Introductory Seminars

Setting Up IntroSems Course Records

Once a seminar is approved by the DFO and department chair, department course administrators set up the IntroSem course record in Coursedog, using a specific component type and suffix unique to IntroSems in Axess. The IntroSem online catalog and student application system pull information from the course record in Axess, so it's important for the course to be set up correctly as an Introductory Seminar.

Primary Instructor

Only the Primary Instructor(s) should be listed on the official class record for an IntroSem in Coursedog/Axess. Please note, IntroSems does not support the use of Teaching Assistants (TAs) or Course Assistants (CAs) as the key pedagogic mission of the seminars is that first- and second-year students have the opportunity to work with faculty directly.

Axess Component Types and Catalog Suffixes

When creating a new course record for an IntroSem, please ensure that the course is designated with the appropriate course component type and catalog suffix for an Introductory Seminar--

  • An Introductory Seminar for First-Year Students has a course component type of "SU Intro Seminar - Freshman" (IntrSemFr / ISF). Add the suffix, "N", to the catalog number to designate it as a Frosh IntroSem (e.g., BIO 7N).
  • A Sophomore Introductory Seminar has a course component type of "SU Intro Seminar - Sophomore" (IntrSemSo / ISS). Add the suffix, "Q", to the catalog number to designate it as a Sophomore IntroSem (e.g., ENGLISH 94Q).
  • A Sophomore Introductory Seminar Dialogue has a course component component type of "SU Intro Dialogue - Sophomore" (IntrDialSo / IDS). Add the suffix, "Q", to the catalog number to designate it as a Sophomore IntroSem Dialogue (e.g., MED 50Q). A Dialogue has a smaller enrollment than a Sophomore IntroSem (typically less than 6), but still prioritizes sophomores.

The online IntroSems course catalog, the IntroSems' application system, and BI reporting tools rely on using these distinctive component types in Axess.

Catalog Numbers

Because IntroSems are undergraduate courses designed to appeal to first- and second-year students, please consider assigning a catalog number that is under 100 (e.g., BIO 7N, ENGLISH 94Q, MED 50Q).

Cross Listings

IntroSems may be cross listed, but requesting new cross listings is under the purview of the seminar instructor according to an individual department’s approval process. If approved, the course administrators should coordinate setting up the cross listings in Coursedog. If a cross listing is added to an IntroSem, please email introsems@stanford.edu so we are sure to update the Explore IntroSems catalog and student application system and manage enrollment settings across all subject listings. 

Axess Course ID and IntroSems' Student Application System

The Axess course ID number links the course record to the IntroSems' VCA, the student application system for priority enrollment. Through this systems sync, course information automatically pulls into the IntroSems' VCA from Axess including --

  • seminar title
  • catalog number
  • quarter
  • component type
  • class days, times, and location
  • units
  • grading basis
  • Ways certification

It is important for the IntroSem to be set up correctly in Coursedog for this reason.