Distinctions & Opportunities

Academic Opportunities

Intensive Freshman Seminars

Intensive Freshman Seminars (IFS) is a unique residential program that provides a bridge to a successful college career and is open to all entering freshmen at Indiana University Bloomington. For three weeks before the fall semester begins, students may enroll in one class chosen from a wide range of topics and taught by regular faculty, live in a centrally located residence hall, and become familiar with the IU computing and library systems. Students develop close and lasting friendships through the Intensive Freshman Seminar Program.

All seminars:
  • Count as 3 credits toward any IUB degree;
  • Allow one-on-one interaction with an outstanding faculty member;
  • Are limited to 20 students;
  • Emphasize active learning strategies through the seminar format;
  • Are designed to hone skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking—the foundations for more advanced work;
  • Include an introduction to the university’s extensive computing services and world-renowned library resources.

Students planning to pursue a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are advised to enroll in an Intensive Freshman Seminar that bears one of the following course numbers: COLL-C 103, COLL-C 104, or COLL-C 105. These courses fulfill the College's Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences requirement and carry College and campus-wide General Education Breadth of Inquiry credit as well.

Courses offered as Intensive Freshman Seminars change every year and are available only to matriculating students who elect to take part in the three-week Intensive Freshman Seminar Program prior to beginning the fall semester. For more information on the IFS program and courses offered, please visit the Web site http://ifs.indiana.edu/ or contact the IFS office at Maxwell Hall 222, (812) 855-3839.

Intensive Freshman Seminars

Course Descriptions for Intensive Freshman Seminars that fulfill the Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences requirement (COLL)

  • COLL–C 103 Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences (3 cr.) CASE A&H, CASE CAPP Specific topics will vary by section and over time, but all versions of C103 will meet the objectives of the College of Arts and Sciences Critical Approaches curriculum. The curriculum is intended for freshmen and sophomores, who will learn how scholars from the arts and humanities Breadth of Inquiry area frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches. Writing and related skills are stressed.  Credit given for only one of C103, E103, or S103.
  • COLL–C 104 Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences (3 cr.) CASE S&H, CASE CAPP Specific topics will vary by section and over time, but all versions of C104 will meet the objectives of the College of Arts and Sciences Critical Approaches curriculum. The curriculum is intended for freshmen and sophomores, who will learn how scholars from the social and historical studies Breadth of Inquiry area frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches. Writing and related skills are stressed. Credit given for only one of C104, E104, or S104.
  • COLL–C 105 Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences (3 cr.) CASE N&M, CASE CAPP Specific topics will vary by section and over time, but all versions of C105 will meet the objectives of the College of Arts and Sciences Critical Approaches curriculum. The curriculum is intended for freshmen and sophomores, who will learn how scholars from the natural and mathematical sciences Breadth of Inquiry area frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches. Writing and related skills are stressed. Credit given for only one of C105, E105, or S105.
Freshman Seminars

Course Descriptions for Intensive Freshman Seminars that do not fulfill the Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences requirement (COLL)

    • COLL–S 103 Freshman Seminar in Arts and Humanities (3 cr.) CASE A&H P: Freshman standing and consent of the Intensive Freshman Seminar Program. Introduction to college-level projects chosen from arts and humanities fields. Students will learn how scholars frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches in a small-class experience with a faculty member. Writing and related skills are stressed. Topics will vary. Open only to freshmen. Credit given for only one of COLL-S 103, COLL-C103, or COLL-E 103.
    • COLL–S 104 Freshman Seminar in Social and Historical Studies (3 cr.) CASE S&H P: Freshman standing and consent of the Intensive Freshman Seminar Program. Introduction to college-level projects chosen from social and historical studies fields. Students will learn how scholars frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches in a small-class experience with a faculty member. Writing and related skills are stressed. Topics will vary. Open only to freshmen. Credit given for only one of COLL-S 104, COLL-C 104, or COLL-E 104.
    • COLL–S 105 Freshman Seminar in Natural and Mathematical Sciences (3 cr.) CASE N&M P: Freshman standing and consent of the Intensive Freshman Seminar Program. Introduction to college-level projects chosen from natural and mathematical science fields. Students will learn how scholars frame questions, propose answers, and assess the validity of competing approaches in a small-class experience with a faculty member. Writing and related skills are stressed. Topics will vary. Open only to freshmen. Credit given for only one of COLL-S 105, COLL-C 105, or COLL-E 105.