how do i number a college course

Courses are designated by two numbers, separated by a colon. Thefirst number refers to the department or area of the course; the secondnumber refers to the specific course. For example, in the coursedesignated 600:111 the "600" refers to the Department of Art and the"111" refers to the course.

Full Answer

How do you identify a college course number?

Most college courses are identified by three to four numbers. For example, the first digit may indicate the class year, the middle two digits may identify the subject and the last digit may indicate the number of credit hours. Most colleges identify introductory classes at the 100-level.

What is the meaning of course numbers?

Courses are designated by an alpha subject field (up to 8 characters)and 4-digit course number. The alpha subject field refers to thedepartment or area of the course; the number refers to the specificcourse. For example, in the course designated ART 3011, ART refersto the Department of Art and the 3011 refers to the course.

When did colleges start numbering courses in classes?

In the late 1920s, colleges began using a numbering system for their courses. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, using "101" as an introductory course number started at the University of Buffalo in 1929.

How do you write course codes in math?

Each code should have three numbers that relate to the level, subject area and sequence number. For example, a sophomore level Mathematics class named Trigonometry II would likely have the course code "211" according to this formula. One way to simplify the second part of the code is to alphabetize by subject area.

How are college classes numbered?

There are standard formats that many colleges use to signify dates, levels and titles. Most college courses are identified by three to four numbers. For example, the first digit may indicate the class year, the middle two digits may identify the subject and the last digit may indicate the number of credit hours.

How do I calculate my course number?

Usually the college's course calendar won't list course reference numbers, as they change every semester due to enrollment. You can only find your course reference numbers after you have registered in a course.

What is a course code number in college?

Course Number – the three-digit number that distinguishes a course within a Course Subject Area. These numbers carry no meaning by themselves, with the exception of four Course Numbers reserved for courses included in each Course Subject Area: 995—Course Subject Area—Aide.

What does 102 mean in college?

101 is the most basic course in the first year, 102 would be in the first year but for someone who's already taken the subject in high school, etc.

What is a course numbering?

The first number refers to the department or area of the course; the second number refers to the specific course. For example, in the course designated 600:111 the "600" refers to the Department of Art and the "111" refers to the course. Courses numbered 0-99 are primarily designed for freshman and sophomore students.

What does a course code look like?

Typically, a course code includes a letter or number for each specific department; a letter or number for each specific subject (i.e., American history in the history/social studies department OR biology in the science department.)

Why are college courses numbered?

Course Numbers These numbers are the main way colleges organize their course catalog. No two courses at a college will share the exact same course number. The most useful thing for students to understand about these numbers is how to distinguish between upper-level credit and lower-level credit.

What does the first digit of the course number represent?

the level ofCourse Numbers. The four-digit numbering system is interpreted as follows: the first digit indicates the level of the course; the second digit is the number of credits available; the third and fourth digits are chosen by the department offering the course.

What does 101 mean in college?

History. The slang sense of the number "101" originates from its frequent use in US college course numbering systems to indicate the first or introductory course in some topic of study, such as "Calculus 101" or "French 101".

What does a 600 level course mean?

500-600 level course designation Master-level graduate courses numbered 500-600 require a bachelor's degree and admission to a graduate program. 500 level course are more rigorous than undergraduate courses.

What are 400 level courses?

300-Level and 400-Level Courses Such courses are at an advanced-undergraduate level of difficulty, and are generally taken by majors, minors, and other students with a well-defined interest and demonstrated ability in a particular subject area.

What is the course level?

Course level means the degree of difficulty or complexity of the content of a course in a specific subject area, such as an honors level course. Sample 1.

What do college course numbers mean?

College course numbers may mean different things depending on the individual institution. There are standard formats that many colleges use to signify dates, levels and titles. Most college courses are identified by three to four numbers. For example, the first digit may indicate the class year, the middle two digits may identify ...

What do you need to know to take 100 level writing class?

Students must have finished a 100-level writing or English class, so they can recognize concepts, read detailed texts, use quantitative skills and articulate themselves with peers. These classes will require students to progress through academic explorations towards conclusions and experiments.

What is the difference between 100 and 200 level courses?

These classes will acquaint students with the basic terms, methods, ideas and language of the subject. 200-level courses are actually 100-level courses that focus on particular areas within a discipline. Students must have finished a 100-level writing or English class, so they can recognize concepts, read detailed texts, use quantitative skills and articulate themselves with peers. These classes will require students to progress through academic explorations towards conclusions and experiments. Students who take 200-level classes must be able to keep up at a reasonable pace without encountering comprehension difficulties.

What are the 100 level classes?

These basic or survey classes will have titles like general biology, world history or writing fundamentals. These 100-level courses are usually taken by freshman, although some will be sophomores meeting general education requirements. 200-level classes will be more strenuous and focused on specific topics like Asian history, Western literature and computer programming. Some of these classes may require students to have taken the prerequisite 100-level class. 300- and 400-level classes involve in-depth coursework and require greater knowledge of a certain field. These classes are usually taken during the final two years of college. Some 400-level classes include first-year graduate students who are preparing to take 500- and 600-level classes offered through graduate schools.

What are the requirements for 300 level classes?

Students should have acquired a sufficient knowledge in the major to pursue independent study and research with methodological tools and models. These students must be able to obtain relevant information the proper use of resources and libraries. They must be able to assimilate valid information, combine findings into cohesive statements and ultimately produce term-papers. 400-level courses will likely include tutorials, seminars, guest lectures and honors courses reserved only for upper-division students finishing their major. These students must have completed enough 300-level classes to work independently under the supervision of faculty. Many of these 400-level classes include capstone projects that require students to synthesize all relative information into a final presentation.

What is the 900-999 degree?

Not available for credit toward other degrees. 900-999: Independent graduate study involving research, thesis, or dissertation. Not open to undergraduates.

What is upper division?

Upper-division courses are specialized, in-depth, and advanced, and emphasize problem-solving, analytical thinking skills, and theoretical applications. These courses often build on the foundation provided by the skills and knowledge of lower-division education.

Is baccalaureate in upper division?

Thus, many intermediate and all advanced baccalaureate courses in a field of study are properly located in the upper-division. In addition, disciplines that depend heavily on prerequisites or the body of knowledge of lower-division education may properly be comprised primarily of upper-division courses.

Why do colleges have a course number?

Most college courses in America have, in addition to a title, a course number, which conveys some information about the course and helps in organizing course catalogs and the like.

How many digits are in a course number?

Course numbers usually have 3 digits. Introductory courses in any department are likely numbered 101. Courses with less than three significant digits (005, 099, etc.) are likely to be remedial, tutoring, or non-credit classes.

What are the higher levels of a course?

Higher level courses often have prerequsite courses from lower levels. The higher levels, such as 700, 800, and 900, are often used to designate graduate -level courses. Courses representing more advanced treatments of the same topic will often have the same last digits.

What do the remaining two digits in a class number mean?

The remaining two digits indicate the relative level of the class: lower division (freshman/sophomore), upper division (junior/senior), or graduate. For example: The first class taken as part of a bachelor's degree in physics is PHY 301 (Mechanics), which is also open to other majors.

What does 101 mean in college?

However, "Something 101" has been used for a time in colloquial English to mean "the basics of", "an introduction to" or "a crash course in" something. Funnily enough, this has resulted in me taking some courses which claimed to be the "101" ...

What is a 100-199 course?

A common system works roughly as Najib Idrissi describes: courses numbered 100-199 are first-year courses, which either have no prerequisites or only high school-level prerequisites. Courses numbered 200-299 are second-year courses, which have 100-level prerequisites, and so on.

What is the 100 system?

The "100-system" is pretty common. Usually the first number is the year in which students are expected to take it, and the second number is the semester. But this system often creates problems: Sometimes, Math 101 is taken in year 1 by some majors but year 2 by others.

Can you take 101 classes at any time?

Sometimes a class can be taken at any time as an elective, so has no "default" time it is supposed to be taken. Sometimes there will be multiple versions of a class, but later on the 101 course will be discontinued, while the other remains.

What does the first digit of a course number mean?

The one thing to remember about course numbers is that the first digit indicates what level of study your course is . That is likely the only uniform (and truly helpful) piece of information these numbers will provide for you. 3. Course Name. The third element of a course code is obvious: the name of the course.

What is the prefix for a college course?

1. Course Prefix. The first part of a college course code is simple: a series of letters indicating the course's general subject. This is the course prefix, and it’s fairly intuitive. Tip: if you get stuck wondering what a particular set of letters means, compare several courses sharing the same prefix. Or Google it.

What is the purpose of the second and third digits in a course number?

While there isn’t a universal rule for what each number means in relation to each other, the main idea is just to distinguish different courses that are from the same department at the same level.

How many digits are in a college catalog?

These are often three digits long, but many colleges use four digits (or even five). These numbers are the main way colleges organize their course catalog. No two courses at a college will share the exact same course number.

What is a course code?

Colleges use course codes to describe and organize their courses in a way that can be easily understood by both colleges and students (if said students have translation guides, that is). They consist of four important blocks of information. 1. Course Prefix.

What is the third element of a course code?

The third element of a course code is obvious: the name of the course. A course's name tells you what that course is about, and is actually the most useful way to compare courses.

What is course description?

The last thing you'll read about a course is its description. A course description is a general explanation of its topics and teaching methodology. This will give you added information about the course and the way it’s taught.