First-Year Seminars (FYS)
First-Year Seminars provide you with a structured opportunity to meet three goals:
- Goal #1: Build connections with peers, instructors, and the UMass community.
- Goal #2: Increase engagement with resources and opportunities.
- Goal #3: Become self-guided learners with study strategies and intentional planning for academic achievement and personal success.
The First Year Seminar (FYS) program has two models:
School/College/Major/FYS
Each school/college determines the format of their FYS (skills-based or topic-based). Some academic departments offer seminars designed specifically for their majors.
Faculty First-year Seminars (FFYS)
These FYS are taught by faculty from across the University and are open to students from any major or Exploratory Track. FFYS are all topic-based.
The following materials are posted on the RAP website:
- A chart of FFYS – Title, faculty name and department, grading, day and time, and SPIRE #
- A document with full descriptions of each FFYS
All FYS offer a small class setting with a capacity of 19. As an incoming first-year student, you will enroll in a FYS in the fall semester. Your Academic Advisor will let you know, depending on your major, if you should choose a school/college-based first-year seminar or a FFYS.
How to Find a FYS on Spire
School/College/Department FYS are listed in Spire under the rubric of the school/college/major
- Choose the course subject (i.e. CNS is “Natural Sciences”)
- Course Number – choose “begins with” “191”
- Choose “show open classes only”
Faculty First-year Seminars (FFYS)
- Choose the course subject Faculty First Year Seminar
- Course Number – choose “begins with” “191”
- Choose “show open classes only”
Transfer Success Seminar
As a transfer student, you’re able to enroll in the Transfer Success Seminar. In this seminar, you’ll learn the ins and outs of resources and services on campus. (Including: Libraries, the Learning Resource Center, the Writing Center, the Office of Undergraduate Research, and the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success). You’ll identify programs you want to be a part of, connect with other transfer students, and learn a lot about UMass.
