This blog post is the second in our Course Spotlight series which breaks down what to expect in CSE students’ most common first year courses. Check it out for more on what to expect in CSE's first-year experience course: CSE 1001.
All incoming first-year CSE students enroll in CSE 1001. The following Q&A with Kelsey Schlichting-Johnson, Assistant Director of Academic Advising & New Student Programs Coordinator, breaks down the purpose of this course and what to expect.
What can I expect to learn from this course?
CSE 1001 is a first-year experience course for all incoming first-year CSE students. It is meant to be an extension of orientation by acclimating students to the University of Minnesota and college in general by providing space for community to grow and connect with others in the class. The course covers a variety of topics, including but not limited to: success in and out of the classroom, major exploration, time management and academic skills, diversity, equity, inclusion and implicit bias, student engagement opportunities, and career and resume preparation. The course is only one (1) credit, so it does not require a lot of extra coursework.
How are grades usually calculated in this course?
There are not many assignments in the course, as it is only one (1) credit. The majority of points contributing to the final grade of the course are derived from attendance and participation. There are a handful of reflections, a presentation on a CSE major, a required meeting with the TA who is a current CSE student, and a few other items. The purpose of the course is not to load students up with more homework, but rather to provide a space for you to connect with other CSE students and build some useful skills for succeeding in college.
What study tips do you have for your students?
As mentioned above, CSE 1001 is not time intensive. In fact, the hope is that what you learn from this course will help you to study well and be more effective with your time management, so that you can be successful in your other courses. Apart from that, I recommend that each student determine what their learning and study styles are. Once a student knows that, they can utilize it and be effective with their studies the rest of the time in college!
What resource(s) exist to help support my academic success?
There are a number of resources that you can access to be academically successful here. Numerous resources are linked in the Canvas page for CSE 1001, and you can access further resources via this page. The Tutoring & Academic Success Centers page is a great starting to point. If you aren't sure where to start, you can always reach out to your CSE Academic Advisor or your CSE 1001 Instructor.
When should I contact my instructor vs. my TA?
In general, you can reach out to your CSE 1001 instructor with any questions you have. Oftentimes, the TA will have more familiarity with questions pertaining to being a current student (i.e. what should I expect if I go to the Physics Study Room?).
Is there any other advice you have for me?
CSE 1001 may seem like a course that you want to shrug off or ignore. But, the content in the course is intentionally assembled to help students be successful here in CSE, so take advantage of the opportunities to grow!
