The University 101 department has created four courses to help students become successful academically. Each course provides students with a different experience, and no two courses, even of the same group, are every the same.

University 101, a first-year student seminar, is the longest running of the four courses. Introduced in 1972, University 101 is a three credit hour, letter-graded course for first-year and transfer students.  The course is an elective for the majority of its enrollees, however some colleges and programs require their students to take specialized sections of the course.  Over the years, student enrollment has risen to approximately 80% of the incoming freshman class.  University 101 is offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, although the vast majority of USC-Columbia students enroll in the fall.  Credit is applicable as elective or required credit toward graduation depending on the student’s program of study.  Special sections of the course have been established for members of various subgroups such as Capstone Scholars, students with the same major, students living in the same residence hall, and transfer students.

University 201 focuses on the essential components of research. Each year the University 201 topics change to engage students in current interests and events. University 201 is often taught by a teaching team of university faculty and Peer Leader

Students living in residential colleges will enjoy class discussions in University 290. University 290 is a series of interdisciplinary discussions for residential college students.  May be repeated twice for credit under a different suffix and topic.

Seniors preparing for the transition to their career or graduate school following graduation will benefit from reflecting on their college experience in University 401. University 401 reviews the accomplishments of the undergraduate experience and prepares students for their transition out of the university into either the workplace or graduate studies.  Students enrolled in specific sections of University 401 usually share the same academic major and/or career goals (i.e. pre-med, pre-law, journalism and mass communications, industrial chemistry, etc.) and often includes a Peer Leader who has taken the class previously. The course is designed to assist students in bringing closure to their college experience through systematic, intentional reflection on both the student's major and, in general, their liberal arts education.  Students do original research and exchange their results through reports and discussions.