Introductory Seminars: Current Quarter Info

See our PAGE on  FACEBOOK  - "Stanford IntroSems"

WWYS? What would you say to an incoming Freshman or Transfer student about taking an Introductory seminar? Send us your comments that we may share in our catalog -- introsems@stanford.edu THANK YOU

Get applications reviewed by the Hume Writing Center. 

• Review Tips on writing an application essay by Dr. Joyce Moser, SIS Associate Director.

View the 2011-12 Catalog (PDF)    

The course offerings contained in this catalog may change; please check the table of updates and changes on this page. To verify GER's, find the class schedule, grade type or special notes, go to Explore Courses as it is the university's official reference and time schedule.

Application Period, Deadline, and Results

Students may apply online at http://vcais.stanford.edu  for up to three seminars per quarter during the various Application Periods. Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00pm on the quarterly Application Deadline. Application Results  will be posted at http://vcais.stanford.edu; and enrollment of students accepted into an IntroSem, by this date.  

Autumn Quarter - tbd

Winter Quarter - tbd

Spring Quarter - tbd

           *Write Introductory Seminars are managed by SIS and not open for enrollment.

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Changes and Updates

PLEASE NOTE: For the most current and official information about schedules, GER's and course notes, see Stanford Bulletin's Explore Courses which supersedes course information contained in the Introductory Seminars Course Management website. 

Seminars With Spaces Available: Spring Quarter

 SIS Introductory Seminars that are undersubscribed (or by request of the instructor) are listed here as "Space Available" thus modifying the enrollment process. Unless required by the instructor, applications are not necessary. While attending Freshmen, Sophomores and first year transfers still have preference for the open seats, an instructor may also grant permission to upperclassmen as well.

BIO 25Q The Molecular Basis of Genetic Disease (Kopito)

ILAC 101N The Power of Image (Yarbro-Bejarano)

EE 28N What is Information? (Miller)

PHYSICS 87N The Physics of One: Nanoscale Science and Technology (Golhaber-Gordon)

COMM 130N The Idea of a Free Press (Glasser)

GSBGEN 112Q Leading Out Loud: an Exploration of Leadership Communication through an LGBT Lens (Schramm)

MS&E 94Q The Public Use and Misuse of Mathematics (May)

FRENLIT 190Q Parisian Cultures of the 19th and Early 20th Centuries (Bertrand)

COMPMED 85N Animal Use in Biomedical Research (Albertelli, Johns, Garner)

CHEM 24N Nutrition and History (Huestis)

CLASSGEN 24N Sappho: Erotic Poetess of Lesbos (Peponi)

COMPMED 84Q Globally Emerging Zoonotic Diseases (Felt)

NSUR 70Q Experimental Stroke (Zhao)

CEE 50N From the Foothills to the Bay (Monismith)

CHINGEN 70N Marvelous Creatures: Animals and Humans in Chinese Literature (Lee)

EESS/EARTHSYS 49N Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on a Large Urban Estuary: San Francisco Bay (Francis)

OBGYN 81Q Perspectives on the Abortion Experience in Western Fiction (Blumenthal)

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 Nuts and Bolts: Application Status, Enrollment Process

• ACCEPTED is not the same as enrolling for the course in Axess. Soon after faculty review, the program will add any acceptance(s) to study lists--provided that doing so will not exceed the maximum allowable units. Students may decide which ones to drop--as a courtesy please inform the instructor. Write 2 certified courses are handled differently, please see below.
• One week before the first day of instruction in a quarter, SIS Introductory Seminars that are not Write 2, will be opened for general enrollment. Instructor permission is required for self-enrollment (ae. Accepted or by instructor notification).
• Write 2 courses:  students accepted into these courses are handled differently. The program offices will add/drop the course to their Axess study lists. Accepted students will be notified prior to this action. If  plans change and the student cannot take the course, notification to the program and the  instructor is required.
• More on WRITE-2 introsems:
  • Completion of a WRITE-2 introsem will satisfy the University's Second level Writing and Rhetoric requirement, Write-2.
  • These courses are primarily limited to students who have completed the first level Writing and Rhetoric requirement (WR 1) and have not yet fulfilled Write-2. 
  • Students outside of the preferences may be accepted to a Write 2 introsem on a space available basis and by permission of the instructor.
  • The class rosters (ADD/DROP) for these courses are managed by Stanford Introductory Studies (SIS).
• WAIT LISTED: If your status is “Waitlist,” attend the first day of class to enhance or find out your chances. If it is a Write 2 introsem and you are still interested, attendance is a good way to let the instructor know that if a space opens, you are a "good candidate".
• NOT ADMITTED: check for space available courses, usually posted on the same day as statuses are released. At the online catalog, check the box for "Space Available" in the specified quarter.
• UNREVIEWED: The instructor may decide at the first class meeting, so be sure to attend.

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Tips on Applying to Seminars

• Hume Writing Center offers consultation and tutoring (make an  appointment) as well as workshops at the dorms on "Writing an Application" - look for the schedule and for drop-in hours on the Writing Center's calendar.
• TELL A STORY about yourself and your interest in the subject. Faculty look for students with diverse backgrounds and attitudes. The better the instructor can understand your motivations and approach, the more likely he or she will be to keep you in mind in constructing the final class list.
• Write a well-crafted paragraph or two for the application questions. Essays have a limit of 3,000 characters.
• PROOFREAD and share your essays with an advisor, family member, or friend.
• Keep an open mind about what might interest you. Remember that while some seminars are over-subscribed, others will have spaces available after the application deadline.
• Save your applications as you write, and be aware of deadlines. Your application will not be accepted after the 5:00pm deadline.

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Further Resources

• FAQs for students about using the online course selection and application system.
• Have a question? Check-out answers to the most frequently asked student questions here at the Introductory Seminar FAQs .
• Download the  Course Selection Worksheet (PDF)
• ExploreCourses is the primary source for course schedules and GER certifications.
• Contact us at introsems@stanford.edu or (650) 724-2405.

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