First Year Academic Opportunities
There are many unique academic opportunities for first-year students to engage in both in and out of the classroom.
A required part of the Brandeis Core, the First Year Experience includes a series of “Critical Conversations” to introduce students to our academic community, to model the different types of intellectual inquiries available on the university campus, to create a shared experience, and to invite students to think and talk about issues that are central to their educational development and the world around them.
The first year experience is designed to support students in their transition to college academics.
As a component of Brandeis' Health, Wellness, and Life Skills Core curriculum requirement, all first year students must complete HWL 1 Navigating Health and Safety. This requirement consists of two parts:
HWL 1-PRE Intro to Navigating Health and Safety (online training)
HWL 1 Navigating Health and Safety (module)
HWL 1-PRE Intro to Navigating Health and Safety (online training)
HWL 1 Navigating Health and Safety (module)
A common read program, it is the only time that all first year students read the same book and participate in fun and low-stakes conversations with peers and faculty.
UWS is a required course for graduation. The seminar focuses on strategies and techniques of college-level argument taught through the exploration of a subject.