what do graduate school course numbers mean

by Dr. Emmie Strosin 9 min read

The first number in the entire course number has significance and it tells the complexity or the level of the course. It can also tell that if it is an Undergrad level class or Graduate level class. As the numbers say, the lower the number the basic the course it is.

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.

Full Answer

What do the course numbers mean in college?

Course Numbering System. The number by which a course is designated indicates the level of the course: 100-299: Lower-division courses primarily for freshmen and sophomores.

What do the numbers mean in a school code?

For most schools, the numbers range from one to five. The first number in the code will be as follows for each class: Freshman level: 1 Sophomore level: 2 Junior level: 3 Senior level: 4 Advanced level: 5 Designate the subject area for each class by assigning a number for the second digit in the code.

What are the levels of graduate school courses?

Graduate Courses (500 to 699; 800 to 899): Courses restricted to students registered in the Graduate School, seniors with an average of at least 3.50 (500- and 800-level only; excludes 600-level), and other students who have been granted permission to enroll by the dean of the Graduate School.

What do the numbers on a college transcript mean?

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.

What do the numbers mean on course numbers?

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 are graduate courses numbered?

Some schools have more advanced classes that are around 500 and 600 level, they are also Undergrad level classes but more advanced. 700—900 or 7000—9000 level : This classes with this numbering correspond to Graduate level classes for MS, MBA or PhD. Masters classes are ideally in the range of 700 to 800.

What do the numbers after a course name mean?

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 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 does 1000 level courses mean?

Course Numbering System 1000 level. non–degree applicable. 1100 level. introductory course, open to all qualified students. 2000 level.

What does a 400 level course mean?

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 does course code mean?

COURSE CODE: Course Subject Area – the intended major subject category of the course. Each Course Subject Area is represented by a two-digit code. The categories are intended to include the full spectrum of courses offered in schools.

What does 101 mean in class?

introductory courseThe 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".

Is class number and course number the same?

The word "class" is used to identify the days/times that a specific course meets (i.e. BIOL 1408 8001). These specific class meetings are called class sections. The word "course" is used to identify a common topic or subject area. These courses will share a common course number (i.e. BIOL 1408).

What is the difference between 101 and 102 classes?

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.

How do I know my course level?

Most colleges and universities designate courses as upper or lower level, usually by a course-numbering system described on the transcript key or back of the transcript. If this information is not included, check your registrar's website or a course catalog.

What does Level 1 course mean?

Level 1. Students at this level will be required to have GCSE grades D-F, preferably including English and Maths. Applicants will be required to undertake initial assessments in literacy and numeracy and attend an interview. This is a suitable level for students wishing to later progress to level 2.

How many courses are required for a masters degree?

With approval of the major department, graduate students may take 100–series courses toward satisfaction of master’s degree requirements.

What is a concurrent course?

Concurrent courses (identified by a capital C before the course number) are pairs of courses, usually within a single department or program, for which credit is given at two levels—undergraduate and graduate. Concurrent courses are offered at the same time and place with the same instructor, but work levels and performance standards are evaluated differently for students at each level.

What is a lower division class?

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.

What is 89/189?

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.

What is a 300-399 degree?

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.

Do you need identical course numbers for language in culture?

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. For example, Language in Culture is offered by the Anthropology department as course M140 and the Linguistics department as course M146.

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 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 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 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.

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.

What is 400 level?

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.

Do all students receive the same number of credits?

Normally, all students in a course are expected to meet the same requirements and receive the same number of credits. When it is felt to be appropriate to award a different number of credits to graduate students, the teaching unit may ask the Graduate School for an exception. All exceptions will conform to Section C. above, “Assignment of Credit Hours.”

What is the course number system?

If any course cannot be located readily, refer to the index. Courses are numbered as follows: Undergraduate Courses (1 to 399): General courses accepted in fulfillment of requirements for the bachelor's degrees.

What is the number for thesis research?

In registering for thesis research, a student uses the appropriate number (600, 610) preceded by the abbreviation designating the major field. The numbers 600 (on campus) and 610 (off campus) are available for credit in thesis research in all graduate major programs.

What is a prerequisite for a course?

Prerequisites are courses or other requirements that must be completed prior to the start of a given course. Concurrent Courses are similar to prerequisites except that they may be taken prior to, or in the same semester as, the given course.

What are suffixes in a course?

Suffixes are letters that follow a course number and allow for easier identification of a course's characteristics. Not all attributes and characteristics are captured in available suffixes and suffixes are not the feature used to determine if a course satisfies a requirement.

What is attribute value?

Attributes and attribute values are course designations that are used to define specific characteristics for courses. The search for specific types of courses uses attributes and attributes are the most important notation for a course to satisfy a given requirement.

What is formal course?

Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest. Several different topics may be taught in one year or semester. A specific title may be used in each instance and will be entered on the student's transcript.

How many hours of work is required to gain 1 credit?

In accordance with Senate Policy 42-23, for the typical student, a total of forty-five (45) hours of work planned and arranged by the University faculty is required to gain 1 credit. While the distribution of time varies from course to course, generally one-third of the time is devoted to formal instruction and two-thirds of the time to outside preparation. Course credit by instruction may be achieved by a variety of educational experiences that allow the student to work toward mastery of the course objectives. With the acknowledged goal of educational excellence, more than the minimum established here may be required for mastery of course objectives.

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Undergraduate Course Numbers

  • 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. Lower-division courses may not be applied toward graduate degrees. Upp…
See more on registrar.ucla.edu

Undergraduate Seminars and Tutorials

  • Fiat Lux Freshman Seminars
    Fiat Lux freshman seminars (numbered 19) are taught by faculty in areas of their expertise. They introduce freshmen to topics of intellectual importance, and enable them to participate in critical discussion of these topics with a small group of peers. The seminar series takes its name from t…
  • Sophomore Seminars
    Sophomore seminars (numbered 88) are department-sponsored courses designed to give sophomores the opportunity to participate in small seminars that enhance writing, verbal, and analytical skills.
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Graduate Course Numbers

  • Graduate courses numbered 200–299 are generally open only to graduate students who have completed basic undergraduate courses in the subject. Courses and seminars in the 200 series can fulfill the minimum graduate course requirement for any advanced degree. With department and instructor consent, and subject to requirements in the appropriate Colle...
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Other Course Numbering Conventions

  • 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. They have a general catalog …
  • Concurrent Courses
    Concurrent courses (identified by a capital C before the course number) are pairs of courses, usually within a single department or program, for which credit is given at two levels—undergraduate and graduate. Concurrent courses are offered at the same time and plac…
See more on registrar.ucla.edu

UCLA Extension Xl/Xlc

  • UCLA Extension classes are listed in the Extension catalog available in print and on the Extension website. In general, students may not attend UCLA Extension for degree credit if they are enrolled in UCLA regular session (fall, winter, spring) at the same time. Certain Extension courses (numbered 1–199), prefixed by XL or XLC in Extension class listings, yield credit toward the bac…
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Course Levels 101

  • Most colleges identify introductory classes at the 100-level. 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...
See more on topdegreesonline.org

100- and 200-Level Course Expectations

  • 100-level courses come with no prerequisites regarding knowledge of a disciplines concepts and terminology. Students who enter these classes must be able to compose formal essays and comprehend college-level textbooks. These classes will acquaint students with the basic terms, methods, ideas and language of the subject. 200-level courses are actually 100-level courses th…
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300- and 400-Level Course Expectations

  • 300-level courses will contain advanced content for upper division students. These classes will most likely be core requirements of the students’ majors. 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 …
See more on topdegreesonline.org