Course Numbering
Effective: September 1, 2011
Last Updated: Approved by EPC on December 15, 2010; approved by Campus Assembly on April 12, 2011
Policy Owner: Academic Administration
1. Semester courses will have four digit numbers. The first number designates the course level. The numbering system is as follows:
0xxx Courses that are remedial and do not carry credit toward any University degree; however, they may be assessed tuition in the same way as courses that carry credit.
1xxx Course content designed primarily for undergraduate students in their first year of study.
2xxx Course content designed for undergraduate students in their second year of study.
3xxx Course content designed for undergraduate students in their third year of study.
4xxx Course content designed for undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of study; graduate students may enroll in such courses if approved for graduate credit.
5xxx Course content designed for graduate students; advanced undergraduate students may enroll in such courses. 5xxx courses should not be required courses in undergraduate programs.
6xxx Courses for post-baccalaureate students in professional degree programs.
7xxx Courses for post-baccalaureate students in professional degree programs.
8xxx Courses for graduate students.
9xxx Courses for graduate students.
Note: 1xxx courses. 1xxx courses are to be at the introductory collegiate level. They should have few, if any, prerequisites. Notable exceptions are where there is a sequence of courses at the introductory level (e.g., one-year sequence of science).
Note: 3xxx and 4xxx courses: 3xxx and 4xxx courses are considered to be upper division, are to be of a more advanced level, and should require a higher level of sophistication. They may require previous work at the college level (lower division courses or a credit total as a prerequisite)
Note: Use of 4xxx Courses in Graduate Programs: 4xxx courses can be counted for a graduate degree but a graduate program may restrict the use of 4xxx courses in the program (e.g., by stipulating that no more than y credits of 4xxx courses may be counted or by stipulating that only certain 4xxx courses may be counted). Such restrictions may be applied both for 4xxx courses in the major field and for 4xxx courses outside the major field. These are matters left to the discretion of each graduate program.
Note: 6xxx and 7xxx Courses: 6xxx and 7xxx courses are to be used primarily for post-baccalaureate professional programs.
2. All thesis credit courses shall use the following numbering conventions.
8555 Thesis/Project Credits: Master of Fine Arts
8666 Doctoral Pre-thesis Credits
8777 Thesis Credits: Masters
8888 Thesis Credits: Doctoral
3. Graduate active status courses
GRAD 0999 Active status; 0 credit; student pays basic email charge each semester of enrollment.
8333 FTE: Masters; student is considered a full-time student for assistantship considerations.
8444 FTE: Doctoral; student is considered a full-time student for assistantship considerations.
4. Numbering conventions for other kinds of courses are provided below. Course component should be consistent with the number of the course (component is listed in parenthesis below). Generally, these courses may be repeated for credit.
xx91 Independent Study (IND)
xx92 Directed Reading (DRD)
xx93 Directed Study (DST)
xx94 Research (DRS):
For xx91, xx92, xx93 and xx94 registrations, the student and faculty member will develop a contract to include number of credits, nature of work to be accomplished, time expectations and the number of periodic meetings between the student and faculty member.
xx95 Special Topics: Umbrella course number for specific topics or issues which are timely in nature. An abbreviated course proposal must be submitted for each new title under the Special Topics umbrella course. A department wishing to offer a specific Special Topics title more than twice must submit a course proposal through the regular approval process to convert this title to a regular course.
xx96 Field Study;, Industrial Assignment (FWK): The student will work as an intern in a professional setting. Clear guidelines will be available as to the student’s responsibilities. Grading procedures will be identified: In general, 1 credit requires 40 hours of work in a supervised setting over the course of the term. Full-time (40 hours per week) field study courses should equate to 14 credits (43 hours/cr).
xx97 Internship (FWK or PRC): The student will work as an intern in a professional setting. Clear guidelines will be available as to the student’s responsibilities. Grading procedures will be identified: In general, 1 credit requires 40 hours of work in a supervised setting over the course of the term. Full-time (40 hours per week) field study courses should equate to 14 credits (43 hours/cr).
xx98 Reserved for future use.
xx99. Reserved for future use.
Dual-listed courses
A dual-listed course is when a single course is offered at both the 4xxx and 5xxx level. Courses that legitimately meet the needs of undergraduate programs, but are often also used as required or elective graduate courses may be dual-listed 4xxx/5xxx. Students registered at both levels meet at the same time and place, with the same instructor. Separate syllabi are prepared for each level and will evidence respective evaluation criteria and outcomes for the level of the course.
Cross listed courses
A cross listed course consists of a single course offered for registration under two different course designators. A cross listed course must be at the same level (e.g. 1000-level, 3000-level, etc), have the same content, title, description, outcomes, same or equivalent prerequisites, and be offered for the same number of credits. Course proposals and syllabi for the cross-listed courses must be discussed and approved by both departments, collegiate curriculum committee(s), and dean(s) prior to review by VCAA. A compelling case based on course content and outcomes must be made on the Course Proposal for cross listing a course. The decision by a department to discontinue a cross-listed course is unilateral and must be communicated in writing and routed through the usual curriculum process.