All Signature Courses offer an expansive array of topics taught by faculty from every school and college at UT Austin. In these classes, students acquire knowledge through the symbiotic relationship of interdisciplinary study. For example, science will inform your interpretation of a painting and vice versa, or you will see how law, foreign policy, marketing, and education all influence the economy. Seminars also introduce you to the resources of the university and assist you in identifying interesting subjects for further research and future careers.
The seminar-format Signature Courses (UGS 302) are small, 18-student classes that offer first-year students the opportunity to interact closely with a faculty member and their peers through class discussion. All UGS 302s carry the Writing flag.
The large-format Signature Courses (UGS 303) connect students to some of UT’s top faculty who do some of their best teaching in a large format. These courses range from 50-250 students, but discussion sessions of 17 students create the intimate environment found in the seminars. Select UGS 303 courses carry the Writing flag.
Difficult Dialogues Signature Courses feature dialogue-based learning, in which students engage with the course topic from multiple points of view. Faculty are trained to teach students the skills they need to participate in constructive dialogue about controversial and potentially divisive issues. Visit this page for more information.
The First-Year Experience Office launched our inaugural Signature May Terms in May 2021. Signature May Terms are four-week, three-credit Signature Courses that take place in an international location from late May to mid-June and are led by a UT faculty director. A one-credit preparatory course is offered during the spring. Tuition for all four credits is included in the spring flat-rate tuition at no additional cost. Transfer students, traditionally underrepresented in study abroad, will have priority in registering for these unique Signature Courses. For more information and to view current offerings, visit the Texas Global page.
T C 302 Signature Courses are reserved for students in the Plan II Honors Program.
View the course schedule to see a list of current UGS 302 and 303 courses.