Find a First-Year Seminar

First-Year Seminars are only offered in fall semesters.
View the course listing for Fall 2024.

Honors First-Year Seminars

Research-Focused First-Year Seminars

Interested in Teaching a First-Year Seminar?

Students working in a lab classroom setting

Why enroll in a First-Year Seminar?

What makes First-Year Seminars so special? What have students said they like most about their First-Year Seminar? What unique opportunities exist for students who enroll in a First-Year Seminar? Why should you enroll in a First-Year Seminar?

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FYS Spotlight: True Crime- Society’s Fascination with Crime and Murder

Are you wondering what it's like to enroll in a First-Year Seminar? This popular First-Year Seminar taught by UI Undergraduate Engagement Librarian Jenay Dougherty, featured in a February 2023 edition of Iowa Magazine, investigates why we’re fascinated with mayhem and murder—and digs deeper into the ethics surrounding the genre. 

Astronomy professor and student

Why teach a First-Year Seminar?

How is teaching a First-Year Seminar different from teaching other undergraduate courses? What role do instructors have in introducing students to the University of Iowa? Read why previous instructors chose to teach a First-Year Seminar, what they valued most about this unique teaching experience, and how they built important relationships with their students.