First-Year Students

A year-long enriched academic experience open to most first-year, residential students.

Living-Learning Communities provide you with an opportunity to live and take courses with other incoming first-year students who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.  

You can apply when you register for Connection Day.

Living-Learning Communities are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The applications will be available in early April to deposited students.

What types of Living-Learning Communities are available?

You can select from a wide range of living-learning communities that are divided into two groups:

• Major-specific communities are based on academic interests and intended majors or minors
• Special-interest communities are based on common interests among students such as community service or leadership

Learning Opportunities

Living-Learning Community Freshman Seminar

Living-Learning Communities include a freshman seminar. UFSP 102 is a one-credit, freshman seminar on a topic related to the Living-Learning Community theme and connected to the Living-Learning Community experience. Note: Students in the World of Business and Accounting take UFSP 103 which counts as the School of Business core class requirement BBUS 100.

How to Apply

You can apply for a Living-Learning Community when you register for Connection Day. In the application, please tell us why you want to be a member of your chosen community and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Also, you must complete the housing application. You can request a roommate, but both students must be eligible for, apply to and be accepted to the same community for you to be placed together in an L-LC. 

You will be notified by mid-June if you have been accepted into the Living-Learning Community. This allows you to work with your advisor in the summer Orientation session to plan your fall schedule which includes two to three classes linked to the Living-Learning Community.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about the L-LCs.

This zero-credit engagement course is designed to help you engage with faculty and staff, find campus resources and support offices and take advantage of opportunities to apply what you are learning. 

These sections are for students directly admitted into certain schools and colleges at UAlbany.

Learning Outcomes 

You can set yourself up to succeed in your first semester at UAlbany by taking this transitional support course to meet a group of new students just like you, engage in an interactive classroom and be eligible to win fun raffles and prizes.

Select Your Course

Please contact your academic advisor about which UUNI 99 engagement course may be right for you.

Freshman seminars provide an enriched academic experience and are required for all first-year students.

At UAlbany, we offer three types of freshman seminars:  1-credit classes on interesting topics, 1-credit classes on academic planning and 3-credit classes that focus on your transition to college.

• UFSP 100 seminars cover various interesting topics (1 credit)

• UUNI 120 seminars help you create an academic plan for your success (1 credit)

• UUNI 105 seminars to help you transition to college and improve their academic skills  (3 credits)

UFSP 100 Freshman Seminar Course Topics (1 Credit)

These 1-credit classes are designed specifically for first-year students to get to know each other and a member of our faculty in a small class setting. 

They are great opportunities to learn about a cutting-edge topic from our best faculty while getting to know more about UAlbany. 

They introduce you to college-level learning and provide you with an intimate learning experience designed to help you acclimate to the academics at UAlbany. 
 

Afrofuturism and the First-Year Experience: Imagining Your Future

In this one-credit course, students will explore the dynamic world of Afrofuturism—a cultural and artistic movement that reimagines the future through the lens of Black experiences, histories, and possibilities. Through engaging texts, music, and films, students will examine themes of liberation, identity, and community while developing essential skills for a successful college transition. Topics include time management, effective communication, and building connections on campus, all framed within Afrofuturism’s vision of empowerment and transformation. By the end of the course, students will craft their own “Afrofuturistic blueprint” for navigating their academic and personal journeys.

An Introduction to Careers in Education

Through your own experiences in education, you have developed a notion of what it means to be a teacher, but have you ever considered teaching as a career? We will explore demographic and employment trends for instructional staff at different levels of formal schooling, from Kindergarten through higher education. In addition to readings and class discussions, we will meet and talk with people employed in the field – not only in careers in the classroom, but also in the myriad of careers in both management and support staff that facilitate and enable teachers to better perform in their roles. This exploration will include, but is not limited to, school counseling, curriculum development, guidance, and administration.

Black Women's Leadership

This seminar introduces first-year students to the legacy and ongoing contributions of Black women leaders in local, national, and global communities. We will explore both well-known and obscure figures, in the past and in the present, here at the University at Albany and beyond. We will also examine the roles that they played, the characteristics they upheld, and the ideals that they modeled for our own lives. Planned field trips include visits to the homes of Harriet Tubman and Madam C.J. Walker in upstate New York.

Chemistry and Scientific Careers

This seminar will help students explore potential career paths in science. It is specifically designed for freshmen intending Chemistry/Biochemistry majors but open to any major considering a career in science. Students will learn from invited guest speakers about what their cool science jobs are like in environmental science, pharmaceutical development, forensic chemistry, biophysics, food science, materials science, etc. The discussion section gives students the opportunity to have lunch with professors and selected guest speakers.  Students will form individualized career development plans to land their dream job including informational interviews, getting involved with undergraduate research, and applying for internships.  Please note this seminar does NOT cover any healthcare-related careers.

College Success for the Student-Athlete

This course is designed to enhance your first-year experience as an NCAA Division I Student-Athlete at UAlbany. In FSP 100, we explore and develop life skills for success in the classroom, on the field, and in life.

Creative Habits for Academic Success

This course explores creativity as a set of transferable habits—curiosity, experimentation, reflection, and resilience—that support success across academic disciplines. Students participate in small, low-stakes creative challenges, reflective journaling, and brief group discussions that connect creative practice to learning and personal growth. The course provides incoming students with practical frameworks for navigating ambiguity, receiving feedback, and building sustainable academic habits.

Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation

This seminar is designed for incoming freshmen wanting to major in the fast-growing field of digital forensics. Learn how to follow digital “fingerprints” to investigate and track activities in the electronic domain and understand how hackers work. In this class, you will also meet key faculty and staff from the Digital Forensics major who can help you get started in this hot new field.

Disasters and Society

What is a disaster? Why does an emergency develop into a disaster? Why are some communities more vulnerable than others? This class will explore the impacts disasters have on society, and how communities and individuals can mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, while also discussing how students can apply these concepts to their academic career. Students will develop strategies to strengthen both their communities and themselves in the face of disruption and uncertainty.

East Asian Studies

Specifically designed for freshmen studying Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, this seminar will help you understand the culture and background for these East Asian languages. You will meet faculty members from across the department of East Asian Studies. The discussion section gives you the opportunity to have lunch in the dining hall with the professor and other students interested in East Asian cultures and languages.

Education in the Age of Globalization

Explore the interconnected world of education, its diverse landscapes, and the challenges it faces. From access and equity to innovation and reform, discover how global forces like technological advancements, migration patterns, and international collaborations shape learning—and how we can create a future where everyone has the best chance at learning!

Exploring Cybersecurity

Exploring Cybersecurity is a one-credit course designed exclusively for freshman students, providing them with a comprehensive introduction to the exciting field of cybersecurity. Through this course, students will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including the principles, technologies, and practices used to secure digital systems and data. Additionally, they will explore cybersecurity as a potential college major and a promising profession, delving into the diverse career paths available, both technical and non-technical. By the end of the course, students will have a well-rounded perspective on cybersecurity and be equipped with the foundational knowledge to make informed decisions about pursuing further studies or careers in this rapidly evolving field.

Fear and Culture

The role that fear plays in our decision-making is enormous and stretches from our individual behavior to cultural values, including education. This class examines how fear has operated in the past, present, and how it might shape our future. The path new students are on can be full of fear and anxiety, so along with understanding cultural fears around the world, from vampires to the end of the world, this class will help to dispel fears about their education journeys.

Financial Adulting 101

Ever thought about the true costs of living when it comes to attending college, owning a car, having pets, raising a family, buying a house, and everything in-between? Learning how to budget is just as important as learning how to invest, for the choices you make today will impact your future. Together we’ll learn the strategies needed to afford life and make your money work for you.

First Year Zine: Exploring UAlbany Through Photography

Students will embark on a creative journey of visual storytelling while exploring campus and documenting their first-year experience. Together we will learn the fundamentals of photography and sequencing to capture compelling narratives. By the end of the semester, students will showcase their personal perspectives with printed "zines" (a small DIY publication).

Guardians of the Games

This seminar explores the exciting world of online gaming and the critical importance of cybersecurity. This course provides students with an understanding of the dynamics of online game playing, including game mechanics, player interactions, and the digital ecosystems that support these games. Additionally, students will explore the cybersecurity challenges unique to online gaming environments and learn strategies to protect against cyber threats. 

Growing Up Bilingual

This course will discuss the linguistic aspects of growing up with two languages. We will examine the structure of the human language and how bilingual minds acquire and process more than one linguistic system. We will also discuss the cognitive, cultural and professional benefits of being bilingual.

How Does your Brain Decide?

This freshman seminar will look at the psychological and neuroscience principles of how people make decisions ranging from buying a stock in the stock markets during a bubble to the more moral decisions about choosing between alternatives as in the famous trolley dilemma. The idea we will pursue is that these decisions come out of a part of the brain that underlies your current awareness of who you are, about which you can talk; and a part of the brain that is outside of this awareness but shapes your response through emotion and skill learning. We will further look at ways a college education that is grounded in classical academic learning and deep experiences in one’s chosen or expected field, can develop maturity and professional knowledge that greatly help students succeed after they graduate from college.

Inside the University: Learning, Leadership, and Purpose

This first-year seminar centers on leadership, student voice, and the lived experience of being part of a university community. Students explore how universities operate, how leadership decisions are shaped, and how those decisions directly influence student life, learning, and opportunity.  Students learn how academic expectations, student support systems, and campus policies are designed to promote learning and success. Through guest conversations with University at Albany leaders, students connect their personal college experience to the larger mission of the university. The course supports study skill development and engagement in all aspects of campus life, self-reflection, and an understanding of students’ responsibilities within a civically engaged academic community.

Introduction to Theatre at UAlbany

This seminar is for first-year students from all intended majors who are interested in acting, playwriting, musical theatre, dramatic literature or music. Together, the participants in the course will explore the UAlbany facilities and the many creative opportunities available on campus by attending and/or participating in performances in the Performing Arts Center. Students will also venture off-campus to engage in productions, events and venues within the broader arts community of the Capital Region. We will meet professionals working in the industry, get exposure to new opportunities and foster a path for getting involved onstage and backstage at UAlbany and beyond!

“I Read it on The Internet” Doesn’t Make it True

At your fingertips on your smartphone you have more 'news' sources than any time in history. 
Here's the problem: Can you differentiate news from opinion from fake news? In this seminar, Prof. Huber will guide students in weekly discussions of journalism, fake news, and news vs. opinion.

Latinx Leadership in our Communities

This first-year seminar introduces students to Albany Latino/a leadership through community engagement, guest speakers, and guided reflection. Students will explore leadership across fields such as education, law, politics, business, healthcare, activism, and the arts.

News, Social Media and the Politics of Truth

What is the news? And why does it matter? How can you tell if it’s true, or reliable? This course will offer students ways to think more critically and carefully about the relationship between current events, journalism, and social media. The twenty-first century has seen enormous changes in the way news is produced, delivered and consumed. Historically the news was delivered through newspapers, radio, or television, mostly controlled by a few large entities. The world of social media has both opened up the information landscape to many more actors (think citizen journalists, newsletters, posts, etc.) and unverifiable information, whether it is AI generated or intentionally posted disinformation.  It’s possible to feel oversaturated with information, and at a loss to discern its validity. Students will emerge from this course with a clearer sense of what and how they want to consume news and information. This is a highly interactive course designed for students to work both independently and in groups on small projects throughout the semester. Guest speakers and a visit to the archives will contribute to the classroom experience.

Philosophy and Cover Songs

The nature of music has been an issue for philosophers since ancient times, but mostly on the assumption that a musical performance was an ephemeral event, here and then gone. Now recording allows us to listen to a musical version again and again, and every recording after the first is a cover. The category of covers has only existed for about 75 years, so thinking about covers provides a clue to how music is different now than it was before. We will follow up on that clue, both to think about music and as an introduction to philosophy.

Practices for Better Health and Well-Being

Entering college requires some adjustment and forethought to keep yourself in optimal physical, mental and emotional health. In this seminar, you will learn how to practice mindfulness meditation for stress management, create your own exercise program for balanced physical fitness, and find healthy eating options on campus.

Self-Exploration and Path-Making through Tea Culture

Tea culture refers to how tea is made, how it is prepared, and the customs and traditions related to drinking it. This class will use tea culture as an analogy to explore ourselves, the resources and opportunities available at UAlbany, and to develop intentional  paths to reach our individual academic and career SMART goals (i.e., goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound). Through the study of tea culture, you will develop and strengthen key skills needed to succeed at UAlbany. This course will include campus field trips, and guest speakers from within UAlbany and from the community.

Social Justice

This course provides a community-oriented approach and space to explore and discuss societal issues from diverse perspectives. Also, you will learn how your passion for serving others can position you for success.

Storytelling

Stories surround us in the news, movies, court trials, biographies, histories, scientific discoveries, comic strips, dreams, video games, gossip. What distinguishes a story from other modes of communication? When do we utilize storytelling and why? How can we become more effective at telling and listening to stories to affirm our identities, strengthen bonds with family and friends, and expand our capacity for empathy? We will consider these, and other questions, in this seminar.

The Science of Storms, Climate Change, and Environmental Impacts

Whether it is checking the weather forecast on the way to school, saving energy on a hot summer day, or taking shelter from a severe thunderstorm, we have an important and close relationship with our planet and its future. Along with important lessons on the transition from high school to college, this course will cover major topics taught by experts in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, such as sustainability, energy and resources, hazardous weather and forecasting, and climate change. Enrolling will be a great opportunity to get to know faculty in the department and meet your UAlbany peers who share the same passion for the atmosphere and environmental you do. Recommended for those interested in majoring in Atmospheric, Climate, or Environmental Sciences.

True Crime and True Life

This course focuses on how representative true crime is when compared to real criminal justice policies.  It explores how media of all kinds impacts our perceptions of how crimes are investigated.

True Crime Media Narratives

True crime media has experienced a major surge in popularity over the past several years. In this course, we will examine contemporary true crime media narratives, examining the reasons for their popularity, the ways these narratives are put together, and how we can be ethical and responsible true crime consumers.

Using Primary and Secondary Sources to Study the Past and Present

Students will learn how to access and analyze information sources, learn the skills of academic research, and gain an understanding and ability to summarize large amounts of information. During the semester, we will conduct a historical research project analyzing secondary and primary sources located in the University Archive.

Wellness Practices 101

Doctors and Mental Health Providers recommend wellness practices for overall wellbeing. But, which practice is best for you?  This class will explore a range of wellness practices ranging from breathwork, meditation, yoga, embodied voice work, and mindfulness.

UUNI 120: Building your Academic Plan (1 Credit)

1-credit Freshman Seminars are available that focus on Building your Academic Plan. Fully explore your passions and set goals for your time at UAlbany. In order to reach those goals, what skills do you need to develop and what support will you need to be successful? In this class, you will reflect on your skills and goals and build an academic plan to ensure you get the most from your college time.

UUNI 105: The Freshman Year Experience (3 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to help you become an effective student. It focuses on the academic skills that will help you succeed at UAlbany (e.g., time management and study skills).

You will learn about the college experience, including experiences unique to first-year students, transitional stages that you may undergo and coping strategies that can help you pass through this phase of college life.

In addition, you will learn how to use and locate important campus resources and learn about who you are and how that information helps you choose a major and a career.

How to Learn More About Course Options

You can search the freshman seminar course topics through the schedule of classes by following these steps:

• Step 1: Select a Semester or Term to search the Schedule of Classes
• Step 2: Select Undergraduate only for Level (Graduate/Undergraduate)
• Step 3: Select UFSP 100 to see the different Course Subjects offered
• Step 4: Leave everything as it is in the other fields
• Step 5: Select submit

Work with your academic advisor on your First-Year Experience choice for your first semester.

Selecting Your Course

You will select a course when you submit your Connection Day registration form. If you have any questions, please contact your advisor or Academic Advising to select the best option for you.

A four-year enriched academic experience for invited students.

The Honors College is a small community of scholars who seek a more engaging academic experience to challenge and develop themselves.

As an Honors College student, you’ll enjoy small Honors-only classes, Honors housing and priority course registration and weekly academic, cultural and social events. You’ll also be supported by faculty members, Honors academic advisors, an Honors librarian and Honors peer mentors.

All high school seniors who apply for admission to the University at Albany are automatically considered for the Honors College. Eligible transfer students are invited to apply.

How to Apply to the Honors College

Please visit the Honors College website for more information.

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at the University at Albany provides admission opportunities for economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduate students who are residents of New York State.

How to Apply to EOP

To qualify for admission to EOP, you must be a New York State resident, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and meet academic and financial eligibility requirements.

Please visit Undergraduate Admission’s EOP page for detailed information on eligibility requirements and application instructions.