I am pleased to announce the continuation of the First-year Seminar and Senior Seminar Programs for the 2025-26 academic year. These outstanding undergraduate seminar programs contribute to UC San Diego’s undergraduate mission by expanding undergraduate education offerings.
The First-year Seminar Program creates a unique classroom environment by providing opportunities for incoming students to engage in intellectual discussions with faculty and peers in a small, supportive class setting. The small, informal class setting of the Senior Seminars promotes exploration of advanced topics and fosters an ideal learning environment for polishing critical thinking and analytical skills.
Eligible faculty will receive a $1,500 research payment (not as salary, but as funding available to support various academic expenses including research, travel, and supplies) for teaching either a one-unit First-year Seminar or a one-unit Senior Seminar. (Note that a department may only offer Senior Seminars if it also offers at least two First-year Seminars.) The $1,500 research payment is only provided if a minimum of 10 students are enrolled in the seminar.
Incoming students are particularly interested in taking undergraduate seminars during the fall. I especially encourage you to consider offering a seminar during this time when demand is the highest. The due date for submission of proposals for Fall Quarter 2025 First-year and Senior Seminars is Friday, February 21, 2025.
Your participation in these programs is greatly appreciated. Undergraduate seminar programs have been very well received and are important to our students. You can visit the program website, https://undergrad.ucsd.edu/academics/ug-seminars/first-year-and-senior-seminars.html for detailed information. Please contact John Moore, Dean of Undergraduate Education (due@ucsd.edu) or April Burcham (aburcham@ucsd.edu) with questions or comments.
