Course Numbering

Course Numbering Definitions and Requirements

Effective: September 1, 2011

Last Updated: Approved by EPC December 15, 2010; approved by Campus Assembly April 12, 2011; revision approved by TLC 5-6-15; revised by TLC, approved by EVCAA 5-22-19; revised by TLC, approved by EVCAA 4-8-20

Policy Owner: Academic Affairs

Semester Courses

Semester courses will have four digit numbers. The first number designates the course level.  

0xxx      Courses that do not result in credit hours toward any University degree; however, they may be assessed tuition and/or fees in the same way as courses that carry credit. 

1xxx       Course content designed primarily for undergraduate students in their first year of study.

2xxx       Course content designed for undergraduate students in their second year of study.

3xxx       Course content designed for undergraduate students in their third year of study.

4xxx       Course content designed for undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of study; graduate students may include such courses in the Graduate Degree Plan (GDP) with program approval. 

5xxx       Course content designed for graduate students; advanced undergraduate students may enroll in such courses. Programs are not allowed to require 5xxx-level courses in undergraduate programs.

6xxx       Courses for post-baccalaureate students in professional degree programs.

7xxx       Courses for post-baccalaureate students in professional degree programs.

8xxx       Courses for graduate students.

9xxx       Courses for graduate students.

Note:  1xxx and 2xxx courses:  1xxx and 2xxx courses are to be at the introductory collegiate level.  They should have few, if any, prerequisites.  Notable exceptions are where there is a sequence of courses at the introductory level (e.g., one-year sequence of science, math, writing, world language, art). 

Note:  3xxx and 4xxx courses:  3xxx and 4xxx courses are considered to be upper division, are to be of a more advanced level, and should require a higher level of sophistication.  They may require previous work at the college level (e.g. lower division courses or a credit total as a prerequisite)

Note:  Use of 4xxx Courses in Graduate Programs:  a maximum of nine 4xxx course credits may be counted for a graduate degree but a graduate program may restrict the use of 4xxx courses in the program (e.g., by stipulating that no more than y credits of 4xxx courses may be counted or by stipulating that only certain 4xxx courses may be counted). Such restrictions may be applied both for 4xxx courses in the major field and for 4xxx courses outside the major field.

Note:  6xxx and 7xxx Courses:  6xxx and 7xxx courses are to be used primarily for post-baccalaureate professional programs at the graduate level. 

Thesis Credit Courses

All thesis credit courses shall use the following numbering conventions.

8666       Doctoral Pre-thesis Credits

8777       Thesis Credits: Masters

8888       Thesis Credits: Doctoral

Graduate Active Status Courses

GRAD 0999        Active status: 0 credit - student pays basic computer network access fee each semester of enrollment.

8333      FTE: Master’s - student is considered a full-time student for assistantship loan deferments, veterans benefits, and other considerations.

8444      FTE: Doctoral - student is considered a full-time student for assistantship loan deferments, veterans benefits, and other considerations.

Other Courses

Generally, these courses may be repeated for credit.

xx91       Independent Study

xx92       Directed Reading

xx93       Directed Study

xx94       Research 

For xx91, xx92, xx93 and xx94 course content, the student and faculty member will develop a written contract that includes the number of credits, nature of work to be accomplished, time expectations, the name of the faculty member who is responsible for the final grade, and the number of periodic meetings between the student and faculty member.

xx95       Special Topics:  Umbrella course number for specific topics or issues which are timely in nature.  An abbreviated course proposal must be submitted for each new class title under the Special Topics umbrella course.  A department wishing to offer a specific Special Topics title more than twice must submit a course proposal through the standard course approval process to convert this title to a regular course.

xx96       Field Study:  The student will work in a mentored/supervised status in a professional setting.  Clear guidelines will be available as to the student’s responsibilities and grading procedures will be established. One credit requires a minimum of 40 hours of work in a supervised setting over the course of the term.  Graduate students are expected to work a greater number of hours per credit.

xx97       Internship/Externship:  The student will work as an intern in a professional setting.  Clear guidelines will be available as to the student’s responsibilities and grading procedures will be established. One credit requires a minimum of 40 hours of work in a supervised setting over the course of the term.  Graduate students are expected to work a greater number of hours per credit.

xx98       Used for Internships.

xx99       Used for projects and seminars.

Dual-listed courses

A course is dual-listed when the course content is offered at both the 1xxx and 3xxx or 4xxx and 5xxx course levels. Courses that legitimately meet the needs of undergraduate programs, but are often also used as required or elective graduate courses may be dual-listed. The course will have the same subject designation, but be offered with both 1xxx/3xxx or 4xxx/5xxx course numbers.  Students registered at either level meet at the same time and place, with the same instructor. Separate syllabi are prepared for each course level and will evidence respective evaluation criteria and outcomes for the level of the course. 

Cross listed courses

A cross listed course consists of a single course offered for registration under two or more distinct subject designators and course numbers. Cross-listed courses  must be at the same level (e.g. 1000-level, 3000-level, etc), have the same content, title, description, outcomes, same or equivalent prerequisites, and be offered for the same number of credits. Course proposals and syllabi for the cross-listed courses must be discussed and approved by both departments, collegiate curriculum committee(s), and dean(s) prior to review by Academic Affairs. A compelling case based on course content and outcomes must be made on the Course Proposal for cross-listing a courses. The decision by a department to discontinue a cross-listed course is unilateral for both teaching departments and must be communicated in writing and routed through the usual curriculum process. Students register for only one of the cross-listed courses (e.g., either Soc 1xxx or Anth 1xxx; Stats 3xxx or Math 3xxx). Each semester departments must coordinate adding cross-listed courses to the UMD Schedule of Classes.