At Natural Sciences, there is an inclusive and safe study environment for all our students, academically as well as socially. On this page, you can read about the faculty’s academic approach to the first year of study and what is done prior to the commencement of studies and during the first year of study.

We want to support the transition to university life for our students even before the commencement of studies. AU’s introductory course Study@AU provides insight and experience with AU’s educational administrative systems, and a brush-up course in mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics for students who are deemed to need it.

The aim is to provide new Bachelor’s degree students with insight into different aspects of life as a new student before they commence their studies – IT systems, expectations/responsibilities, degree programme structure, where to get help and guidance – while also offering them an opportunity to strengthen their core skills in mathematics before starting their studies.

Aarhus University’s Centre for Educational Development (CED) assists lecturers at the faculty in developing specific courses, but also provides general information and guidance on the planning and conduct of courses for first-year students. Find more information at The first year of study.

However, CED is also available for support and guidance in connection with the planning and teaching of courses that are not part of the first year of study.

The academic environments play an important role in the students’ transition from upper secondary school to university, and at Natural Sciences we focus on the SMART-model (Structure, Mastery, Activity, Relation, Transformation). See examples from teaching activities below

We also support the students’ transition to university by

• offering guidance from the Student Counsellors’ Office, where students can talk to a student counsellor with special knowledge about their degree programme.
• encouraging students to reach out to their study groups, lecturers, student instructors and heads of degree programme when questions or doubts arise or when facing major challenges.
• training students in study techniques and providing information about  AU Studypedia.

Faculty-wide student retention initiatives are discussed, and knowledge is shared in the Student Retention Forum, where all departments are represented, together with a student counsellor and a representative from Nat-Tech Student Counselling and Study Information. The main tasks of the Student Retention Forum are:

• To collect information about and review the departments’ efforts to reduce dropout rates.
• To identify which initiatives should be cross-cutting and which should be implemented locally at the department level.
• To ensure coordination with key AU initiatives under the auspices of the Education Committee.
• To establish goals and a process plan for joint coordinated efforts at the faculty level.
• To obtain and share relevant knowledge about student retention.

See the terms of reference for the Student Retention Forum at Natural Sciences.

At Natural Sciences, most degree programmes offer mentoring schemes involving mentoring of first-year students by older students. On most programmes, each mentor is responsible for a large group of students.

The purpose of the mentoring programmes is for first-year students to have a safe forum where they can share their thoughts, doubts and challenges with like-minded people. The mentors facilitate dialogue about study-related issues and dilemmas and act as role models for their mentees, offering support and acting as a sounding board when it comes to life as a student.

The departments are responsible for hiring, coordinating and managing mentors and their day-to-day activities. Student Counselling and Study Information offers a course for the mentors to provide them with an understanding of what it means to be a mentor as well as tools to be able to facilitate useful dialogues with the students.