Courses

The University 101 department has created four courses to help students achieve academic success.

University 101, a first-year student seminar, is the longest running of the four courses. Introduced in 1972, University 101 is a three credit hour, letter-graded course for first-year and transfer students. The purpose of University 101 is to help new students make a successful transition to the University of South Carolina, both academically and personally. It aims to foster a sense of belonging, promote engagement in the curricular and co-curricular life of the university, articulate to students the expectations of the University and its faculty, help students develop and apply critical thinking skills, and help students clarify their purpose, meaning, and direction. A set of common learning outcomes are required for all sections.

The course is an elective for the majority of its enrollees; however, some colleges and programs require students to take specialized sections of the course. Over the years, student enrollment has risen to approximately 80% of the incoming freshman class. University 101 is team-taught in small groups (18-22 students) by faculty members or administrative personnel and upper-class peer leaders/grad leaders who have a special interest in first-year student education.

University 101 is offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, although the vast majority of USC-Columbia students enroll in the fall. Credit is applicable as elective or required credit toward graduation depending on the student's program of study. Special sections of the course have been established for members of various subgroups such as Capstone Scholars, students with a common major, students in a living-learning community, and transfer students.

University 201 focuses on the essential components of research. Topics vary to engage students in current interests and events. University 201 is often taught by a teaching team of university faculty and undergraduate peer leader. (click here for sample course descriptions)

University 290 is a series of interdisciplinary discussions for residential college students. Recent topics have included sustainability, life exploration through the "Road Trip Nation" approach, and exploration of contemporary issues. The course may be repeated twice for credit under a different suffix and topic. (click here for sample course descriptions)

University 401 is a capstone seminar designed to prepare juniors and seniors for the transition to their career or graduate school following graduation. Students enrolled in specific sections of University 401 usually share the same academic major and/or career goals (i.e. pre-med, pre-law, journalism and mass communications, industrial chemistry, etc.). The course is designed to assist students in bringing closure to their college experience through systematic, intentional reflection on both the student's major and, in general, their liberal arts education. Students do original research and share their results through reports and discussions. Click here for spring 2012 course offerings