Fall 2025 FYEX Course Offerings

FYEX 100 is Millersville's  First Year Experience course designed to support new students in your transition to college life.  FYEX is a required class for all majors, and you may be prescheduled for your FYEX by your major department. If so, you will see FYEX 100 listed in your fall 2025 schedule when you view it during your Summer Welcome visit. 

If you view your Fall course schedule at that visit and no FYEX is listed, you get to select your own FYEX section. To be ready for that opportunity, please review the list below, which explains the unique topic or focus to our FYEX offerings.  Make a note of 3-5  favorite selections and bring that with you during the Summer Welcome visit.  You will meet with your department advisors who will help get your FYEX course scheduled! 

Becoming a Biologist

This course is designed for students embarking on their journey as a biology major. We will delve into a variety of topics to help students transition into college and meet academic expectations at the university level. The course is designed to foster a sense of belonging to the biology major and cultivate a scientific identity with an appreciation of biology in our everyday lives. Students need only bring a positive attitude, growth mindset, willingness to engage, and eagerness to build a skillset that will foster success in the biology major and beyond.

Success in Business

This dynamic freshman seminar is designed to help high school students navigate the transition to college with confidence. Students will explore goal setting, time and money management, leadership, teamwork, and effective communication—skills essential for academic and professional success. Special emphasis is placed on building financial literacy and developing smart budgeting habits early on. Through real-world examples and interactive learning, students will gain practical tools to succeed in college and prepare for future careers. We will also introduce foundational AI literacy, equipping students to engage responsibly and creatively with emerging technologies. Whether you're leading a group project or managing your personal finances, this course sets the foundation for thriving in college and beyond.

Leadership Through Sports - Lippy

This course will provide students with a basic platform from which they can plan their growth and development while at MU. It will serve as a guide to expanding one’s awareness of the world, how students fit into it and will introduce students to new interests or areas of study. A major component of this course will explore what “stepping outside your comfort zone” means, how to get comfortable being uncomfortable and how it can be a new tool for achieving the life they desire.

Leadership through Sports - Dupain

Teamwork. Passion. Perseverance. Confidence.
The skills participating in sports instills will benefit you far beyond the court, field, pool or rink. The true benefit of sport are the life skills that enables athletes to reach their fullest potential and become future leaders. This class explores leadership through sports.

To Infinity  Beyond - Lawson

The focus of this course is on Career Exploration. Students enrolled in the sections are either Exploratory Students (undecided) or students who choose career exploration as an area of interest to them. The focus for the entire course is on transitional topics (college success) and career exploration (a deep dive into possible careers of interest including job skills and requirements, market saturation, salary and benefits, working environment, travel required, promotion opportunities, etc.).

To Infinity and Beyond - Mbindyo 

This first-year seminar for Exploratory/Undeclared freshmen examines transitional elements for college success. An in-depth exploration of the “how” and “why” students are successful in the classroom with emphasis on how a positive mindset, identification and mastery of executive functions, and implementation of academic behaviors are critical for success in college level coursework. Additionally, an in-depth assessment of self by identifying aptitudes, interests, and values will bring increased confidence in the selection of a major that gives rise to a fulfilling career.

To Infinity  Beyond (Gateway Students) - Williams

This course will highlight skills, strategies, and behaviors that lead to success as a college student. In addition, students will be exposed to key elements, departments and behaviors that contribute to student success at Millersville University. Students in this course will have opportunities to explore their Millersville University journey and the role their individual identities and individual differences may play in the decisions they make and the goals they set for themselves. Students will have an opportunity to practice the skills necessary for college, while they participate in activities that help them discover who they are while exploring their major or career interests. Utlimately, students will be given time to reflect on of their experiences in their past and the experiences they will have during their first semester at Millersville University.

Womxn Who Rock!

Womxn Who Rock! This course explores the stories of trailblazing womxn in music from the Middle Ages to today. Have you heard of Mozart, the musical genius? If so, did you know that he had a sister with similar talents and abilities? Did you know that Elvis Presley’s big hit, “Hound Dog'' was first recorded by a woman? We will look at music as it developed over the past millennium through the lens of the often overlooked – the Womxn who Rock!

Set the Stage: Music Industry!

Set the Stage for a Career in the Music Industry! This seminar is designed specifically for music majors enrolled in any of our music industry tracks. We discuss career paths in the music industry, as well as the hard and soft skills necessary to embark on those paths. Topics include navigating the Music Industry curriculum at MU, developing efficient practice techniques and time management skills, cultivating creativity, and preparing for meaningful internships.

Cultivating Connections in Sport

Communication, teamwork, preparation: these are core values deeply ingrained in the fabric of sport. Importantly, their significance extends far beyond the field of competition. In this course, you’ll explore how these core principles are also embedded within the sport profession. Our primary focus will be how to cultivate, strengthen, and utilize connections – with peers, with industry professionals, and through digital platforms – so you can navigate and thrive within this dynamic industry.

Chemistry in your Life

Chemistry is all around us including the colors we see, the food we eat, and the materials we use every day. This course will examine the chemistry of the world around us. We will discuss properties of molecules and light and learn what comprises the materials we use in daily life. This course does not have a laboratory component, but some hands-on activities will be incorporated.

Learning by Doing

Discover the power of learning through hands-on experiences. This first-year seminar emphasizes design, technology, and engineering approaches to learning by solving real-life problems. Together we will explore some of the challenges of adapting to college and how to make what you are learning meaningful. Being able to put your learning into action, is powerful for you and for others. Join this session to collaborate and learn by doing.

Exploring Earth Systems

Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land, life, and energy are all interconnected within the “Earth System.” For example, hurricanes draw energy from the oceans and land to intensify and can greatly impact all life within its path. Fortunately, many negative impacts from our weather and climate can be mitigated by proactive emergency managers. In this course, you will: (1) embrace your natural curiosity by exploring state-of-the-art research on our Earth System, (2) discover your passion and career goals within the meteorology and emergency management disciplines, and (3) develop the skills necessary for being successful in college and beyond. 

Problem Solving Through Team Challenge Activities

College presents numerous problems which require deft navigation to successfully graduate. Graduation, and future careers, also bring new problems and situations that need to be solved and navigated. This course will introduce the student to key concepts in being successful in college and in gaining problem solving skills through team activities that will force students to work together to progress. Students will learn problem solving skills through an experiential learning model which is basically learning by doing. The Millersville University ropes course will be utilized throughout the semester to engage students in active learning.

Take a Hike!

Experience outdoor education through a series of hikes with embedded activities in Lancaster County. Students will need transportation to the trail heads (e.g., car pooling). Hikes are once a month and typically over weekends. A unique notebooking strategy is used throughout the course.

More Than A Game

Football is the most popular spectator sport in the United States. From the NFL draft to Super Bowl watch parties, football brings together family, friends, and communities, while providing a source of friendly competition between towns, cities, and states. At the same time, football is violent. The average pro career is relatively short lasting just 3.3 years from hard hits and collisions. This seminar explores the game of football, examining its history, controversies, and cultural impact in American society. Students will not be asked to play football or attend games in person, but to stay up to date on the current season, and analyze issues.

Be the Change! Exploring Social Justice in the US

Do you want to be the change you wish to see in the world? Your journey of exploring social justice and finding inspiration to make positive social change starts here! Utilizing a social justice perspective and a human rights framework, we will explore social problems, social justice heroes of the past, and current ways to make the world a better place. In this class, you will learn about campus resources –both academic and social –to help you thrive. This course will culminate with your production of a scholarly electronic research poster delineating a social justice warrior of pure inspiration.

Set the Stage: Music Ed and Performance!

Performers….educators….entrepreneurs….the Tell School's three-pronged approach to our students is introduced and explored through our FYEX 100 course. We explore being a performer through learning and demonstrating practice and performance skills. Students will learn about the music education program - including the basics of teaching and material that will set them up for later methods courses.

The evolutionary history of the human body

The human body is the product of millions of years of evolution. This course invites you to investigate how it came to be by examining our genes and exploring the evolution of vertebrate anatomy through investigations in paleontology, comparative anatomy and evolutionary developmental biology. In this course, you will: (1) engage your curiosity by exploring state-of-the-art research, (2) explore your interests and career goals in biology, medicine, and allied health professions, and (3) develop essential skills for being successful in college and beyond. Whether you're fascinated by human evolution, planning a career in healthcare, or exploring your academic path, this course offers a powerful introduction to how science helps us understand the human body—and ourselves.

Critiquing Nutrition Advice from Social Media

The past few years we have witnessed a shift in how people are seeking health-related information.  Many people find information from social media. Individuals utilizing social media are bombarded with unverified health-related information, especially concerning nutritional advice. This first-year course will examine the process for sifting through this nutritional advice to access sound, evidence-based nutritional guidance. Additionally, students will learn how to be well-informed consumers of information and to critically analyze and then normalize to the general population recommendations for healthy eating patterns.

Sports in U.S Culture

Throughout history, sports have played an important role in the cultures of many societies around the world – and the United States is no exception. What many people tend to overlook, however, is that events in, and aspects of, sports often have far deeper meanings and consequences than just simply the final score of a game. This course examines the various sports (including baseball, basketball, football, boxing, pro wrestling, and others) and their role in U.S. society over history. We will investigate the relationship between sports and issues as gender, social class, family, identity, ethnicity, and nationalism in order to study how developments in sports have influenced, and have been influenced by, the larger society/culture and vice-versa. You do not necessarily have to be a sports fan to understand or enjoy this course. Remember that our focus is not so much on just the game itself, but rather what happened off the field and its impact on the broader society.

Psychology

This course introduces students to psychology theories and concepts and how they relate to our everyday lives. In addition, students will learn about careers in Psychology and be introduced to critical thinking and writing in the behavioral sciences. Students will also learn strategies for enhancing mental health and student success.

The Power of Story

Many researchers are describing how story-making is inextricably bound up with our species and how we use it to experience and shape the world throughout histories and cultures. How does story work in making sense of our own lives, the ways we “story” our futures, and the ways we seek to move others? Interested in content-creation, marketing, or storytelling in any medium? This is a class for exploring the story you will tell about you.

What (and Who) are Computer Scientists

The intent of the course is to examine, identify, and comprehend computer science in a broader context than the process of programming. Students will examine seminal papers that both explore the philosophical foundations of computer science and provide an appreciation of the wide scope of the field. Along with exploring the roots of computer science, the future of the field will also be investigated so that students may comprehend the wide variety of applications and implications of computer science. The seminar format will allow students to actively discuss and investigate the material along with their classmates and professor. Students will acquire and utilize problem-solving strategies in a variety of assignments. Students will be expected to read computer science journal articles, reflect on the content, and participate in peer group and class discussions. As a community of computer science majors, working collaboratively in small groups and with their professor, the course will also support students' transitions into the college experience as computer science majors academically, socially, and personally.

The Politics of Food

What you eat is more political than you think. This course explores how food connects to power, inequality, culture, and the environment. From farming to fast food, what’s on your plate links to big issues like climate change, poverty, health, labor, and global trade. Whether you care about sustainability, workers' rights, public health—or just love to eat—The Politics of Food is an eye-opening way to start your college journey. Get ready to look at every meal differently.

Introduction to Human Rights

This interdisciplinary course explores the history, meaning, and foundation of human rights as standard for governance. It examines the universality of human rights within the contexts of religious, social, political, and economic realities of our contemporary era. Students will engage with basic human rights documents that govern the practice of human rights beginning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Students are encouraged in this course to make use of examples from our contemporary world to understand the significance of human rights to our society.

Headlines, History, and You

Despite appearances, today’s news is not inexplicable. It’s not even new. Everything has a history, and it all has a relationship to your life. This course will guide you in becoming a better analyst of the world you live in. It will help you develop an informed perspective on the events occurring around you, it will teach you how to make sense of their histories, and how to place them in their political, social, economic, and cultural contexts. You’ll learn to make connections between the news and your life, finding meaning and coherence in your experiences as you transition to adulthood.

Life's a Game: Let's Play to Win!

Throughout the mammal kingdom play is a way in which both humans and other animals learn everything from survival, socializing and combat. In this course students will engage in a collection of games, team building activities and hand’s on problem solving exercises that will help them learn valuable skills ranging from networking, conceptualizing and strategy. Students will visit locations on campus like the Ropes Course and Student Memorial center and meet with key personnel who can share expertise on an array of important topics and issues that students may have to encounter during their experience at Millersville.

Discovering Nature

Do you have a passion for the outdoors? Do you love to observe nature and wonder why? This class explores the natural world and considers ways that we study the Earth's processes and features so that we better understand humanity's affect on our environment. Join us as we explore the impact nature has on humans and how humans impact nature!

How Things Work

This course will introduce students to a broader picture of physics and will focus on the critical concepts. Students will also be introduced with brief history of physics. Students will learn philosophical differences among Greek’s era, Newtonian Physics and Modern Physics. Students will learn how the ideas of physics helped develop the society and technical development. The emphasis will be to reinforce the importance of solid training in fundamental physics concepts as the mechanism for making impacts in areas that are relavent to every day life. Students will write reports of physics personalities and their contributions to the society using literature survey. Students will also be introduced to test taking skills and time management techniques.

From Pi to i thru e

What? The three numbers Pi, i, and e are related? How is this even possible? This seminar jump-starts the process of intellectual inquiry through a free exchange of ideas during and outside of class. Instructors mentor and assist students in developing a meaningful and purposeful approach of their college experiences.