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University College
First Year Inquiry Program

Fall 2025 Courses

First-Year Inquiry (FYI) classes are small courses that ask big questions, use active, inquiry-based learning, fulfill General Education requirements and offer first-year students the chance to get to build community with their peers and instructors. FYI courses are freshmen only and students should enroll in only 1 FYI course. FYI is indicated in SIS and the course catalog with a “Q” section designation.

Course List

Foundations of American Democracy (FAD) FYI sections:

  • HSS/IHSS 201: Critical Thinking in American Life, section 04Q (IP)
    • T/Th 3-4:15, instructor Alberto de Simoni
    • Paired with USC 101, Introduction to University Education
  • PS 201: American Government and Politics, section 02Q (SS)
    • MWF 3-3:50, instructor Tony Solari
    • Paired with USC 101, Introduction to University Education

Humanities and Social Sciences FYI sections:

  • COM 112: Interpersonal Communication, section 02Q (SS)
    • T/Th 10:15-1130, instructor Julia Mathews
    • Paired with USC 101, Introduction to University Education
  • ENG 223: Contemporary World Literature I, section 01Q (HUM, GK)
    • T/Th 10:15-1130, instructor Catherine Mainland
  • HIS 215: Colonial Latin America, section 01Q (HUM, GK)
    • MW 1:30-2:45, instructor Nick Robins
  • HIS 364: History of North Carolina, section 02Q (HUM)
    • T/Th 11:45-1pm, instructor Chris Laws

Natural Sciences FYI Sections:

  • BIT 100: Current Topics in Biotechnology, section 01Q
    • T 8:30-11:15, instructor Melissa Srougi
  • BIT/MB 210: Phage Hunters, section 01Q
    • T 8:30-11:15, instructor Stephanie Matthews
  • FS 201: Introduction to Food Science, section 02Q
    • MW 10:15-11:30, instructor Paige Luck

Interdisciplinary Perspectives FYI Sections:

  • DSA 201: Introduction to R/Python for Data Science (1 credit), section 04Q
    • Wed 1:55-2:45, instructor David Stokes
  • ES 100: Introduction to Environmental Sciences, section 02Q
    • T/Th 1:30-2:45, instructor Zakiya Leggett
  • MEA 260: Human Dimensions of Climate Change, section 01Q
    • T/Th 10:15-11:30, Instructor Walt Robinson
  • STS 323: World Population and Food Prospects, section 02Q
    • T/Th 4:30-5:45, instructor Bob Patterson
    • Paired with USC 101, Introduction to University Education