Course Descriptions
Course descriptions briefly describe the content or subject matter to be covered and provide additional information on units of credit, the level of instruction (see course numbering code), prerequisites and the type of course (lecture, discussion, seminar, laboratory, activity or individually supervised work).
A laboratory course, which accompanies another course, shall be identified by the letter L, and a variable topics course shall include the letter T with its number.
A controlled entry course is one that has enrollment requirements in addition to any pre- or corequisites. Additional requirements may include special academic advising, a qualifying exam, a placement test, language proficiency, an audition, a portfolio review, a teaching credential or similar special qualifications.
Academic units shall identify courses having controlled entry in the course description. Academic units shall develop guidelines for enforcing controlled entry requirements. Instructors may initiate withdrawal (a drop) for any student not qualified to undertake the academic work of the course.
Course Numbering and Requisites
The first number in each course designation is intended to indicate the level of complexity of the course. In addition, the first number also is a rough index of the student’s year of study at the university. The following are guidelines for course numbering.
001-099
Courses that carry no credit toward a degree or credential. Generally, these courses are developmental or support-oriented in content.
100-199
Lower-division courses designed primarily for first-year level, but also open to other students. These courses are generally introductory in nature and are usually designed without prerequisites.
200-299
Lower-division courses designed primarily for sophomore level, but also open to other students. Although there is no clear distinction between lower-division courses listed at the 100- or 200-level, there is an inherent assumption that students in these courses have acquired skills appropriate to the second year of university-level work.
300-399
Upper-division courses designed primarily for juniors, but also open to other students. Third year or junior-level coursework is likely to emphasize specialization in the disciplines. If a course has prerequisites, they shall be stated as an indication of the necessary competencies required for study. These prerequisites cannot consist of junior status or upper-division standing only. These courses do not grant graduate credit.
400-499
Upper-division courses designed primarily for seniors, but also open to other students. These courses must have stated prerequisites. These prerequisites cannot consist of senior status or upper-division standing only. Coursework is intended to provide depth of understanding or additional focus appropriate to the disciplines. Courses at the 400 level are sufficiently sophisticated for inclusion on graduate study plans if the requirements of University Police Statement 411.100, section V are met.
500-599
Courses designed for graduate students who are enrolled in advanced degree programs. The courses of study are advanced and specialized in nature and require substantial undergraduate preparation. Undergraduate students may enroll if they have reached senior status, have the prerequisites required for entry into the course, and have gained consent of the instructor. Courses at the 500 level may be used on doctoral study plans if the approved program provides for such use.
600-699
Courses designed for graduate students beyond the master’s level who are enrolled in doctoral programs. The courses of study take up advanced topics using sophisticated approaches that presume prior study at the graduate level within the same, or a closely related, discipline. Master’s program students may enroll only with consent of both the instructor and the graduate adviser. Closed to undergraduates.
700-701
Course numbers for graduate and post-baccalaureate students (including those seeking a credential) to maintain continuous enrollment during a semester when they are not enrolled in regular courses. These numbers do not represent courses and do not therefore grant unit credit.
900-999
Courses specifically designed for professional groups seeking vocational improvement or career advancement. Credit for these courses does not apply to undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees or credentials at the university.
Universal Course Numbers
For uniformity, certain types of courses have been listed by most academic units and colleges with the same numbers:
- 395, 495 and 595 are used respectively for junior, senior and graduate internships (UPS 411.601).
- 296 and 496 are used respectively for lower-division and upper-division student-to-student tutorials (UPS 410.100).
- 297, 497 and 597 are used respectively for lower-division, upper-division and graduate projects.
- 498 and 598 are used respectively for senior and graduate theses.
- 299, 499, 599 and 699 are used respectively for lower-division, upper-division, master’s and post-master’s independent study (UPS 400.010).
Explanation of Course Notations
Certain notations are uniformly used in the course descriptions in this catalog.
- The figure in parentheses following the course title indicates the number of semester units for the course. Courses offered for varying units are indicated as (1-3) or (3-6).
- A course listing such as African American Studies 101 (AFAM 101, ASAM 101 and CHIC 101 are the same course) indicates a cross-listed course. A student may enroll in the course in any of the listed disciplines.
Internships
Internships formally integrate the students’ academic study with practical experience in cooperating organizations. Internships are high-impact practices that enhance academic knowledge, personal development and professional preparation. The Center for Internships and Community Engagement, or designated unit, is responsible for overseeing internship policies and procedures. Specific policies are discussed in University Policy Statement, Policy on Academic Interships, including that internships are supervised, take place outside the traditional classroom, provide integration of academic and experiential learning, are planned in advance, include evaluation by the students and their on-site supervisors, and more. Internships may be taken for a letter grade or credit/no credit. No more than six units of internship credit may apply toward a degree.
Student-to-Student Tutorials
Student-to-student tutorials provide a supervised way for students to learn through teaching other students. This is a high-impact practice that provides an intensive learning experience for students not only to increase their mastery of particular subject matters, but also to develop their communication and interpersonal skills. Detailed expectations for this course are discussed in the University Policy Statement, Student-to-Student Tutorials, including hours of work expected (3 per week for each unit of credit), a written plan for the tutor, study plans for the tutees, instructor assessment and feedback for the tutor, the tutor’s final evaluative report of the tutorial experience and more. Student-to-student tutorials may be taken for a letter grade or credit/no credit. No more than three units of any combination of tutorial courses (296 or 496) may count toward a degree.
Projects and Theses
Projects and theses are often offered at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. They are individualized learning experiences that challenge students to work in an independent, intensive and creative manner. These high-impact practices are culminating experiences that require students to integrate and apply what they have learned in their regular coursework. An academic unit electing to offer projects and/or theses shall prepare and document its policy regarding the format and expectations of the course, its evaluation, and the procedure for offering approval. For more information on graduate projects and theses, see the Culminating Experience section of this catalog. For more on undegraduate projects and theses, see University Policy Statement, Undergradute Project and Thesis.
Independent Studies
Academic units may provide independent studies for students to pursue topics or problems of special interest beyond the scope of the regular course offerings. Independent studies shall normally be of a research or creative nature and shall culminate in a paper, project, comprehensive exam, performance and/or exhibit. Each academic unit shall prepare and document its policy regarding the format and evaluation of its independent study course(s). Detailed expectations are discussed in the University Policy Statement, Independent Study, including an independent study proposal, the approval process, the basis for the final evaluation and more. No more than nine units of independent study may apply toward an undergraduate degree, and no more than six units toward a graduate degree.
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