When browsing through courses in the URI Academic Catalog, one might not realize the descriptions are packed to the brim with information. Below, you will find definitions and explanations to all the items that make up a course.
See the glossary below, or scroll all the way down for The Anatomy of a Course Description.
| Item | Definition |
|---|---|
| Class Component | See "Method of Instruction" |
| Code | The three-letter subject area of a course, e.g. ACC, COM, WRT, etc. |
| Combined Section | See "Cross-listed Course" |
| Corequisites | See "Prerequisites" |
| Course Code | See "Code" |
| Course Credits | See "Credits" |
| Course Description | See "Description" |
| Course Number | See "Number" |
| Credits | 8.31.10 Basis for Credit. The basis of a credit shall normally be three hours work; for example, one credit for each lecture or recitation and two hours of preparation, or one credit for each two-hour laboratory and one hour of preparation, or one credit for each three-hour laboratory with no outside preparation, the student workload for an online class shall be equivalent to the in-class and out-of-class work in its face-to-face equivalent. Individual evaluation of courses offering practice in a professional major shall be made by the respective deans to determine non-lecture hour credits and will include at least an equivalent amount of work as required in the definitions cited above. |
| Cross-listed Course | A course offered under multiple course codes, meaning students can register for it under different names, but the course content and instruction remain the same. This is not the same as simultaneous courses. |
| Description | Course descriptions are written for students, not faculty, and must communicate clearly and concisely to them. Jargon, acronyms, and technical language should be avoided as much as possible. Anyone should be able to read the description and understand the nature and intent of the course. An acceptable course description with a maximum of 30 words, begins with a verb, e.g. examines, introduces, explores, investigates. Articles, adjectives and adverbs are seldom necessary. Sentence fragments are acceptable. |
| General Education Learning Outcomes | Courses approved for Gen Ed credit have that designation listed at the end of the description (e.g. (A2) (C1) for a course that fulfills the full A2 and C1 outcomes). Only full outcomes are listed; partial outcomes are not. 8.20.10 The General Education program will assess student exposure to twelve Student Learning Outcomes in four areas: A. Build knowledge of diverse peoples and cultures and of the natural and physical world. (A1) STEM Disciplines (A2) Social & Behavioral Sciences (A3) Humanities (A4) Art & Design B. Develop intellectual and interdisciplinary competencies for academic and lifelong learning. (B1) Write Effectively (B2) Communicate Effectively (B3) Mathematical, Statistical, or Computational Strategies (B4) Information Literacy C. Exercise individual and social responsibilities. (C1) Civic Knowledge & Responsibilies (C2) Global Responsibility (C3) Diversity & Inclusion D. Integrate and apply these abilities and capacities, adapting them to new settings, questions, and responsibilities to lay the foundation for lifelong learning. (D1) Integrate & Apply |
| General Education Learning Outcomes Configuration | 8.20.12 All General Education courses will assess two Student Learning Outcomes, in the following configurations: Knowledge (Area A) and Competency (Area B) Knowledge (Area A) and Responsibility (Area C) Competency (Area B) and Competency (Area B) Competency (Area B) and Responsibility (Area C) Integration (Area D) and Competency (Area B) Integration (Area D) and Responsibility (Area C) |
| Grand Challenge | 8.20.13 A Grand Challenge course is an interdisciplinary General Education course that may be offered at any level (100 to 400). It is designed to facilitate students’ exploration of multiple perspectives on areas of contemporary significance, including their ethical implications, and to provide a stimulating and innovative course experience that addresses significant global challenges and broadens students’ understanding of the critical issues facing them in the 21st century. |
| In-Person (modality) | Modality. A course with no more than 24.9% of instruction delivered online. All courses are assumed to be in-person unless otherwise approved by Faculty Senate. |
| Independent Study | Method of instruction. One-on-one instruction in which the student enters into an agreement with the instructor that defines the focus of inquiry and nature of activities. Includes tutorials, directed readings, special projects. |
| Laboratory | Method of instruction. In-class applied course work, generally involving experimentation or observation, typically using special equipment (including computers and specialized software). |
| Lecture | Method of instruction. A course in which the primary method is presentation and students are expected to participate in a variety of ways, such as small-group discussions, questions and answers, writing-exercises, etc. |
| Letter Grades | 8.53.10 Student grades are defined as follows: A – Superior B – Good C – Fair D – Low grade, passing F – Failure 8.53.11 Grades shall be given quality point values as follows: A = 4.00 points A- = 3.70 points B+ = 3.30 points B = 3.00 points B- = 2.70 points C+ = 2.30 points C = 2.00 points C- = 1.70 points D+ = 1.30 points D = 1.00 points F = 0 points U = 0 points U* = not calculated in GPA |
| Method of Instruction | The instructional delivery method. Any given course can have more than one delivery method. URI uses the following methods: Lecture, Laboratory, Recitation, Studio, Seminar, Independent Study, Practicum, Workshop, and Online. Also known as "class component." Current methods of instruction are definied in the Four Hundred Fifty-First Report of the Curricular Affairs Committee (April 3, 2007) |
| Modality | The way a course is delivered. See "In-person" and "Online" |
| Number | 8.30.10 Course Numbering System 001-099 Level. Pre-freshman and special undergraduate. Characteristics: Undergraduate courses not applicable for degree credit. Post-Secondary or sub-freshman remedial courses, Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies courses for no credit or for non-credit certificate credit only. 100-299 Level. Lower division undergraduate courses. Primarily for freshmen and sophomores and as electives for upper class students. Characteristics: Little or no prior college level work required. May not be taken for graduate credit. 300-399 Level. Upper division undergraduate courses. Primarily for juniors and seniors majoring in the field or advanced students in other disciplines. Characteristics: Some formal background or sophistication required but not to the extent that would ordinarily justify allowing graduate degree credit. 400-499* Level. Generally limited to juniors and seniors majoring in the field. Open to other advanced undergraduates and to graduate students with permission. Characteristics: Extensive background required, may be taken for graduate credit. (Limitations may be stated by the department if desired.) 500-599 Level. Graduate level courses. The bachelor’s degree is usually a prerequisite but qualified seniors and honors students can be admitted with permission. Characteristics: Comprise majority of course work between bachelor’s and master’s degree. Number 599 reserved for masters thesis research and is graded on an S/U-only basis. 600-699 Level. Advanced graduate courses. No undergraduates admitted except honors students with approval of advisors and the department. Characteristics: Comprise majority of course work between master’s and doctor’s degree but not limited to doctoral students. Number 699 reserved for doctoral thesis research and is graded on an S/U-only basis. 900-999 Level. Special types of graduate courses for which no program credit is allowed. Characteristics: Workshops, institutes, courses taken for certificate credit only, courses taken to remedy deficiencies, and temporary courses which have not been approved by the Graduate Council for graduate program credit. *Courses numbered at the 400 level must have approval of both the Curriculum and Standards Committee and the Graduate Council. |
| Number of Class Hours Per Week | Course descriptions identify the number of class hours per week for each method of instruction (instructional delivery method) in parenthesis prior to the prerequisites (e.g. Lec. 3, Rec. 1): Homework, out-of-class assignments, etc. are in addition to the number of class hours noted. |
| Online (method of instruction) | Method of instruction. A course that is delivered entirely online. (CAC policy includes possibility of a required organizational session, etc.) |
| Online (modality) | Modality. A course delivered at least 75% online. |
| Open-ended Course | 8.81.20 An Open-ended Course shall be administered by the department which originated it. Initially, an open-ended course shall be proposed and approved in the same manner as other permanent courses (8.81.10). Prior to offering a specific topic the content of the course shall be approved in a department meeting. 8.81.21 After approval of each offering of an open-ended course topic, a copy of the title, subtitle, and description shall be forwarded for schedule authorization to the Office of Enrollment Services via the dean of the college in which the department resides. The dean’s authorization shall ensure that no overlap exists between specific topics and existing courses. 8.81.22 A specific topic within an open-ended course may be offered three times. After three offerings the topic shall be approved through the appropriate channels as either a permanent course or as a permanent topic within an open-ended course and shall be included in the University Catalog. |
| Permanent Course | 8.80.11 A permanent course is one which has no restrictions on the number of times it may be offered. A permanent course may be open-ended; that is, a course whose subject matter may vary between offerings. Open-ended courses may include workshops, seminars, colloquiums, special topics, special problems, and special projects. Only permanent courses may be listed in the University Catalog. |
| Practicum | Method of instruction. Structured experiences where the primary aim is to connect theory with practice. Includes clinics, internships, externships, student teaching, field experiences. May include regular class meetings. |
| Prerequisites | The items required in order to enroll in a course. This can include completed courses, GPA requirements, academic standing (sophomore, junior, senior, etc.), and can also include corequisites (courses or programs the student must be simultaneously enrolled in), or other conditions such as "for Chemistry majors only," "not for students enrolled in the following classes.." etc. Prerequisites are designated by "Pre:" and are listed after the number of class hours per week towards the end of the course description. |
| Recitation | Method of instruction. Separate sections of a lecture course regularly scheduled for discussion. |
| S/U Grade | 8.53.30 Certain courses do not lend themselves to precise grading (e.g., research, seminar). For these courses, only a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) shall be given to all students enrolled. To qualify as an S/U course, the course must be approved by the Faculty Senate after recommendation by the Curriculum and Standards Committee and/or the Graduate Council. S/U courses shall be so labeled in the University Catalog. An S/U course is not to be counted as a course taken under the Pass/Fail grading option. Courses numbered below 100 that are graded on an S/U basis shall not be included in the calculation of a student’s quality point average or credits earned. Courses numbered above 500 that are graded on an S/U basis shall not be included in the calculation of a student’s quality point average. 8.53.10 S – Satisfactory, course taught on S-U basis U – Unsatisfactory, course taught on S-U basis 8.20.14 Only courses that fulfill the D1 Student Learning Outcome, Integrate and Apply, may be graded using S/U. Of D1 courses graded S/U, a student may apply only up to 6 credits to the total 40 credits needed to complete the General Education requirements. |
| Seminar | Method of instruction. Course offered to a small group (usually no more than 20 students) where participants actively exchange ideas and findings based on readings or research. |
| Simultaneous Course | 8.30.20 Simultaneous Courses. Departments may offer courses at the 400-level and 500-level taught simultaneously to both undergraduates and graduate students. In such a case students must register for the course under either its 400 number or its 500 number. For approval at two levels course proposals must demonstrate appropriate differences to the satisfaction of both the Curriculum and Standards Committee and the Graduate Council. To be approved at both levels courses must differ substantially in requirements and expectations of students. Assignments, examinations, projects and analyses should require a greater depth of understanding, sophistication and skills for students registered under the 500 number than for those registered under the 400 number. |
| Studio | Method of instruction. In-class, supervised work with an emphasis on performance and creativity in which faculty instruct, assist, and critique. |
| Temporary Courses | 8.80.12 A temporary course may be offered no more than twice and only during a two-year period following its approval. A temporary course must meet one or more of the following criteria: a) it is experimental in nature. It is innovative, using unconventional devices or pedagogical methods, course materials, approach to course content or student-teacher relationships; b) it is being tried out on a temporary basis so that its value and effectiveness can be tested before it is added to a department’s permanent curriculum; c) it is intended for a limited duration, such as in the case of employing a visiting specialist temporarily available or to satisfy temporary needs and interests of students or to deal with timely issues. 8.81.30 A Temporary Course shall have approval of the department(s) or committee proposing it, the dean(s) of the college(s) involved, and the Curriculum and Standards Committee and/or the Graduate Council, except that a temporary University College mini-course (a one-credit lower-level undergraduate course taught during the fall or spring semester) does not require the approval of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. The Curriculum and Standards Committee shall, however, receive information about any temporary University College mini-course after it has been approved by the college dean. The Graduate Council may refuse to grant or may attach conditions to the granting of graduate program credit for a temporary course. Each college may require internal channels of approval in addition to those specified here. 8.81.31 The Curriculum and Standards Committee and the Graduate Council shall give priority at their meetings to the consideration of proposed temporary courses. Prior to approving temporary courses, these committees shall distribute to all faculty a description of these courses and shall provide faculty members with a seven-day period in which to register comments with the Chairperson of the Curriculum and Standards Committee and/or with the Dean of the Graduate School. 8.81.60 It is the responsibility of the Office of Enrollment Services to limit the offering of a temporary course to only twice during a two-year period and to limit to three times the offering of a specific topic within an open-ended course. |
| Workshop | Method of instruction. imilar to a seminar, with emphasis on applied rather than theoretical learning, but not offered for degree-program credit. |
| X-Courses | See "Temporary Courses" |
