LEWISTON – University of Southern Maine winter session courses will be offered this year for the first time at the Lewiston-Auburn campus. The winter session is a three-week term between the fall and spring semesters, beginning Dec, 27 and ending Jan. 14. No classes will be held Dec. 31, and snow dates are Jan. 15 and 16.

Five of the six courses listed below are one-credit computer courses designed for students who wish to improve their knowledge and proficiency in a particular area.

• LAC 112 Microsoft Excel: meets from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

• LAC 114 PowerPoint: meets from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

• LAC 111 Microsoft Word: meets from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.

• LAC 115 Microsoft Access: meets from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.

• LAC 113 Introduction to DreamWeaver: meets from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.

The remaining class will be a three-credit course designed to equip first-time or returning students with the necessary skills and strategies for achieving success in college.

• LAC 100 Introduction to Collegiate Studies: meets from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Descriptions for the courses and the spring semester schedule are available online at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/schedules.

Registration for the winter session at USM/L-A is open and will continue through the start of classes. Those who are not students at USM/L-A are welcome to register. They should call the business office at 753-6530 for registration assistance.