Transfer student.