First-Year Seminars

First-Year Seminars are designed to aid in the first-year students transition to college academics, college life, and OSU-Cascades community.

FALL First-Year Seminars

ALS 199 U-Engage: Cascades, Academic and Personal Success (2 credits)

Commensurate with U Engage's "project-based learning" mandate to expose students to a "real-world problem or compelling question in [an] area of expertise," this course asks the question: "What stories does the OSU Cascades community have to tell, and how can we bring those stories to light?" In addition to the classic U Engage model, wherein student are exposed to different services our campus has to offer, as well as student success strategies, students in this course will become competent communicators in a variety of forms. U-Engage courses are open for all first-year students and are appropriate for all majors. The classroom environment encourages students to build community.

BA 160  B- Engaged (3 credits)

Understand and accomplish college-level academic work and explore OSU resources and options that will enhance your college experience and success. Opportunity to connect with faculty and peers with common interests in a supportive learning environment.

BI 198 Biology and Zoology First-Year Seminar (1 credit)

This seminar is appropriate for first-year biology majors. Faculty and researchers present various aspects of biology and introduce you to the biology major at OSU. Join our biology faculty and connect with your major early.

ENGR 100 The Oregon State Engineering Student (3 credits)

Enables students to be successful both at Oregon State and in their engineering careers. Illustrates and uses effective teaming practices that account for social justice and equity. Analyzes professional codes of conduct and ethical practices in engineering professions through the lens of multidisciplinary and societally relevant engineering challenges. Develops critical thinking skills to collaboratively identify engineering problems and to articulate possible solutions. Engages students in major exploration through the lens of engineering challenges.

ENSC 101 Environmental Sciences Orientation (1 credits)

Introduction to the Environmental Sciences Program and related professional and educational opportunities. Recommended for all freshman and first-year transfer environmental sciences majors, but open to all students interested in learning about career options in the environmental sciences.

KIN 131 Intro to Kinesiology (1 credit)

Overview of the field; career opportunities in exercise and sports science and other professions dealing with the discipline of human movement; orientation to support services. This course is appropriate for first-year kinesiology majors.

NR 201 Managing Natural Resources for the Future (3 credits)\

Overview of the complexities involved in managing natural resources of the Pacific Northwest. Exposure to major natural resource issues of the region. Development of critical thinking skills useful in seeking solutions.

OP 101 Introduction to the Outdoor Products Industry (4 credits)

Introduction and history of the outdoor products industry. Characteristics of the industry through time. Current size and breadth of the industry, its economic significance, and its potential employment sectors. Relationship of the industry to the environment and public lands. Scope of industry influence in social justice and public lands policy.

TRAL 130 Introduction to Outdoor and Adventure Professions (3 credits)

Outdoor and adventure professions will be explored. Introduces students to practical and conceptual aspects of land and water trips in outdoor tourism, adventure, and educational settings. Innovative people and products will be examined in the context of outdoor and adventure professions and their impact; past, present, and future.