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 had increased to 1700 students and the average class size declined to 27.4.
• In 2001/02 the number of B.A. students in first year seminars had increased to 1880 with an average class size of 27.2.
• There are currently 86 students registered in four Science Seminars - an average of 19 students per section.

• In 1998/99 80% of seminars were taught by regular professors or instructors. In 1999/00 that number had dropped to 58%. In 2000/01 the number has improved somewhat to 63% and in 2001/02 it increased to 70%.