ACADEMIC SUPPORT & SERVICES
SEAM
Student Excellence in Academics and Multiculturalism (SEAM) is a fun and intellectually rewarding way to start at the University of Minnesota for first-year students in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA); College of Biological Sciences (CBS); and College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). SEAM will ease you into a large, world-class university through a program of small learning communities with a friendly multicultural vibe. Come join us and other intellectually and culturally adventurous students in the SEAM experience.
SEAM is a program of communities. A SEAM community consists of 15-20 first-year students who share similar interests or goals and a desire to study in a multicultural environment. SEAM seminars can be taken alone or students can take 2-4 classes together. SEAM seminars emphasize student participation to enhance skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and communication. While SEAM is primarily a fall semester program, you will have the option of continuing with your community into the spring semester. SEAM seminars provide access to reserved seats in writing, math, and other high-demand classes and provide opportunities for students who are undecided about a major to explore areas of interest.
Each community is designed around a first-year or freshman seminar. Seminars are one to three-credit classes taught by faculty and/or staff. The classes give SEAM students an opportunity to work closely with faculty and instructors in their interest area, enhance skills for being successful students, and create community, both socially and academically in multicultural environments.
While SEAM is primarily a fall semester program, you will have the option of continuing with your community spring semester. You will have access to reserved SEAM seats in mathematics, economics, and other popular classes for spring semester
Communities 1-7
SEAM 1:
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Community
Expose yourself to the “life of the mind.” Sharpen critical reasoning. Learn how to interact with faculty and students as intellectual colleagues. Transition to the University of Minnesota culture of science, technology, engineering and math.
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1012) 4 credits
- Mathematics 3-4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301) 2 credits
SEAM 2: Drugs: Scientific, Social, and Medical Perspectives
Examine the role of drugs, legal and illicit, in modern society from scientific, social, and medical frameworks. Explore behavior, politics, and marketing within the realm of pharmacology.
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1012) 4 credits
- Math/Science/Social Science elective 4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301) 2 credits
SEAM 3: Health Sciences Community
Embark on a career in the health sciences. Learn about requirements for professional programs, from nursing to pharmacy, and take the necessary prerequisites.
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1012) 4 credits
- Pre-calculus or calculus (Math 1051 or Math 1271) 3 or 4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301or AHS 1101) 2 credits
- Science elective
SEAM 4: Cross Cultural Perspectives on Drugs
Examine drug policies in global society and the societal and cultural influences of drugs and the interrelationships between these factors to gain an interdisciplinary perspective on the multitude of roles that drugs play in various social and cultural institutions, and in our daily lives.
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1014) 4 credits
- Math/Science/Social Science elective 4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1303) 3 credit
SEAM 5: Science, Sex, and Society: How do we know what we know?
Tackle recent gains in our scientific understanding of sex from biological, evolutionary, social and behavioral perspectives which impact identity. Develop and sharpen fundamental skills in the natural and social sciences.
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- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
- Biol 1001 or science elective 4 credits
- Math/Social Science elective 4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301) 2 credits
SEAM 6: Intercultural Communication
Learn across cultures to create a cohesive team that understands and benefits from each other's unique perspectives. Build skills in intercultural competency. Challenge fellow multicultural and international students to be more effective in multicultural and international environments.
- Math/Science/Social Science electives
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301) 2 credits
SEAM 7: Exploring Business and Discovering Leadership
Explore the options for pursuing a business interest within a global context. Discover leadership skills, traits, and trends.
- Econ 1101 Principles of Microeconomics 4 credits
- EdPA 1301W Personal Leadership in the University 2 credits
- Math/Science/Social Science electives 4 credits
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
Communities 8-14
SEAM 8:
Race and Ethnicity Community
Develop a better understanding of the dynamics of race and culture in the United States. This is an ideal community for students undecided about their major or career plans.
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
- Introduction to psychology (Psy 1001) 3 credits
- Introduction to multicultural American literature (Engl 1301) 4 credit
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301) 2 credits
SEAM 9:
Asian Americans and U.S. Race Relations
Examine the place of Asian Americans within U.S. race relations through law, history, sociology, and popular culture. Where do Asian Americans fit into the larger multiracial context of the U.S. and theories of race relations? What is the importance of race in the “age of Obama?” SEAM 10 students will be able to participate in the Multicultural Civic Engagement Program during spring semester.
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
- AAS/HIST 1902 Asian Americans and U.S. Relations SEAM seminar
- Ethnic Studies/Social Science elective(s) 3-4 credits
- Math/Science elective 4 credits
SEAM 10: Understanding Your World (CFANS)
Gain a firm understanding of how meaning is made and how culture impacts the way we construct meaning in the world. Learn to appreciate how diversity of opinion builds our world. We will take a more culturally competent “inside look” at diverse ways of knowing. By direct experience and involvement with another culture, we come to recognize their cultural worldview and its way of seeing and making sense of the world.
- University Writing
- Math
- Science
- CFANS SEAM Seminar (CFAN 1902 - Ways of Knowing and Science)
SEAM 11: Science, Sex, and Society: How do we know what we know? (CBS)
Tackle recent gains in our scientific understanding of sex from biological, evolutionary, social and behavioral perspectives which impact identity. Develop and sharpen fundamental skills in the natural and social sciences.
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- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
- Biol 1001 or science elective 4 credits
- Math/Social Science elective 4 credits
- First-year seminar (CLA 1301) 2 credits
SEAM 12:
Biology in Our Lives (CBS)
Everyday we run across biology in our lives and in the news. What is meant by a bioterrorism threat? How is biological evidence influencing a trial outcome? How is pollution affecting different cultures? What’s happening to the arctic environment?
- University writing and critical reading (EngC 1011) 4 credits
- Math elective 4 credits
- CBS 1905 SEAM Seminar 1 credit
- Science elective 4 credits
Advisors
CLA SEAM students are primarily advised through the Martin Luther King Jr. Program or through other CLA Advising Communities. For questions regarding orientation, placement tests, and registration, contact: 19 Johnston Hall, 612-625-2300, www.mlk.umn.edu.
University Honors, CBS and CFANS SEAM students are advised through their respective student services offices. For questions regarding orientation, placement tests, and registration, contact: UHP, Pamela Baker, 20 Nicholson Hall, 612-624-5522; CBS, 229 Snyder Hall, 612-624-9717; CFANS, Karl Lorenz, 190 Coffey Hall, 612-624-9299.
Why Join SEAM?
- Small college advantages within a large research university
- Free tutoring in major courses such as math, chemistry, and economics
- Improved chances for achieving excellent grades
- Close connection with programs such as Bookmark (free book loans), internship programs in public schools, cultural programs (free tickets)
- Close relationships with faculty and staff
- Integrated in-class and out-of-class activities
Student Excellence in Academics and Multiculturalism
Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence
185 Klaeber Court
320 16th Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-8063
mcae@umn.edu
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
This information is available in alternate formats, please call 612.624.0594.