An Interdisciplinary Study of the SARS Virus: A One-Semester First-Year Seminar

The rationale for the first-year seminar is to introduce freshmen to the university. The basic components of a first-year seminar are academic integrity, skill development, a sense of community, active and collaborative learning strategies, and technology. All freshmen must take a first-year seminar that consists primarily of freshmen, although upperclassmen may take the seminar depending on the course number. In this article, the authors present an interdisciplinary study of the SARS virus which provides opportunities for students in different disciplines to discuss the origin; spread; and global, economic, chemical, and biological aspects of the disease. Students benefit from these active discussions with each other and share their knowledge with others in a semester-end poster session. The authors conclude that teaching a first-year seminar on the SARS virus was exciting and enjoyable. Moreover, the academic and intellectual challenge of preparing to teach a new course is rewarded many times over by the sharing and learning that occurred with the students on a daily basis.