Choose a Catalog:  

Updated 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog | 20255

Understanding University Courses

Common Course Outlines

Common course outlines are available in the course catalog under each course description.  A common course outline is intended to provide additional course information that may be used to evaluate a course for transfer.

Course Levels by Number

Courses numbered 0800 through 0899 are considered college preparation courses. These will appear on transcripts and be included in the cumulative grade point average (GPA) for the purpose of some academic progress reports, but will not be included in the total credits or the cumulative GPA required for graduation.

Courses numbered 0900 through 0999 are considered developmental courses. A maximum of four (4) semester credits will be included in the total semester credits for graduation. Courses taken in excess of the first four (4) semester credits will be included in the cumulative GPA for academic progress and suspension but will not be included in the total semester credits or GPA required for graduation.

Courses numbered 1000 to 1999 are freshmen-level courses and are considered "lower division" courses.

Courses numbered 2000 to 2999 are sophomore-level courses and are considered "lower division" courses.

Courses numbered 3000 to 3999 are junior-level courses and are considered "upper division" courses. Some of these courses also carry numbers in the 5000 series, which indicates they are open to graduate students.

Courses numbered 4000 to 4999 are senior-level courses and are considered "upper division" courses. Some of these courses also carry numbers in the 5000 series, which indicates they are open to graduate students.

Courses numbered 5000 to 5999 are double-numbered courses (with courses in the 3000-4999 series) and are open to graduate students (see Graduate Catalog).

Courses numbered 6000 to 6999 are exclusively for graduate students (see Graduate Catalog).

Freshmen registering for courses numbered above 2999 should consult with their advisor or the instructor of the course.

All-University Courses

The course numbers listed below, not always included in the semester class schedule, may be registered for by consent of the advisor, instructor, or department chair, or may be assigned by the department when warranted. Individual registration requires previous arrangement by the student and the completion of any required form or planning outline as well as any prerequisites.

1910, 2910, 3910, 4910 DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY
Arranged individual study.
     
1920, 2920, 3920, 4920 DIRECTED GROUP STUDY
Arranged group study.
     
1930, 2930, 3930, 4930 EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
A course proposed for inclusion in the University curriculum. May not be offered more than two times as an experimental course.
 
1940, 2940, 3940, 4940 IN-SERVICE COURSE
A course for practitioners seeking additional training or expertise in their current vocation or profession. The in-service format typically includes an educational experience in which a University faculty member and a group of students concentrate on working toward the resolution of a specific problem.
     
1950, 2950, 3950, 4950 WORKSHOP, INSTITUTE, TOUR
An intense, credit-granting academic experience of short duration (usually from two days to two weeks) that is not listed in the current University curriculum. Provides for the practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting, and may include the development of methods and skills and the discussion of ideas and principles.
     
1960, 2960, 3960, 4960 SPECIAL PURPOSE INSTRUCTION
A course intended for specific groups or organizations outside the University community.
     
1970, 2970, 3970, 4970 INTERNSHIP
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.

1980, 2980, 3980, 4980 RESEARCH
Research carried out by the student that is based on appropriate methodology and scholarship.
     
1990, 2990, 3990, 4990 THESIS
A thesis written by the student that reports extensive original research carried out by the student and demonstrates appropriate methodology and scholarship.