Guide to Reading Course Descriptions

Course Numbering System

The present system of numbering courses prescribes that all courses use three digits to indicate the course level and/or type of course, and a three-letter subject to indicate the department or college.

The following catalog numbering guidelines indicate the level and type of course:

Interpretation

• The first, or left, digit of the course catalog number indicates level.
• The second, or middle, digit may or may not indicate the study area, depending upon the curriculum structure of the particular department.

Glossary of Course Subjects

Each course number is preceded by a three-letter subject that indicates the area of study. You can view a complete alphabetical list of subjects, together with the area for which each stands and the college or school in which the course is taught, by selecting the Courses  link.

Guide To Reading Course Descriptions

Example 1

CHE 477 - Proteins and Nucleic Acids Lab     College of Arts & Sciences
Crosslisted with: BCM 477  
Double Numbered with: CHE 677
3 Credits - Offered at least 1x, fall or spring
Experimental methods for biologically synthesizing and chemically purifying macromolecules in order to analyze their structure and function, including: polymerase chain reaction; site-directed mutagenesis; Protein expression and purification; nucleic acid and protein electrophoresis. Additional work required of graduate students. PREREQ: CHE 474  or BIO 326  or BIO 575

CHE 477  - course subject = CHE (Chemistry) (see “Courses ”) and catalog number = 477.

Proteins and Nucleic Acids Lab - course title.

College of Arts and Sciences - the school, college, or academic unit offering the course.

Crosslisted* with: BCM 477  - course is crosslisted with a course in Biochemistry, BCM 477 . *Crosslist: Two or more different subjects, same or different course numbers, but with the same title and catalog description, e.g., CHE/BCM 477. Crosslisting may occur within a school or college, or between schools/colleges.

Double Numbered** with: CHE 677 - Course is also offered as CHE 677. **Double Number: Same subject, two different course numbers at different levels, undergraduate and graduate, e.g., CHE 477/677. Double numbered courses are numbered no more than 300 apart. 

3 Credits - number of academic credits the course carries. Variable credit courses show a range of credits, e.g. 1-3 credits.

Offered at least 1x fall or spring - Indicates frequency of offering. Courses may be offered every semester, at least once a year, only in academic years ending in an odd year (2007-2008) or in an even year (2004-2005); during a summer session, irregularly, or based on sufficient student interest.

Experimental methods for biologically synthesizing and chemically purifying macromolecules in order to analyze their structure and function, including: polymerase chain reaction; site-directed mutagenesis; Protein expression and purification; nucleic acid and protein electrophoresis. Additional work required of graduate students. - Course description

PREREQ: CHE 474  or BIO 326  or BIO 575 - A prerequisite (PREREQ) is a course or condition that must be successfully completed or met before enrollment is possible in the course described. A course may also have a corequisite (COREQ), which requires concurrent enrollment.

Example 2 - Courses that can be repeated for credit

SED 340 - Participation in the Professional Development      School of Education
Double Numbered with: SED 640
0-1 Credits - Offered each semester
Individual involvement in research, discussion and decision making with teachers, university faculty, and colleagues who are members of the Professional Development School Cadres and Academies. Repeatable 5 time(s), 2 credits maximum

In this example, “repeatable 5 time(s), 2 credits maximum” appears at the end of the description. This means the course may be taken and counted more than once toward fulfillment of degree requirements. In the example, SED 340  can be repeated up to 5 times, but only for a maximum of 2 credits earned.

Descriptions Of All-University Courses

All-University courses allow students considerable flexibility in developing individual academic programs. Students enrolled in any school or college within the University may enroll in these courses. Some, but not all, all-University courses are displayed under individual school and college course listings in this catalog. Whether listed or not, the descriptions are standard in every program and are provided below.

Experience credit and independent study courses may be elected for one to six credits, depending on individual arrangements with the participating faculty member. In selected topics courses, students may earn one to six credits. Students are advised to check carefully with their faculty advisors and the dean of their school or college before registering for an all-University course to be sure that the course will be accepted toward the completion of their degree requirements.

• SELECTED TOPICS (TITLE MAY VARY)
  (Subject) (Catalog Number) Selected Topics 1-6 credits
  Exploration of a topic (to be determined) not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
  • All Selected Topics Courses end in 00.
  • Two Semester Rule for Selected Topics: *Any course offered twice as a selected topics must be “regularized” as a new course before it can be offered again.
• EXPERIENCE CREDIT
  (Subject) (Catalog Number) Experience Credit 1-6 credits
  Participation in a discipline- or subject-related experience. Students must be evaluated by written or oral reports or an examination. Limited to those in good academic standing. The student must get permission, in advance, of assigned instructor, department chair, or dean.
• INTERNATIONAL COURSE
  (Subject) (Catalog Number) (Title and Name of Institution) 1-12 credits
  Offered through Syracuse University Abroad (Syracuse Abroad) by an educational institution outside the United States. Syracuse Abroad obtains approval from the SU academic department to award SU credit and to assign the course level. Students register for the course at the foreign institution and are graded according to the educational institution’s practice. Grade is taken from the foreign institution-issued transcript, with a conversion scale used where appropriate.
• INDEPENDENT STUDY
  (Subject) (Catalog Number) Independent Study 1-6 credits
  In-depth exploration of a problem or problems. Individual independent study upon a plan submitted by the student. Admission by consent of supervising instructor or instructors and the department. May be repeated for credit.
• HONORS THESIS
  (Subject) 499 Honors Thesis 3-6 credits
  The “499” number is used as needed by all departments in the University. Students sign up for Honors Thesis the same way they do for the other all-University courses - by filling out a form at registration each time they register for the course.

The following is the course numbering system for all-university courses which, along with the departmental subject, constitutes an integral part of the course description:

Course Numbering for All-University Courses

 The 100, 300, 500, 700, 800 series may also be used for all-university courses.