Course Numbering: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester

• Updated: December 2009
• Primary Contact : Susan Van Voorhis

1. The primary purpose of the course numbering system is to help students select and sequence courses. Consistent use of the course numbering system also helps those who view a student’s transcript identify the level of courses that appear on the transcript. Semester courses will have four digit numbers. The first number designates the course level. The numbering system is as follows:
   
   

   0xxx -	Courses that are remedial and do not carry credit toward any University degree but which carry normal tuition and fee charges
   1xxx -	Courses primarily for undergraduate students in their first year of study
   2xxx -	Courses primarily for undergraduate students in their second year of study
   3xxx -	Courses primarily for undergraduate students in their third year of study
   4xxx -	Courses primarily for undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of study; graduate students may enroll in such courses for degree credit
   5xxx -	Courses primarily for graduate students; undergraduate students in their third or fourth year may enroll in such courses
   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

   Notes:

   • 0xxx course credits: Have normal tuition and fee charges and count in financial aid calculations.
   • 3xxx and 4xxx courses: 3xxx and 4xxx courses are generally considered to be upper division.
   • Use of 4xxx Courses in Graduate Programs: 4xxx courses may be applied toward a Graduate School degree with approval by the student's major field and if the course is taught by a member of the graduate faculty or an individual authorized by the program to teach at the graduate level (subject to the corresponding Policy and Review Council's guidelines).

   Also, 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. These are matters left to the discretion of each graduate program.

   • 6xxx and 7xxx Courses: 6xxx and 7xxx courses are to be used primarily for post-baccalaureate professional programs that are not offered through the Graduate School. 6xxx and 7xxx courses may be counted for a Graduate School degree, if a degree program wants them to count. Similarly, 5xxx and 8xxx courses may be counted for a non-Graduate School degree, if a program wants them to count. Those departments or programs that offer both Graduate School degrees and non-Graduate School degrees should decide for themselves how best to number courses in the curriculum.
   • Alphabetic Suffixes: No alphabetic suffixes other than those already in place at the time this policy is adopted (April, 2009) may be used (see the FAQ).


2. All thesis credit courses will use the following numbering conventions:

   8666 -	Doctoral Pre-thesis Credits
   8777 -	Thesis Credits: Masters
   8888 -	Thesis Credits: Doctoral



3. All-University numbering conventions for other kinds of courses are provided below.

   xx91 -	Independent Study
   xx92 -	Directed Reading
   xx93 -	Directed Study
   xx94 -	Directed Research
   xx95 -	Problems
   xx96 -	Field Study; Internships, Industrial Assignment
   xx97 -	Reserved for future use
   xx98 -	Reserved for future use

All of the above are examples of courses that may be repeated for credit. Use of a zero as the last digit of a course number should be reserved for other kinds of courses that may be repeated for credit (e.g., "topics" courses).

Exclusions

This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.

Course numbering helps students select courses and sequence courses. Consistent use of the course numbering system also helps those who view a student’s transcript to identify the level of courses that appear on the transcript.

There are no procedures related to this policy.

There are no forms related to this policy.

Directed Research

An opportunity in which a student designs and carries out a research project under the direction of a faculty member. Directed research may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment.

Directed Study

A course in which a student designs and carries out an independent project under the direction of a faculty member. Directed study courses may be taken for variable credit and special permission is needed for enrollment.

Remedial

Remedial courses are intended to correct or improve deficient skills and knowledge in a specific subject. 0xxx courses are remedial courses that do not carry credit.

There are no responsibilities related to this policy.

There are no appendices related to this policy.

What are suffixes and how can they be used?

Suffixes help identify certain characteristics of courses. Currently three suffixes are used: W (for writing intensive courses); H (for honors courses); and V (for courses that are both honors and writing intensive).

There is no related information for this policy.

Amended:

December 2009 - Policy now applies to Crookston.

Effective:

April 2009