Curricular Information

Academic Information

First Year Curriculum
University Requirements
Academic Guide
Transfer Credit

The First Year of Studies Curriculum is designed to provide a foundation in liberal education and an opportunity to explore areas of special interest before declaring a major. However, students interested in a specific area are encouraged to take certain courses in their first year to affirm that interest and to focus study toward that program. The courses required of all First Year Students at Notre Dame are listed below.

  • 1 semester of a University Seminar
  • 1 semester of First Year Composition
  • 2 semesters of Mathematics
  • 2 semesters of a Natural Science
  • 2 semesters of Physical Education or ROTC
  • 1 additional university requirement
  • 3 additional courses (program requirements or electives)

Students are encouraged to use the first year as a time of exploration and discovery. Experience in a broad range of areas will enable students to compare before choosing the program they wish to pursue. One of the features of the First Year program is that a student can, with guidance, change plans with little administrative difficulty and without prolonging the time to graduation.

However, students who are undecided between arts and letters and business, on the one hand, and science or engineering, on the other, are advised to take the science and math courses recommended for the science or engineering College. It is easier to change from science or engineering to arts and letters or business than to change in the opposite direction.

University Requirements

Incorporated into the First Year curriculum are several of the University Requirements for all Notre Dame Students. These University Requirements are listed below.

  • 1 semester of a University Seminar
  • 1 course in First-Year Composition
  • 2 courses in Mathematics
  • 2 courses in Natural Science
  • 1 course in History*
  • 1 course in Social Science*
  • 2 courses in Philosophy*
  • 2 courses in Theology*
  • 1 course in Fine arts* or Literature*
  • 2 semesters of Physical Education or ROTC

A First Year University Seminar will fulfill a university requirement in one of the disciplines marked by an asterisk (*).

The Academic Guide

The Academic Guide will help you in choosing your courses in your first semester. The guide provides you with an overview of the first year academic experience. It contains a summer timeline, an explanation of the learning objectives of the First Year of Studies, a summer reading list, and specific directions for selecting appropriate courses. Please read this information carefully.

Once you have done so, you will be ready to fill out the Course Selection Form (CSF). Indicate on the CSF the Advanced Placement (AP) tests you have taken. Do not wait to receive your AP results. Advisors will receive AP scores in early July (if you have designated the University of Notre Dame as a recipient) and will utilize this information in building your schedule. It is important that this form be returned by June 22, 2009.

The following link of the Academic Guide is in printable PDF format of the contents of the current Guide. There is also a link to sample University Seminar descriptions.

Transfer Credit

First year students may submit for evaluation college courses taken after the student’s junior year of high school. Courses taken must have equivalents at Notre Dame—courses most frequently approved are in areas of history, social sciences, and fine arts. The following documentation is needed for evaluation:

  • Official college or university transcript
  • Documentation from the secondary school that the credit earned was not used to meet high school diploma requirements
  • Documentation that the course was taken on an accredited college or university campus, in competition with degree candidates of that college/university and taught by a regular member of the college/university faculty
  • Official description and course syllabus of course

Pre-matriculation credit will not be approved for University Seminar, Composition, mathematics, science, or foreign language courses.

Only the Notre Dame equivalent of the course will be listed on your transcript as credit earned; the grade received for the course will not transfer. A maximum of three courses can be accepted for pre-matriculation transfer credit.