AP.2 Course Information

Print-Friendly Page

Return to: Academic Policies 

AP.2.1 General Information

Each course indicates:

• the number of credits earned;
• the repeat status;
  NR - Not Repeatable, RT - Repeatable in Term, RD - Repeatable in Degree
• prerequisites;
• corequisites;
• the hours of lecture or seminar per week;
• the hours of laboratory or studio per week (if applicable); and
• semester offered. 

Individual instructors set hours for independent study, readings, topics, or similar courses. If a course is listed as having an equivalent course, students may not receive credit for both courses. 

AP.2.2 Contact Hours

University course work is measured in terms of quantity and quality. A credit normally represents one hour per week of lecture or recitation, or not fewer than two hours per week of laboratory work, throughout a semester. The number of credits is a measure of quantity. The grade is a measure of quality.

AP.2.3 Undergraduate Course Numbering

Courses numbered 499 and below are undergraduate courses. Course numbers in the 100 series are customarily taken by freshmen, the 200 series by sophomores, the 300 series by juniors, and the 400 series by seniors.

AP.2.4 Graduate Course Numbering

Graduate courses are divided into the following categories:

• 500–699: Open only to graduate students admitted to master’s or doctoral programs; other bachelor’s degree holders; and approved, advanced undergraduate students.  Advanced undergraduate students who have secured the permission of the department offering the course may select from these courses to accumulate the hours necessary to complete an undergraduate degree. With the written permission of the dean of their college, they may take these courses for reserve graduate credit.
• 700–799: Open only to students admitted to graduate degree or certificate programs.
• 800–999: Primarily doctoral courses open only to students admitted to graduate degree programs.

Degree programs may extend permission to enroll bachelor’s degree holders.

Courses with the following numbers are reserved for the uses designated:

• 600–609: Limited applicability, graduate-credit courses, normally intended for in-service professional development and not directly leading to a graduate degree. A limited number of credits from these courses may be applied to a graduate degree.
• 798: Master’s research
• 799: Master’s thesis
• 790, 890: Supervised practicum
• 794, 894: Internship
• 796, 896: Directed reading and research courses for master’s and doctoral students
• 800: Studies for the doctor of philosophy in education program
• 998: Doctoral dissertation proposal
• 999: Doctoral dissertation research

AP.2.5 University Courses

University (UNIV) courses are special undergraduate academic seminars that appeal to a wide range of majors. These courses fall into three general categories: transitional, interdisciplinary honors, and special topics. To encourage interaction among students and faculty, many of these courses have smaller class sizes. Some UNIV courses satisfy general education requirements; see the University General Education  section of this catalog.

University Transitions Courses

This series of courses focuses on transition through the various stages of college. UNIV 100 - Freshman Transition , helps freshmen adjust academically and socially, hone decision-making skills, and learn about the resources and explore opportunities for involvement on campus. UNIV 101 - Freshman Academic Transition , focuses on academic transition and development issues for second semester freshmen. A special emphasis is placed on resources and techniques to assist students with assessing and improving their academic performance.  UNIV 200 - Sophomore Transition  focuses on choosing a major or career. UNIV 300 - University: Junior Transition  has three tracks. Transfer Transitions is for transfer students making the transition to a new university. Internship and Career Readiness focuses on career readiness for internships and research assistantships. Peer Leadership is designed for specific groups of student leaders.

University Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars

These seminars are offered to students who have demonstrated strong academic performance. They are developed to give high-ability freshmen and advanced-standing students the opportunity to study with a senior professor in a small classroom setting. The Freshman Seminars (UNIV 190 - Freshman Seminar ) are open to eligible first-year students and are taught exclusively by the Robinson professors. Qualified students with 30 or more credits are invited to participate in the UNIV 390 seminars, which are taught by Robinson professors and other distinguished faculty scholars.

University Special Topics Courses

Upper-level University courses are open to all students unless specific prerequisites are indicated. They are usually repeated offerings. The one regularly offered University course, worth 3 credits, is UNIV 301 - Great Ideas in Science .