Classification of Courses

Campus Code

Campus codes are used in the General Catalog only for course prefixes used by more than one campus. Campus codes are used for all courses offered at the Polytechnic campus (E), Tempe campus (M), and West campus (W) in the Schedule of Classes and the Summer Sessions Bulletin . (Tempe campus was formerly known as ASU Main.)

Semester Offered

In the General Catalog and Graduate Catalog, the semester offered shows when the academic unit plans to offer the course. Refer to the Schedule of Classes and the Summer Sessions Bulletin in print or on the Web for the actual course offerings.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Some requirements, known as prerequisites, must be met before registering for a course. Other requirements, called corequisites, must be met while taking a course. A student registering for a course should be able to show that prerequisites have been met and that corequisites will be met as stated in the catalog or Schedule of Classes or must otherwise satisfy the instructor that equivalent preparation has been completed.

General Studies Code

General Studies, for an explanation of the General Studies requirement, which applies to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Course Numbering System

Lower-Division Courses

Lower-division courses, numbered from 100 to 299, are designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores. Certain classes are closed to freshmen who lack the designated prerequisites or whose majors are outside the unit offering the course. This information is available in the General Catalog, in the Schedule of Classes, or from the student’s academic advisor.

Upper-Division Courses

Upper-division courses, numbered from 300 to 499, are designed primarily for juniors and seniors. Prerequisites and other restrictions should be noted before registration. Courses at the 400 level apply to graduate degree requirements for some graduate programs when approved by the Division of Graduate Studies.

Graduate-Level Courses

Graduate-level courses, numbered from 500 to 799, are designed primarily for graduate students. However, an upper-division undergraduate student may enroll in these courses with the approval of the student’s advisor, the course instructor, the department chair, and the dean of the college in which the course is offered. If the course does not meet an undergraduate graduation requirement, it may be eligible for use in a future graduate program on the same basis as work taken by a nondegree graduate student. See Reserving of Course Credit by Undergraduates.

Omnibus Courses

Omnibus numbers are used for courses offered on an experimental or tutorial basis or for courses in which the content is new or periodically changes. Academic units use their prefixes with omnibus course numbers. The general nature of the work required for a particular omnibus course is consistent from unit to unit, but subject matter varies. Omnibus courses are often offered for a variable number of semester hours. See the appropriate academic unit in the General Catalog or major in the Graduate Catalog for omnibus courses.

Within the catalogs and Schedule s of Classes, abbreviations are frequently used with a colon to introduce specific omnibus course topics (e.g., IBS 494 ST: Regional Business Environment of Southeast Asia). See the Omnibus Course Abbreviations.

First-Year Seminar

The First-Year Seminar series is specifically designed to meet the needs of the first-year student. Faculty members volunteer to direct the seminars and choose course topics according to their own interests and areas of specialization. Class size is restricted so that, early in their college careers, students may interact directly with some of the best faculty the university has to offer.

Honors Courses

The courses listed as 298 and 492 Honors Directed Study, 493 Honors Thesis, 497 Honors Colloquium, and all courses with the HON prefix are reserved for students in the Barrett Honors College. These courses range from one to six semester hours. Consulting with an honors advisor before enrolling is recommended.

OMNIBUS GRADUATE COURSES

500, 600, 700 Research Methods. (1 – 12)

Course on research methods in a specific discipline.

580, 680, 780 Practicum. (1 – 12)

Structured practical experience in a professional program, supervised by a practitioner and/or faculty member with whom the student works closely.

583, 683, 783 Field Work. (1 – 12)

Structured, supervised field experience in a field science or other discipline requiring experience in field techniques.

584, 684, 784 Internship. (1 – 12)

Structured practical experience following a contract or plan, supervised by faculty and practitioners.

590, 690, 790 Reading and Conference. (1 – 12)

Independent study in which a student meets regularly with a faculty member to discuss assignments. Course may include such assignments as intensive reading in a specialized area, writing a synthesis of literature on a specified topic, or writing a literature review of a topic.

591, 691, 791 Seminar. (1 – 12)

A small class emphasizing discussion, presentations by students, and written research papers.

592, 692, 792 Research. (1 – 12)

Independent study in which a student, under supervision of a faculty member, conducts research that is expected to lead to a specific project such as a thesis or dissertation, report, or publication. Assignments might include data collection, experimental work, data analysis, or preparation of a manuscript.

593, 693, 793 Applied Project. (1 – 12)

Preparation of a supervised applied project that is a graduation requirement in some professional majors.

594 Conference and Workshop. (1 – 12)

Topical instruction, usually in compressed format, leading to academic credit. Often offered off campus to groups of professionals.

595, 695, 795 Continuing Registration. (1)

Used in situations where registration is necessary but where credit is not needed. Replaces arbitrary enrollment in reading and conference, research, thesis, dissertation, etc. Used by students when taking comprehensive examinations, defending theses or dissertations, or fulfilling the continuous enrollment requirement in doctoral programs. Credit is not awarded, and no grade is assigned.

598 Special Topics. (1 – 4)

Topical courses not offered in regular course rotation — e.g., new courses not in the catalog, courses by visiting faculty, courses on
timely topics, highly specialized courses responding to unique student demand.

599 Thesis. (1 – 12)

Supervised research focused on preparation of thesis, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

792 Research. (1 – 15)

Independent study in which a student, under the supervision of a faculty member, conducts research that is expected to lead to a specific project such as a dissertation, report, or publication. Assignments might include data collection, experimental work, data analysis, or preparation of a manuscript.

799 Dissertation. (1 – 15)

Supervised research focused on preparation of dissertation, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

The preceding courses are described in announcements of the Division of Graduate Studies and are also available in the respective departments. Under special circumstances, arrangements may be made at the dean’s request, through the approval of the executive vice president and provost of the university, to increase the standard semester hours of credit.

Visiting Student Program

The numbers 597, 697, and 797 in the LAW prefix have been reserved for the Visiting Student Program in the College of Law.

SPECIALIZED PREFIXES

Cohort Management

Various prefixes that start with an “X” are used for registration purposes. These courses are used by Campus Match (see Campus Match) in the University College; Learning Communities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; EnGAGE in the Ira. A. Fulton School of Engineering; and other cohort management groups.

Elementary Education Program

Some elementary education methodology courses use the prefix EDB for purposes of registration. These courses are reserved for students admitted to professional programs. EDB courses are converted to permanent ASU education courses (with other prefixes) following the drop-add period, as determined by the registrar’s calendar.

International Programs

Courses with the prefix IPO numbered 495 and 595 are reserved for International Programs study abroad and exchange programs. For most programs, participating students register for 12 semester hours. After completion, undergraduate students receive credit for the study completed, with a minimum of 12 semester hours and a maximum of 18 semester hours; graduate students receive credit with a minimum of six semester hours and a maximum of 12 semester hours.

IPO courses numbered 495 and 595 are converted to ASU credit for recording courses taken abroad.

For some special international programs, students register and receive credit for fewer semester hours.

Joint Admission Continuous Enrollment

Courses with the JAC prefix are used to track students admitted to ASU who are concurrently or solely enrolled in courses offered by a community college.