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Interpreting the Course Catalog

Author: Sophia

Tutorial Audio

what's covered
In this lesson, you will learn about the components of a course catalog so you will be able to interpret them and choose the right courses. Specifically, this lesson will cover:

Table of Contents

1. Course Names

When reviewing a course catalog to determine what courses to sign up for, the first thing you are likely to notice is the course names. The names of courses are often an apparent indicator of the subject matter of the course, and sometimes, which students the course is intended for.

EXAMPLE

A course called "MATH 110: Introduction to Statistics" is straightforward—it's clear from the title that this is an introductory course intended for someone with no prior experience with statistics.

Other course titles you will find in the catalog may not be as clear as this, and that is why you need to look beyond the title to decide if a course is right for you.

An example of a course catalog with each component described. ENGL is the department, 1001 is the course number, and Introduction to Literature is the title. Fall 2018 - TTh 10-11:15 - Morrison Hall is when and where the course is located. The course description is: This course introduces students to the study of literature at the college level. Students explore different literary genres, including short fiction, poetry, and drama, from various time periods and cultures. Students are asked to read selected poems, stories, novels, and plays carefully, to think about them and the issues they raise, and to bring their opinions and observations to class where they will ask questions, make comments, discuss, think, and write.


2. Course Levels and Numbering

In many schools, you will find course titles sorted and listed with a three or four-letter abbreviation of the academic department that is offering the course. This is typically followed by a three or four-digit number.

The numbers are a way of indicating a course's level of difficulty or the level of experience in the subject a student taking the course should have. Course numbers beginning with a "1" are typically introductory or "lower division" courses; courses beginning with a "3" are more advanced and will likely draw more experienced students; courses beginning with a "5" or higher are intended mainly for graduate students.

EXAMPLE

Consider the course "ECON 1001: Introduction to Economics." This would indicate an introductory or lower-division economics course.

You'll want to understand and consider course numbers when you choose courses and register, not only to decide whether this is a course you want to take but also whether this is a course you are ready to take.


3. Prerequisites

Course numbers do not merely describe a course's level of difficulty; they also indicate the suggested, or sometimes required, sequence that classes should be taken in. You start with the lower numbers and work your way up to the higher numbers.

This is not always the case; for instance, an upper-class student might take an introductory course because they are finishing up degree requirements or simply because they are interested in exploring a subject outside of their major that they have no experience with.

Conversely, a lower-class student can take an advanced course, but the difference is that an advanced course may have prerequisites.

If an advanced course has a prerequisite or prerequisites, this means there is a course or courses you have to take before you can enroll in the course.

EXAMPLE

In order to register for a class titled "FILM 5010: Advanced Film Seminar," you may need to have taken the prerequisite, "FILM 2000: Introduction to Filmmaking."

Prerequisites are designed to ensure that students are properly prepared for the challenge of upper-division courses.

think about it
Prerequisites can seem like academic bureaucracy enjoying rules and regulations for their own sake, but they really are there to ensure that students in a course have the best chance to succeed. You don't want to show up to the first day of class and realize there are foundations of knowledge you don't have that the course assumes students are already bringing with them.

Advanced courses build on the foundations established in introductory courses. In fact, as the term "course" suggests, there's a particular way to go that has been laid out for you by those with the wisdom of experience. Even if you are intent on making your own path with your education, it's best to see and recognize the value of the paths already set out before you.

term to know
Prerequisite
Something you have to do before you can do something else. In the context of higher education, in most cases, you should not take a course without having completed the prerequisite courses for that course.


4. Course Descriptions

You can find course descriptions in a course catalog, on the website of a particular academic department, or in other places where course information is provided.

A course description includes a number of important details about a given course, including when it is offered, how many credits it is worth, whether there are any prerequisites, and a brief description of the content the course will cover.

As it collects all the relevant basic information you will need to make a decision about whether you want to take a course, a course description is one of the most important resources in selecting a course.

summary
Course catalogs include the course names, course levels and numbering, any prerequisites and the course descriptions. Knowing how to interpret the course catalog will help you decide which courses are right for you.

Terms to Know
Prerequisite

Something you have to do before you can do something else. In the context of higher education, in most cases, you should not take a course without having completed the prerequisite courses for that course.