FIRST YEAR SEMINARS

• In Fall 1998, Carleton launched a redesigned B.A. program, including first year seminars. These seminars are designed to introduce the student to university-level study and provide him/her with the tools to pursue a successful academic program. Seminars are deliberately kept small and are intended to be taught by experienced members of faculty. After an initial phase-in period, a First Year Seminar must now be included in the first year of study of all B.A. students.
• In Fall 2000, The College of Natural Sciences initiated a 'Science Seminar Course' patterned after the first year seminars. This course differs from B.A. first year seminars in that it is not compulsory and counts for one/half credit as opposed to a full credit in the B.A.

Commentary:

• In 1998/99, 1,243 students were enrolled in 46 first year B.A. seminars - average size: 27 students each.

• November 1999 there were 1,609 students enrolled in 55 first year seminars - average size: 29 students each.
• In 2000/01, the number of students enrolled in first year seminars has increased to 1700 students but the average class size has declined to 27.4.

• In 1998/99 80% of seminars were taught by regular professors or instructors. In 1999/00 that number had dropped to 60%. In 2000/01 the number has improved somewhat to 62%.

• A survey of first year seminar students was conducted in the winter of 2000. As can be seen from the levels of satisfaction, students are generally positive about the benefits of these seminars. Concerns regarding registration problems, while supported to some extent by the survey, have not had a major impact on the value of the seminars as 75% of students were able to register in either their first or second choice course.
• There are currently 77 students registered in four Science Seminars - an average of 19 students per section.