U T Tower

Getting the Most Out of Academics

academics Many academic support programs have been established at The University of Texas at Austin to enhance the student learning experience. Through cohort experiences, small-format seminars, research opportunities, study abroad and much more, the following programs and offices add a personalized touch to your time at UT Austin and allow you to take full advantage of the many opportunities that are available to you here.

First-year Interest Group (FIG) and Transfer Interest (TrIG) Group Programs

First-year Interest Groups (FIGs) are cohorts of up to 25 first-year students who take one to four courses together. In addition, FIG cohorts attend a one-hour weekly seminar, which is facilitated by a professional staff member and a peer mentor. Students take part in discussions about issues they will encounter as first-semester UT Austin students, including study and time management strategies, social opportunities and issues, campus life, involvement opportunities and more.

FIGs are grouped according to a theme or area of academic interest that makes it easy for students to form study groups. In addition to taking classes in common with other new students, FIG students will satisfy degree requirements, forge a link between academic and social experiences, have regular contact with peers, staff and faculty, and be introduced to academic and nonacademic resources at The University of Texas at Austin.

For more information about FIGs, please visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/fig or telephone 512-232-3447.

Transfer Interest Group (TrIG)

Transfer Interest Groups (TrIGs) are specially designed to address the unique needs of transfer students. They follow a similar guideline as FIGs with emphasis on meaningful resources that are relevant to a transfer student’s transition to The University of Texas at Austin.

Residential FIGs

A Residential FIG is an opportunity for students in the same FIG to live together and take classes together for an entire academic year. Residential FIG students will have a room in one of the co-educational buildings in the Whitis Court Residence Hall, be a part of a close-knit group that lives and studies together, enroll in a FIG, and participate in a community service project each semester.

For more information, visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/fig/resfigs. You may also contact FIG staff at 512-232-3447 or housing staff at 512-471-3136. When on campus, visit the Division of Housing and Food Service, 200 W. Dean Keeton Street.

Bridging Disciplines Programs

The Bridging Disciplines Programs (BDPs) at The University of Texas at Austin allow students to earn an interdisciplinary certificate in one of nine different concentration areas:

It takes 19 credit hours to earn a BDP certificate in one of these areas. BDPs combine courses that fulfill core requirements, electives and courses with unique research and internships that connect the BDP topic with the students major and career goals. The BDP helps students plan the courses they take in an integrated way, giving them the opportunity to develop a secondary area of specialization without added semesters.

One of the goals of the BDPs is to help students make their education fit their individual interests and goals. BDP advisors are available to help students find courses, research opportunities, and internship experiences that complement their major, while also supporting their developing knowledge and experience not otherwise found in a degree plan.

BDPs are open to all undergraduates at The University of Texas at Austin. With careful planning, a BDP can complement almost any degree. However, because the BDPs build on area requirements and electives, it is important that students start early in their university career. We recommend that students begin by taking a Forum Seminar in their freshman or sophomore year.

For further information about the Bridging Disciplines Programs, an Undergraduate Studies program, please telephone the BDP office at 512-232-7564 or visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/bdp. On campus, the BDP office is located in the Flawn Academic Center (FAC), Room 33

Center for Strategic Advising

The Center for Strategic Advising is responsible for fostering an environment in which undergraduate students are able to explore their educational options in the greater context of their ever-developing life plans and goals. Through purposeful and intentional interaction with academic advising professionals, students learn about themselves, their capabilities, and their values on the path to determining a choice of academic major.

Forum Seminars

Forum Seminar (BDP 101) courses are one-credit courses that allow freshman and sophomore students to sample a range of topics centered on contemporary, social and intellectual issues. Featuring weekly discussions with faculty from a variety of departments, Forum Seminars permit students to sample potential majors, learn about interesting classes within UT Austin departments, and explore a topic of interest outside of their degree plans. Forum Seminar students can learn about some of the research that goes on at UT Austin and get to know a wide range of potential professors. Students may even learn about internship, research and volunteer opportunities. Forum Seminars are foundation course requirements for the Bridging Disciplines Programs.

BDP 101 Forum Seminar topics include: Children and Society; Environmental Change and Sustainability; Exploring Digital Arts and Media; Going Global: Topics in International Studies; Health Inequality in Childhood and Adolescence; Image and Society: Exploring Visual Culture; Introduction to Film Studies; Introduction to International Studies; Introduction to the Non-profit World; Lessons in Ethical Leadership Studies; and Professional Ethics in Law, Business and Medicine.

For more information about the Forum Seminars, visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/bdp/courses or telephone the Bridging Disciplines Program at 512-232-7564.

Longhorn Scholars Program

The Longhorn Scholars Program is a four-year honors program for top 10% students from selected Texas high schools whose graduates have historically been underrepresented at The University of Texas at Austin. All Longhorn Scholars are awarded scholarships to attend UT Austin.

Participation in the Longhorn Scholars Program is by invitation only. To be eligible, students must graduate from a participating Texas high school and be recipients of a qualifying scholarship, including the Longhorn Opportunity Scholarship (LOS), the Presidential Achievement Scholarship (PAS), and the Terry Scholarship.

Longhorn Scholars enjoy numerous benefits throughout their four years at UT Austin, including advising support, peer support, program events, a diverse curriculum of small and large classes taught by outstanding professors, opportunities to make connections across disciplines and participation in faculty research.

For more information about the Longhorn Scholars Program, visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/lsp/ or telephone the Longhorn Scholars Program office at 512-232-7585.

Maymester Abroad

The Maymester Abroad program gives UT Austin students the unique opportunity to study in a foreign country with a UT Austin professor. Maymester courses take place during the four weeks immediately following the end of the spring semester. These study abroad programs are coordinated by the Office of the Provost, the Study Abroad Office, and the UT Austin schools and colleges. For more information, visit www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/mm.html.

Office of Undergraduate Research

Every undergraduate at The University of Texas at Austin has the opportunity to become a researcher and take part in the vibrant intellectual work of the university. Undergraduates bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the research process and are valuable contributors to this work. In the Office of Undergraduate Research, we connect students to research opportunities and resources, raise awareness of undergraduate research in all disciplines and provide support to faculty and advisors who work with undergraduates. Services offered through the Office of Undergraduate Research include weekly information sessions on getting involved in research, individual advising sessions and workshops on a variety of topics tailored to the needs of student groups and advisors. We also offer a workshop series that guides students through the process of submitting an abstract and presenting their work at a national conference.

To facilitate involvement in undergraduate research, Undergraduate Studies offers two course numbers students may use to receive credit for research experiences with UT Austin faculty: UGS 310 and UGS 320. Enrollment for these courses is coordinated through the Office of Undergraduate Research.

The Office of Undergraduate Re-search also administers EUREKA (www.utexas.edu/research/eureka/about/index.php), an online guide to faculty research and research opportunities for undergraduates at UT Austin. The site provides a searchable database of more than 2,000 faculty research profiles, a list of faculty projects with opportunities for undergraduates, a research guide with information on getting started, and spotlights on successful faculty/student collaborations. For more information on the Office of Undergraduate Research, please telephone 512-232-7564, or visit our Web site at www.utexas.edu/ugs/ugr.

Signature Courses

Signature Courses are designed for first-year students to help them make the transition from promising high school students to successful college students. Signature Courses will cover topics of contemporary interest from an interdisciplinary perspective and will introduce students to the unique resources of the university. Students enrolled in Signature Courses will also hone their writing, speaking and critical thinking skills, which will help to prepare them for subsequent college-level coursework. Signature Courses are taught in both large lecture and small seminar formats and are available in both the fall and spring semesters. For more information, please see your academic advisor.

UT in D.C./Archer Program

The UT in D.C./Archer Program offers qualified UT Austin juniors and seniors the opportunity to study and to intern in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with the internship, students pursue courses in Government and Communication Studies taught by faculty from UT Austin and the Washington, D.C. community. The UT in D.C./Archer Program is a joint effort of The University of Texas at Austin, the UT System Office of Federal Relations, and the Archer Center. For more information, visit www.utexas.edu/ugs/utindc.

Gateway Scholars Programs

Achieving College Excellence (ACE) Program

ACE is an academic support program for students wanting additional assistance to meet their educational goals. ACE provides academic support through career and study skills workshops, graduate school preparation and tutoring. The ACE Program staff is committed to guiding students to the campus resources that meet their needs and to encourage students to reach their highest potential.

Gateway Program

The Gateway Scholars Program is a selective two-year program that provides a small college atmosphere and interactive learning community for highly motivated UT Austin students. Students under consideration for Gateway must have achieved a solid academic record in high school and must be strongly motivated to meet the demands of the university. Through a selective process, the review committee identifies students who would benefit from Gateway’s limited enrollment classes, support services, group association and extra-curricular opportunities. Preference is given to students who are the first in their families to attend college.

The program seeks to introduce Gateway students to the university’s vast resources and encourage each student to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available. Gateway offers regular credit courses in the following areas of study: Biology, Chemistry, Critical Thinking, Economics, English, Math and Spanish. In addition to an enriched classroom experience and individualized assistance, the Gateway Scholars Program provides professional academic advising, collaborative learning, counseling, free tutoring and opportunities for social, cultural, civic and recreational engagement.

UTransition

UTransition assists incoming transfer students with their transition to UT Austin by introducing them to the academic and social support services available. UTransition provides students with such support services as free tutoring, individual advising, academic support, study-skills workshops and peer counseling.

A separate component of UTransition introduces prospective transfer students to UT Austin. UTransition partners with Austin Community College (ACC) to present transfer information sessions on all six Austin-area campuses during the fall and spring semesters. Staff from the Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Admissions, Office of International Admissions, Office of Student Financial Services, and representatives from various colleges present pertinent information about their respective departments.

Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, Summer Scholars Program

The Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, Summer Scholars Program is a year-long program that provides an introduction to life and learning at UT Austin.

As part of the summer component of the program, students may attend a one-week orientation at UT Austin and enroll in six semester hours of regular college courses prior to the fall semester for which they were admitted. During the summer and the following year, students also participate in a variety of events and workshops relevant to academic success, social engagement and cultural awareness. These events and workshops are sponsored by the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, Summer Scholars Program to encourage interaction among students, staff and faculty.

Students selected to participate in Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, Summer Scholars Program must possess an academic record that indicates outstanding academic potential, strong motivation and involvement in extracurricular activities. Priority is given to recipients of the Presidential Achievement Scholarship.

To learn more about the Gateway Scholars programs, visit the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence online at www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/lcae/ or telephone 512-471-1205. Our office is located in the Student Services Building (SSB), 4.400.

TRiO Programs

Longhorn Link Program

The Longhorn Link Program (LLP) is a TRiO Student Support Services Program that provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements and motivates students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program serves 160 eligible participants annually.

LLP goals are to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next. Program services include academic advising, first-year priority registration, career and personal counseling, financial aid information, peer advising, free tutoring, cultural and social activities, travel opportunities, graduate/professional school planning and monthly workshops focusing on academic development and career preparation.

To learn more and/or to apply, visit www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/lcae/longhornlink.php.

McNair Scholars Program

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program is a TRiO Program designed to increase the number of students in doctoral degree programs who are low-income and first-generation undergraduates, or students who come from groups underrepresented in graduate education. Federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program serves 25 eligible participants annually.

Juniors or above are selected from all academic disciplines, but primary focus is given to disciplines in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The 25 McNair Scholars participate in exploratory programming offered through a series of monthly colloquia at UT Austin, and in mentoring relationships with committed faculty. Activities include graduate school exploration, GRE preparation, how to write effective personal statements, financial aid preparation, academic advisement, counseling, and assistance in securing enrollment and financial support for entry into graduate school. Furthermore, the McNair Scholars will have access to other support services designed to prepare them for successful enrollment in doctoral study.

For more information and/or to apply, please visit www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/lcae/mcnair.php.

Texas Interdisciplinary Plan

Texas Interdisciplinary Plan (TIP) Scholars are exceptionally motivated students who have demonstrated academic excellence. They are willing to challenge themselves and are committed to their own learning. TIP Scholars plan to pursue a major in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences. Each year, the TIP Scholars program invites 2,500 students to apply, selecting only 300 applicants to participate in its rigorous academic experience. TIP Scholars benefit from a small college atmosphere while at this large research institution. They enjoy reserved seats in core courses, upper-division mentors, free tutoring, belonging to a small academic community and being known as an individual. TIP Scholars achieve higher GPAs, graduate at higher rates, and receive prestigious awards and scholarships.

To learn more, visit www.utexas.edu/tip or telephone 512-232-6493. The TIP office is located in the Geography Building, Room 234.

The Texas IP

The Texas IP, a component of the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan, provides the opportunity to design an interdisciplinary minor on a topic of personal interest. Working with a consultant, students select a topic, identify courses that examine the topic from different perspectives, then write a topic proposal that is submitted for faculty approval. Students may apply for research, internships, study abroad and conference presentation scholarships. They also form partnerships with faculty while working on a research project in their senior year and submit a Capstone article for publication. Some of the 42 topics proposed this past year include "Medical Ethics," "Ethics and American Democracy," "Conflict Resolution," and "U.S.-Asian Relations." During 2008, 15 IP students received travel scholarships to study in Ghana, Panama, Italy, and nine other countries.

Visit www.utexas.edu/tip/TexasIP for more information, or telephone Madison Searle at 512-232-2772. The Texas IP office is located in the Geography Building, Room 234.