Course Information

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

Course Descriptions

BIOL¹ 101² Biology Survey I³ (COM)⁴ … … … … … 3⁵
Study of the nature, diversity, and classification of life; ecology; cells and cell cycles, Mendelian and modern Genetics. Intended for those not majoring in Biology. Duplicate credit for 101 and 151 not allowed.⁶

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. 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.
6. 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.

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Course Numbering

Undergraduate Courses
001-099 Pre-college, remedial skills, special improvement (non-degree credit)
100-199 Freshman level
200-299 Sophomore level
300-399 Junior level
400-499 Senior level (may be dual listed with 500 level graduate course)

Graduate Courses
500-599 Entry level graduate (may be dual listed with a 400 level undergraduate course and may include limited enrollment by undergraduates)
600-699 Graduate level (undergraduate enrollment only by exception) Also open to senior students for graduate credit under the following conditions: Within 15 credits of completing Bachelor’s degree; Have an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher, or a Junior-Senior grade point average of 3.0 or higher; Enroll for no more than 18 credits (9 credits during Summer Term); The course or courses are not required for the Bachelor’s degree.
700-799 Graduate level (graduate students only)
800-899 Doctoral and post-doctoral level (doctoral and post-doctoral students only)

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.

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Course Prefixes

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Course Types/Instructional Methods

Clinical Experience
Students participate in client and client related services that are an integral part of an educational program. Clinical instruction occurs in or outside an institutional setting and 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. Instructional Method: G.

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. Instructional Method: C.

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 and do not entail a dissertation or thesis. The plan of study is negotiated by the faculty member and the students. Contact between the two may be extensive and intensive. May be used as a research/design requirement for a degree. Research/Research Problems are included in this course type. Instructional Method: J.

Discussion/Recitation
A course, or a section of a larger course, designed for group discussion or student recitation. Instructional Method: D.

Ensemble
Large group musical performance courses, meaning group of more than 10 performers. Includes: orchestra, bands, and choruses. Instructional Method: H.

Graduate Thesis
A formal treatise presenting the results of study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an advanced degree. The process requires intensive interaction between the candidate and the thesis director. Masters degrees, Specialist degrees, and Doctorates are included in this course type. Instructional Method: T.

Independent Study
Students complete individualized plans of study. The faculty member and students negotiate the details of the study plans. Meeting depending upon the requirements of the topic. This course type is not for completion of a thesis or dissertation or for meeting the research requirement for a degree. Directed Studies, Special Projects, Mentored, and Special Problems are examples of this course type. Instructional Method: I.

Internship/Practicum
Applied, monitored and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may or may not be paid. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and/or directed plan of study. Includes field work/ experience, supervision courses, student teaching, and cooperative education. Instructional Method: S.

Laboratory
Courses meeting in a defined physical setting (i.e. laboratory) for the purpose of the application of methods and principles of a discipline. Instructional Method: L.

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

Modified Physical Education Activity
A course type limited to accommodate students with physical disabilities where numbers are very limited. Instructional Method: O.

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. Instructional Method: P.

Private Instruction
The courses involve individual instruction. One-to-one demonstration, performance critique, music, fine arts or performing arts, or flight instruction are examples. Instructional Method: M.

Seminar
A highly focused, and topical course. The format includes student presentations and discussions of reports based on literature, practices, problems, or research. Seminars may be conducted over electronic media such as Internet and are at the upper division or graduate levels. Instructional Method: E.

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 or experts may serve as instructors.

Studio Course/Small Group Instruction/Small Ensemble
Course involves the demonstration and application of design and theory in a defined physical setting (i.e., studio). The Studio Course is characterized by significant oneon- one student/instructor interaction. Students explore and experiment under the guidance of an instructor. Instructional Method: A.

Thesis/Research Sustaining
This is a zero credit hour course type used to track students who are not currently working with faculty on thesis or research activities. Universities may require students to register under this course type to remain active degree candidates. Instructional Method: U.

Tracking Courses
This course type is used to track students for zero credit hours. Instructional Method: Q.

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. Instructional Method: T.

Workshop
Special sessions in specific topic areas. Approximately 45 hours of work is required for each hour of credit. Workshops may vary in time range. They may include lectures, conferences, committee work, and group activity. Instructional Method: W.

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Other Important Definitions

Advanced Writing
A BOR Requirement, courses chosen by departments to meet this requirement are tagged with (AW).

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.

Globalization
A BOR Requirement, courses chosen by departments to meet this requirement are tagged with (G).

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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. Seminars may be conducted over electronic media such as Internet and are at the upper division or graduate levels. Enrollment is generally limited to fewer than 20 students. Instructional method: E.

x91 Independent Study
Includes Directed Study, Problems, Readings, Directed Readings, Special Problems, and Special Projects. Students complete individualized plans of study which include significant one-on-one student-teacher involvement. The faculty member and students negotiate the details of the study plans. Enrollments are usually 10 or fewer students. Meeting depending upon the requirements of the topic. Instructional method: I.

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 or experts may serve as instructors. Enrollments are usually of 10 or fewer students with significant one-on-one student/teacher involvement.

x93 Workshop
Special, intense sessions in specific topic areas. Approximately 45 hours of work is 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: W.

x94 Internship
Applied, monitored and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may or may not be paid. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and or directed plan of study. A higher level of supervision is provided by the instructor in these courses than is the case with Field Experience courses. Instructional method: S.

x95 Practicum
Applied, monitored and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may or may not be paid. Students gain practical experience; they follow a negotiated and or directed plan of study. A higher level of supervision is provided by the instructor in these courses than is the case with Field Experience courses. Instructional method: S.

x96 Field Experience
Applied, monitored and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may or may not be paid. 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, a lower level of supervision is provided by the instructor in these courses than is the case with an Internship or Practicum course. Instructional method: S.

x97 Cooperative Education
Applied, monitored and supervised, field-based learning experience for which the student may or may not be paid. 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, a lower level of supervision is provided by the instructor in these courses than is the case with an Internship or Practicum course. Instructional method: S.

498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
Includes Senior Project, and Capstone Experience. Independent research problems/projects or scholarship activities. The plan of study is negotiated by the faculty member and the student. Contact between the two may be extensive and intensive. Does not include research courses which are theoretical. Instructional method: J.