Ready to explore, but not ready for a long journey? First-Year Opportunities offer bite-sized introductions to academic fields and topics of interest giving you the chance to meet faculty, try something new, and discover what resonates.
First-Year Opportunities are 1-2 unit exploratory courses designed to introduce students to a topic, field, or area of study in an engaging way. These offerings bring together faculty and practitioners from across campus (and often the local community) to share their expertise, spark curiosity, and help you discover what excites you. These courses provide a welcoming space to explore new interests, meet a variety of instructors, and build early connections with faculty and peers.
Offerings for 2026-2027
Fall 2026
Contemporary Issues in Psychology
This seminar enables students to explore several of the ideas and issues in contemporary psychology. Each week a different issue is discussed, and students familiarize themselves with critical aspects of the issue and discuss and critically evaluate the pros and cons of each side.
Introduction to Cutting-Edge Research in Biology
A lecture course intended for first-year students that focuses on the practice and culture of biological research. Active researchers describe the biological context of their research, the specific questions they have formulated, the means by which they pursue the answers, and their data and conclusions. The focus is on process: how biologists pursue their profession, what goes on in a research setting. Additional topics of clinical and contemporary interest are often included.
Meeting the Moment: Culture and Context for Contemporary America
Our moment in history seems to churn with anxiety about pressing issues at the global and local levels. How do we map a way forward when at times the sheer magnitude of events overwhelms our ability to see clearly? How can we use past events to help us better understand present ones? American Culture Studies invites you to a series of interdisciplinary discussions about how history and culture inform the American experience of the present. In “Meeting the Moment,” first year students will learn how cultural studies provide insights into how we might negotiate current complexities. Students will establish relationships with numerous WashU faculty members, explore a wide variety of AMCS disciplinary approaches and methods, engage in lively discussions. and explore potential future research interests and coursework possibilities.
Molecular Biology of Genetic Disease
This course is for first-year, non-transfer students only. Students gain a fluency in biological language, methods, and reasoning as applied to human health. We study the molecular, cellular, and physiological perspectives for each health-related topic, and examine data and methods that support this knowledge. We emphasize problem-solving and reasoning as it applies to understanding biological processes. The content and problem-solving work are designed to help students prepare for Biology 2960, which is offered each spring semester.
Neuroscience Futures 1: How Do We Learn About the Brain?
In this seminar course for first-year students, students learn about how neurobiologists conduct and communicate research. We focus our discussion on primary research papers written by neurobiologists. Discussion then focuses on the formulation of scientific questions, evaluation of evidence, and interpreting data within the context of a broader field. Course is for first-year, non-transfer students only.
Research and Conservation in Zoos and Botanical Gardens
An introduction to the world of zoos and botanical gardens. Students will learn of the diverse and cutting-edge ways in which scientists and conservationists study the world's biological diversity and work to conserve it. Taking advantage of two world-class institutions a short distance from the Danforth campus, the class will meet every week at an off-campus site (primarily the Saint Louis Zoo and Missouri Botanical Garden, but also several other institutions) to hear lectures from leading authorities at these institutions, as well touring facilities to see first-hand how research is conducted and how these institutions work to preserve endangered species. Students will write three short papers; each paper will be based upon a class lecture and its associated readings.
Why is Chemistry Called The Central Science?
In this course, we seek to answer that question by showing how chemistry is a thread that runs through many disciplines, including biology, physics, astronomy, geology, medicine and environmental science. We will learn about the many types of chemistry-oriented research that are conducted at WashU, along with presentations by several chemists who have gone on to use their chemistry degree in industry or in other adjacent fields. This is a terrific way to gain exposure about how to prepare your own academic pathway through many diverse fields, through using chemistry as a platform. In this course, we rely on active dialogue in the classroom, through questions and discussion. You can expect to learn about science communication tools and gain some practice with translating difficult science concepts to a broader audience. This will include short written assignments, but also can include graphical depictions of information and data (tools that may be understood well for science outreach or for professional uses of social media.)