Academic initiatives

Below is a brief summary of our academic initiatives – please note that some links will take you to a different UW Bothell webpage.

Discovery Core Experience

The Discovery Core Experience (DCX) courses are designed to support you in forming connections with communities of peers and scholars by encouraging you to take ownership of your growth through transformative learning, engaged scholarship, and active reflection. DCX courses are at the center of the First-Year & Premajor Program (FYPP) and include a wide range of electives that fulfill distribution and prerequisite requirements of UW Bothell; and provide students the opportunity to explore a range of topics such as biology, business, chemistry, mathematics, literature, writing, psychology, sociology, computer science, or philosophy. For more, visit the Discovery Core Experience page.

Meta-Majors Pathways

Meta-Majors Pathways are intended to help undergraduate students discover academic, co-curricular, and research opportunities at UW Bothell based on their intended major or field of interest. A meta-major pathway will show you various Degree Maps, which aim to help students visualize a path in order to plan courses each quarter.

First year composition

Our goal is to help students develop and refine the writing, reading, critical thinking, and research skills necessary to excel in upper-level university courses and beyond. Our first year composition courses offer space and time for students to practice rhetorical moves and make connections between early writing experiences and the academic writing culture of the university. Our curriculum reflects and supports the diversity of the University of Washington Bothell community by incorporating a broad range of perspectives as we teach students to communicate their ideas and demonstrate intellectual engagement. Learn more about composition courses at UW Bothell.

Leadership courses

Our courses are designed to equip students with essential leadership skills necessary for success in various contexts. Whether you’re interested in leading teams, developing people skills, mastering presentation techniques, or understanding collaboration in diverse environments, we have the courses tailored to meet your needs. Learn more about leadership courses at UW Bothell.

Data Analytics Minor

The Data Analytics Minor, approved for AUT 2023, is interdisciplinary and will allow students to develop computational, statistical, and interpretive skills necessary to apply data analysis to problems in their home discipline, while also carefully considering critiques of and the social context for such methods. Read more about the Data Analytics Minor.

STARS Program

The University of Washington Bothell State Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) program seeks to increase diversity and access for pre-major students interested in applying to and graduating with computer science or similar degrees, contributing to a more inclusive and representative workforce. STARS is designed to holistically support talented students who need additional STEM and college support. Students admitted to STARS gain individualized and long-lasting support through a community of students, staff, faculty, and industry mentors. Read more about the STARS program.