First-Year Seminar

FSEM 100 is a NEW course at UMW – exclusively for first-year students ONLY.   

Features of the course include

• Small sizes – capped at 15 students each
• Exploration of a topic of interest to the students and the faculty member
• Active discussion-based formats
• Exploration of primary texts rather than textbooks
• Development of writing and speaking skills, which will be needed in upper-level courses
• Critical examination of the literature

Catalog Description for the Course:

The first-year seminar introduces students to the pursuit of intellectual inquiry.  Students will study a non-traditional topic in a non-traditional way while exploring the concept of a liberal arts education.  Specific topics will vary from course to course.

The chemistry department has offered a seminar on The Science Behind CSI (Fall 2006) and will and on Mad Scientists, Bad Scientists, and Evil Geniuses (Spring 2007). The department will offer a seminar on Food Chemistry (Fall 2008).