Some departments will count a first-year seminar for department credit. Please consult either the information on a department in Fields of Concentration or the Head Tutor or Director of Undergraduate Studies in a given department for more information. You may need a copy of the first-year seminar syllabus from the course website to submit to the department for their review.
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences has a credit system whereby a one-semester course is worth four credits. First-Year Seminars count as one-semester course and are taken as part of a full semester’s course of study. All seminars count towards non-letter-grade credit. If you successfully petition a department to receive concentration credit for a first-Year Seminar (see below), then the seminar would count for letter-grade credit.
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Yes. Even though first years may not ordinarily enroll in both a First-Year Seminar and another non-letter-graded course in any one term, they may take both CS 50 and a First-Year Seminar for SAT/UNS.
A First-Year Seminar ordinarily brings together one instructor with twelve students to study a topic of keenly shared interest. It frees its participants (instructor and student) from the usual constraints of lecture courses such as letter-grades and exams. Instead, students in a seminar undertake readings, discussions, essays, and presentations toward a SAT/UNSAT grade. Seminars also feature special instructional activities such as guest speakers, concerts, exhibitions, studio or lab work, and field trips that enhance the learning experience for freshmen. Students often cite a First-Year... Read more about Why should I take a First-Year Seminar?
Seminars are taught by members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as well as the graduate schools of Design, Divinity, Education, Government, Law, Medicine, and Public Health.
A student may enroll in two First-Year Seminar, on per term. Students enrolled in fall seminars can still enroll in a second seminar in the spring term.
Yes, First-Year Seminar are open to first-year only. Any student who enters Harvard College as a first-year may apply to any First-Year Seminar during the first two terms of residence.
Only fall seminars are open for application in August. Spring term seminars are open for application in late October. We run two separate application cycles in order to increase your chances of getting a seat in one of your top-choice seminars.
