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About SEAM

About | Communities 1-7 | Communities 8-14 | Advisors | Join 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); College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (COAFES); and College of Natural Resources (CNR). SEAM helps you make the transition to a large, world-class research university through specially designed learning communities. By taking classes together, you will find a supportive and friendly multicultural learning environment. We hope you will say yes and join other outstanding individuals in SEAM.

SEAM is a program of communities. A SEAM community consists of 15-20 first year students who share similar interests or goals, have expressed a desire to study in a multicultural environment, and take the same 2-4 classes for fall semester. These classes are popular University of Minnesota courses that meet graduation requirements.

Each community is designed around a first year seminar or freshman seminar. Seminars are one or two-credit classes taught by faculty and/or staff. The classes give SEAM students an opportunity to work with faculty and instructors in their interest area, to enhance skills for being successful students, and to have the chance to form a community, both socially and academically.

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