The First-Year Seminar (FSEM) Program offers students an introduction to the intellectual life of the University. Offered in the Fall quarter, the small class size provides an in-depth academic experience that is rigorous and engaging. In addition to developing self-motivated academic passion, students can expect to hone the academic skills essential for successful college work.

Each seminar focuses on one or more of the following academic skills: writing, critical reading and thinking, discussion, argumentation and debate, and information literacy. This program enables students to engage with faculty in the exploration of novel and challenging topics and lays the groundwork for extraordinary academic and personal growth.

Faculty members teach their passions in which they have particular expertise and enthusiasm, and each First-­Year Seminar has a unique topic, with 85-90 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 also serve as students’ faculty mentors for the entire first year. Students may meet individually with their mentors during winter and spring quarters as they navigate university experiences.

This course must be taken at the University of Denver. Any student who either withdraws from or fails the First-Year Seminar must meet the requirement through an additional Advanced Seminar course. Students transferring to DU are exempt from this requirement if they are classified as a transfer student.