Social isolation and loneliness, cultural shock, and lack of commitment to minority students have been suggested as barriers to educational attainment for many minority college students. Blacks are severely underrepresented in the sciences and in mathematics, and these issues and concerns are not uncommon to black students enrolled in the School of Science at Purdue University. The need for an orientation program and counseling aimed specifically at such students is quite significant. This paper describes a seminar offered to freshmen and first semester transfer students and recommended to all minority students by their academic advisors. It lists the course's primary objectives as easing the students' transition to college life, orienting students to the university, introducing them to academic majors and career possibilities, helping to build self-esteem, providing interaction with continuing science students, and increasing student motivation toward a career in science by providing role models. Class activities are described and certain activities are explained in greater detail. Evaluations of the seminar conducted at the end of fall semesters in 1984 and 1985 are discussed. The evaluation survey and responses are included. (NB)