First-Year Seminars

First-Year Seminars at The University of Iowa

A collaboration between the Office of the Provost, University College, and the
Pathways to Excellence Office

Information for Students Information for Instructors Annual Poster Session

Find a First-Year Seminar

First-Year Seminars are only offered in fall semesters.
View the course listing for Fall 2025.

Fall 2025 First-Year Seminars

Fall 2026 First-Year Seminar Proposal Submission Period

Instructors who are interested in teaching a First-Year Seminar in Fall 2026 can submit a proposal during the proposal submission period, which will go from December 9, 2025 - January 30, 2026. Even if you have taught a seminar in the past, you must submit a proposal if you wish to be considered for Fall 2026.

Fall 2026 First-Year Seminar Proposal Submission Period

Honors First-Year Seminars

Incoming fall-semester first-year students must take an honors first-year seminar or a required seminar within your major.

Honors First-Year Seminars

Fall 2023 FYS poster session poster title unknown

Research-Focused First-Year Seminars

All incoming fall-semester first-year students may choose to enroll in a Research-Focused First-Year Seminar.

Research-Focused First-Year Seminars

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?

Annual First-Year Seminar Poster Session

First-Year Seminars introduce new first year students to college-level learning and the annual poster session provides an interactive setting for students who are enrolled in research-focused First-Year Seminars to demonstrate what they've learned about research at an R1 institution.

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.