Course Information

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

• Course Descriptions
• Course Numbering
• Course Prefixes
• Course Types/Instructional Methods
• Other Important Definitions
• x9x Common Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

ENGL¹ 283² Introduction to Creative Writing³ (COM)⁴ [SGR #1]⁵ Credits: 3⁶
This course introduces students to the craft of writing, with readings and practice in at least two genres (including fiction, poetry, and drama). Prerequisites: ENGL 101.⁷

1. Course prefix.
2. Course number. The first digit of the three-digit number indicates the level of instruction, as follows:

0 Pre-college, non-degree, remedial
1 Freshman
2 Sophomore
3 Junior
4 Senior

3. Name of the course.
4. Common Course within the Regental System.
5. Course meets System General Education Requirement.
6. Number of credits assigned to the course. One credit is usually interpreted as one hour of class work per week or as two to four hours of lab work per week.
7. A brief description of the course. This section will also include other information affecting your enrollment in the course. A course description might include, for instance: “P, MATH 102.” This means that MATH 102 is a prerequisite and must be taken before enrollment in this course. Other information included in various course descriptions would be: “Alternate years,” “Not open to majors,” “May be repeated for a total of six credits,” etc.

Course Numbering

Undergraduate Courses

Graduate Courses

Experimental Courses

A course at the 100-600 levels ending in 99 is experimental and may be offered no more than twice within two academic years before it must be submitted as a New Course Request.

Course Prefixes

Course Types/Instructional Methods

Clinical Experience

Students participate in client and client related services that are an integral part of an educational program with instruction occurs in or outside an institutional setting that involves work with clients who receive professional services from students serving under direct or indirect supervision by a faculty member and/or an approved member of the agency staff.

Clinical Laboratory

The course takes place in a clinical laboratory setting. This includes practice labs, hospitals, or other agencies. Students apply methods and principles of a clinical discipline. Course size varies depending upon accreditation standards, clinical space limitations, level of offering, availability of client experiences, the nature of the clients, and equipment limitations. Faculty members control the assignments and maintain direct and close supervision of the students.

Competency-Based/Self-Paced Study

Students proceed through a course of study at their own rate, or as directed often assisted by computer or other technology. Mastery is based on achieving competencies and benchmarks, rather than attaining a schedule of assignments. An instructor monitors student progress. May be supplemented by individual or group tutorial sessions. Includes self-paced Internet courses. Instructional Method: B.

Design/Research

Courses focusing on design research with a plan of study negotiated between the faculty member and the students (excluding thesis or dissertation). The plan of study is negotiated by the faculty member and the students with contact between the two expected to be both extensive and intensive. Programs may use the course to meet research/design requirement for a degree where research/research problems are included as long as the course is not theoretical in nature.

Discussion/Recitation

A course, or a section of a larger course, designed for group discussion or student recitation.

Graduate Thesis

A formal treatise presenting the results of study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an advanced degree (Masters, Specialists, and Doctoral degree programs).  The process requires intensive interaction between the candidate and the thesis director, and includes activities that are in excess of the number of credit hours in the student’s plan of study or the maximum applicable to the degree pursued.

Independent Study

Students complete individualized plans of study (i.e., directed studies, special projects, mentored, special problems, etc.) negotiated between a faculty member and a student.

Internship/Practicum

Applied, monitored and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may or may not be paid (field work/experience, supervision courses, student teaching, cooperative education).  Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and/or directed plan of study where the section size varies depending on the level of supervision or monitoring provided by the instructor for the of small groups involved.

Laboratory

Courses meeting in a defined physical setting (i.e., laboratory) for the purpose of the application of methods and principles of a discipline.

Lecture

Faculty members give oral presentations of facts, principles, context, or interpretation. Instruction takes place in a traditional classroom setting.

Modified Physical Education Activity

Similar structure employed for Physical Education Activity type courses but enrollments are limited to accommodate students with physical disabilities.

Music Ensemble, Large

Large group musical performance courses, with a group of more than 10 performers.

Music Ensemble, Small

Intended for small musical groups, either instrumental or vocal in nature.

Physical Education Activity

A course devoted to participation in or the performance of some form of physical activity. Knowledge associated with the proper performance of the activity is presented.

Private Instruction

Course involves individual instruction (i.e., one-to-one demonstration, performance critique, music, fine arts or performing arts, flight instruction, etc.).

Seminar

A highly focused and topical course employing a format that includes student presentations and discussions of reports based on literature, practices, problems, or research.

Small Group

Because of known and ongoing constraints, section size is restricted to 9 or fewer students. Such constraints are physical in nature; they tie to a limited number of work stations, specimens, necessary pieces of equipment, etc.

Special Topics

Course devoted to a particular issue in a specified field where the course content is not wholly included in the regular curriculum. In some instances guest artists or experts may serve as the primary instructor of record for the course.

Studio

Course content compels significant one-to-one student/instructor interaction; the course is very hands- on with extensive student engagement.

Thesis/Research Sustaining

Zero credit hour course used solely to track students who are not currently working with faculty on thesis or research activities.  Institutions may require students to register under this instructional method to remain active degree candidates.

Tracking

Zero credit hour course used primarily for tracking student enrollment in a given degree program.

Undergraduate Thesis

A formal treatise presenting the results of study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an undergraduate degree.  The process requires extensive and intensive one- on-one interaction between the candidate and professor with more limited interaction between and among the candidate and the other members of the committee.

Workshop

Special sessions in specific topic areas that may include lectures, conferences, committee work, and group activity. Workshops may vary in time range but traditionally 45 hours of work is required for each hour of credit.

Other Important Definitions

Common Course Numbering

The South Dakota Regental institutions utilize common course numbering, meaning that a course designated as a common course (COM) is automatically transferable between institutions. Any courses on the following pages without the COM designation are considered to be unique to SDSU.

Crosslisted Courses

A crosslisted course is a course which carries more than one course prefix (i.e., HIST, POLS, GEOG) with credit being offered under any one of the listed prefixes at the same time. Students choose to take the course under the prefix that is more beneficial to their course of study. All students meet at the same time in the same place, with the same instructor(s). A crosslisted course may also be multi-numbered.

Dual Numbered Courses

A multiple-numbered course is a single course specifically designed for simultaneous delivery at two or more levels with the two or more numbers taught simultaneously. In some instances, the course may be offered for credit at different levels (i.e., courses may be offered for upper/lower division credit or for undergraduate/graduate credit). The dual-numbered course may also be crosslisted.

x9x Common Course Descriptions

The following middle digit 9 course numbering scheme is used in the South Dakota public university system. These courses may have multiple sections. A section’s title may or may not reflect the material covered in that section. See the academic department for section information, e.g., description, prerequisites such as instructor or department consent, GPA required, junior or senior standing, etc.

x90 Seminar

A highly focused and topical course. The format includes student presentations and discussions of reports based on literature, practices, problems, and research. A seminar may occur over electronic media such as the Internet and are at the upper division or graduate levels. Enrollment is generally limited to fewer than 20 students. Instructional method: Seminar.

x91 Independent Study

Includes Directed Study, Problems, Readings, Directed Readings, Special Problems, and Special Projects. Students complete individualized plans of study including significant one-on-one student/teacher involvement. The faculty member and students negotiate the details of the study plans. Enrollments are usually three or fewer students. Meetings depend upon the requirements of the topic. Instructional method: Independent Study.

x92 Topics

Includes Current Topics, Advanced Topics, and Special Topics. A course devoted to a particular issue in a specified field. Course content is not wholly included in the regular curriculum. Guest artists experts may serve as instructors. Enrollments are usually 10 or fewer students with significant one-on-one student/teacher involvement. Instructional Method: Special Topics.

x93 Workshop

Special, intense sessions in specific topic areas. Approximately 45 hours of work are required for each hour of credit. Workshops may vary in time range but typically use a compressed time-period for delivery. They may include lectures, conferences, committee work, and group activity.. Instructional method: Workshop.

x94 Internship

Applied, monitored, and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may (or may not) receive payment. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and or directed plan of study. Instructors provide a higher level of supervision than provided by instructors in Field Experience courses. Instructional method: Internship/Practicum.

x95 Practicum

Applied, monitored, and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may (or may not) receive payment. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and or directed plan of study. Instructors provide a higher level of supervision than provided by instructors in Field Experience courses. Instructional method: Internship/Practicum.

x96 Field Experience

Applied, monitored, and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may (or may not) receive payment. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and or directed plan of study established between the student, instructor and field experience supervisor. Due to the presence of a field experience supervisor, the instructor provides a lower level of supervision in these courses than is the case with an Internship or Practicum course. Instructional method: Internship/Practicum.

x97 Cooperative Education

Applied, monitored, and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may (or may not) receive payment. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and or directed plan of study established between the student, instructor and field experience supervisor. Due to the presence of a field experience supervisor, the instructor provides a lower level of supervision in these courses than is the case with an Internship or Practicum course.Instructional method: Internship/Practicum.

498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship

(Includes Senior Project and Capstone Experience): Independent research problems/projects or scholarship activities. The faculty member and student negotiate the plan of study. Contact between the faculty and student may be extensive and intensive. Does not include theoretical research courses. Instructional method: Design/Research.