UBS Course Development Resources

UB Seminar Syllabus Examples

Below are examples of approved UB Seminars. Approved courses successfully reflect the dual nature of the UBS program. They not only seek to inspire students’ intellectual curiosity but also introduce the skills needed to succeed in college.

UB Seminar Best Practices

The best practices outlined below intend to present the UB Seminar’s purpose and offer guidelines to help you design and run your class as effectively as possible, while avoiding some of the more common pitfalls.The potential value of the UB Seminar for students -- particularly for at-risk populations who traditionally have had lower four year graduation rates -- is enormous. Faculty engagement and support for the initiative is critical if that potential is to be realized.

Learning Outcome Resources

  • Sample assignments and activities

 

  • Sample assignments and activities 
  • Campus resources
  • Academic Integrity 
  • Class Visit Recommendations
  • Video modules and discussion prompts on study strategies, office hours, organization, and overcoming obstacles.
  • Go to video playlist

Academic Integrity Resource

The Office of Academic Integrity has developed a 30-45 online module to introduce students to UB’s policy and the high standards they are held to, with the goal of preventing infractions. This may be a tool you’d like to utilize to help you address the academic integrity learning outcome in the seminar. All new students will be automatically enrolled in the course and will get a digital badge upon completion that they can present to you. For more information, please visit the Academic Integrity website or contact Kelly Ahuna at kha@buffalo.edu.

Considerations for Majors & Minors

The UB Seminar is not intended for majors, but instead for students who are simply interested in a topic. Faculty expectations should be adjusted accordingly. In addition, the UBS is likely the smallest course many of your students are taking. As a result, the instructor is in a unique position to help students make decisions about their college careers.

Strategies:

  • Discuss majors in class. How did the students decide on their major? Emphasize that it is ok to switch majors, to be undecided, to consider minors, certificates, and micro-credentials.
  • Weekly or daily reflections that are graded on the quality of thought rather than the writing can help generate conversations between the instructor and the student about courses or areas that might be of interest to the student.
  • Around registration time, consider showing up early—possibly with departmental course catalog in hand—to discuss course choices.
  • Encourage students to participate in on- and off-campus events.
  • Consider working with students through the Project Portal

Facilitating Difficult Conversations