Graduate Course Numbers
Full Answer
Course Numbering System. The number assigned to a course gives an indication of the level of difficulty and indicates for whom the course is intended. Courses numbered under 300 (100-299) are undergraduate-level courses. Courses in the 300-699 range may be taken for credit by both undergraduate and graduate students; courses in the 300-499 range are generally considered …
Course Numbers. Courses numbered 8000-9999, taught by members of the graduate faculty, are advanced graduate courses and seminars which provide educational experiences at the highest level in a graduate student’s program of study. Courses numbered 6000-6999 are fundamental knowledge courses; those numbered 7000-7999, except master’s research (7000) and thesis …
100-299: Lower-division courses primarily for freshmen and sophomores. 100-199: Primarily introductory and beginning courses. 200-299: Intermediate-level courses. 300-499: Upper-division courses primarily for juniors and seniors. 300-399: Advanced-intermediate-level courses. 400-499*: Advanced-level courses. 500-599*: Graduate courses. Open to …
700 level courses are assumed to be for master’s and doctoral students (or third-year students in professional schools). 800 And 900 Level Courses 800 and 900 level courses are assumed to be primarily for doctoral work, beyond the master’s level. Courses in Which Graduates and Undergraduates May Be Enrolled Simultaneously Course Requirements
With approval of the major department, graduate students may take 100–series courses toward satisfaction of master’s degree requirements.
Multiple-listed courses (identified by a capital M before the course number) are courses offered jointly by more than one department. They do not need to have identical course numbers, but all other aspects of the course must be the same, including title, units, requisites, format, and level.
Graduate courses numbered 300–399 are highly specialized teacher-training courses that are not applicable toward University minimum requirements for graduate degrees. They are acceptable toward the bachelor’s degree only at the discretion of the individual College or school.
Undergraduate courses are classified as lower division and upper division. Lower-division courses (numbered 1–99) are often surveys of and preliminary introductions to the subject field. They are designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores, though upper-division students may enroll for unit and grade credit.
Honors seminars and tutorials (numbered 89/189 and 89HC/189HC) are primarily designed for students in the College Honors Program. They are adjunct to lecture courses and explore lecture topics in more depth through supplemental readings, papers, or other activities.
Upper-division seminars (numbered 190–194) are small seminars, with between 15 and 20 students, that focus on research practice or issues. Many are designed to be taken along with a tutorial course in the 195–199 series.
Variable Topics. Variable topics courses do not have a specifically assigned course number. The course title usually indicates that it is a variable topics course (e.g., Spanish 130: Topics in Medieval Studies). Variable topics courses cover material within a defined topic area.
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. Upper-division courses may require the student to synthesize topics from a variety of sources. Upper-division courses may also require greater responsibility, or independence on the part of the student. Upper-division courses require instructors with specialized knowledge and preparation. 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. Such courses have one or more of the following three purposes: 1 The in-depth study or application of theories and methods and the understanding of their scope and limitations. 2 The refinement of essential skills associated with the baccalaureate. 3 The development of specific intellectual and professional skills designed to lead to post-baccalaureate employment, graduate study, or professional school.
To introduce essential skills of literacy (e.g., information gathering, reading, and writing), language, (e.g., oral communication and language and culture other than English), numeracy, and sciences to prepare for continuing work in any field of higher education.
400 level courses are assumed to be primarily for undergraduates. If the course material is described as sufficiently advanced, graduate credit may be granted upon approval of the Graduate School.
500 level courses are assumed to be primarily for first-year graduate students; senior majors may also take them or others by special permission.
600 level courses are assumed to be for master’s and doctoral students (or second year students in professional schools), and only rarely for exceptional undergraduates.
700 level courses are assumed to be for master’s and doctoral students (or third-year students in professional schools).
800 and 900 level courses are assumed to be primarily for doctoral work, beyond the master’s level.
For each course that is open both to graduate and to undergraduate students, the course proposal and all pertinent publications should specify whether or not graduate students will be required to perform more advanced work. The course proposal may specify any one of the following credit types (see Course Approval Form: Course Credit Type):
Each course at Boise State University has a course description that consists of a 1) prefix, 2) course number, 3) title, 4) credit code, 5) semester code, 6) additional information, 7) list of requisites as well as the content description. These elements of the course description are described below.BIOL 527 STREAM ECOLOGY (3-3-4) (F) (Odd years).
A graded course is any course in which the awarded grade is one of the traditional grades (A, B, C, D, or F) and a pass-fail course is any course in which the awarded grade is P (pass) or F (fail).
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.
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.