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General Education

What is UNIV 101: First-Year Foundations?

UNIV 101: First-Year Foundations for Student Success is a two-credit course for first-year students starting at BYU designed to welcome them to the university community and help them transition to life in college. All sections of the class are capped at 20 student and are taught by full-time faculty members who introduce students to the mission of BYU and the resources available to them as they seek to become lifelong learners and disciple-scholars.

UNIV 101 is only available to students in their first semester (i.e. not transfer students), and it is part of a three class “envelope.” Students cannot enroll in UNIV 101 without also enrolling in the attached sections of WRTG 150 (First-Year Writing) and REL A 275 (Teachings and Doctrines of the Book of Mormon). This means that the same students are in each of these classes, and it is an opportunity to get to know and work with classmates better.

In fall 2023, UNIV 101 is still a pilot program with limited space available. For students starting in winter 2024, it will be a new requirement in General Education and expected of all incoming first-year students. For all students fall 2023 and later, enrollment in UNIV 101 can substitute for one of the following GE requirements: Letters, Arts, Civilization 1, Civilization 2, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, or Physical Sciences.

 About this Class 

The aims of this class are four-fold: (1) you will recognize and value the unique community, purpose, and Mission and Aims of BYU and connect the BYU experience to your own educational and spiritual goals; (2) you will recognize and feel confident in accessing campus resources that provide support for academic success and personal resiliency in addition to physical, social, and financial well-being; (3) you will develop the character essential to lifelong disciple-scholarship using gospel-centered learning, intellectual humility, and respectful engagement with others; and (4) you will discover the value of both contributing and belonging to the BYU community by embracing the Honor Code, the Dress and Grooming Standards, the Statement on Belonging, and current prophetic guidance; participating in activities and events; and serving others. This class is taught by a full-time BYU professor who has walked the path you are on and can be a mentor and guide as you navigate the university and learn how to become a disciple-scholar.  

 The heart of this course is the prophetic vision of a Zion university. Using the dual languages of spiritual guidance and intellectual discovery, we explore together how to use the community, environment, and resources of the university to successfully achieve the aims of a BYU education for yourself and to assist others in their quest for perfection and eternal life. This course is unique at the university in that its success depends on you trying out the things that we teach and sharing them with your peers. It depends heavily on developing the habits and practices of a disciple-scholar, including deliberate reflection, intellectual humility, peacemaking and civil discourse, curiosity, and a repentant mindset.  

 Credit: 2.0 credit/no-credit grading based on 100% completion to class standard of the following before the final day of class: 

  • In-class attendance and participation  
  • Four Reflections Essays  
  • Reading/Video Quizzes  
  • Self and Campus Discovery 
  • Final Project 

How Does Grading Work? 

You will receive a “P” on your transcript and credit for GE based on 100% completion of the course requirements. Completion means more than just turning something in. It requires each assignment to reach the standard expected at the university. Assignments turned in that don’t meet the standard can be redone until they meet course expectations. If you do not complete each required element of the course, you will not receive credit for the course. 

For further questions, email first_year_foundations@byu.edu.