First-Year Experience
Every incoming first-year business student is part of a unique student cohort. Within your cohort you will take many of the foundation courses that are part of the required first-and second-year UIC Business curriculum. These cohorts are strategically designed to deliver the key combination of hard and soft skills you will need to be successful in the workplace.
Starting from day one on campus, a success team composed of peers, faculty mentors, career coaches, and academic advisers will work closely with you to help achieve your academic and professional goals.
In Their Own Words Heading link
“I loved BA101 because it helped me learn about the different types of majors UIC has to offer. My favorite part was getting to learn more about internships and how to get them later on because they show how it will be beneficial for my future!”
| Marketing Major ('25)
Building Community Heading link
Beyond the classroom, the UIC Business cohort program supports your social, emotional, professional and academic growth through unique features such as Cohort Captain peer mentors and professional mentorship.
Schedule Heading link
Cohort Schedule
In the fall semester, you will take your BA 101 course with your cohort. It is very important that you not make any changes to your registration in the fall as it will affect your cohort assignment, which is structured to provide you with a well-rounded experience.* Denotes Cohort Courses
| Freshman | Sophomore | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | BA 100 | 1 | ACTG 211* | 3 | |||||||
| BA 101* | 0 | FIN 300* | 3 | ||||||||
| COMM 100/General Education Requirement | 3/4 | BA 200 | 3 | ||||||||
| ENGL 160 | 3 | MKTG 360 | 3 | ||||||||
| MATH | 5 | IDS 270 | 4 | ||||||||
| ECON 120 | 3 | ||||||||||
| TOTAL HOURS | 15/16 | TOTAL HOURS | 16 | ||||||||
| Spring | ACTG 210* | 3 | MGMT 340* | 3 | |||||||
| COMM 100/General Education Requirement | 3/4 | IDS 200 | 4 | ||||||||
| ENGL 161 | 3 | BA 220 | 1 | ||||||||
| MATH | 5 | Major Courses/Electives | 9 | ||||||||
| TOTAL HOURS | 15/16 | TOTAL HOURS | 16 | ||||||||
“My favorite UIC Business class so far is FIN 416, Options and Derivatives. Learning the fundamental dynamics of buying and selling futures, swaps, and options alongside hedging strategies is fascinating, as this opens the door for more skillful investment management strategies.”
| Finance Major, Business Analytics Minor ('23)
Meet Your Cohort Captain Heading link
“This summer I will intern at JP Morgan Chase as a Corporate Analyst in Tampa, Florida. I am excited to gain hands-on experience in an analysts role in banking. Ask me about pairing technology with business!”
| IDS Major ('23)
“I wanted to be a Cohort Captain because I love helping people navigate through their college lives. I love the idea of mentoring and being a positive role model for younger students. I remember being a confused freshman and wishing I had a Cohort Captain to help me go through college, so I’m happy to pay it forward!”
| Marketing, Intl Business and Finance ('22)
Meet Your Cohort Captain Heading link
“My favorite UIC Business class so far has been FIN 302 with Ozgur Arslan-Ayaydin. It was so fun learning about the different types of financial tools there are available to investors and the strategies in which we can use them. Ask me about resume building!”
| Finance, Business Analytics & MIS ('23)