Course Numbering

PREFIXES

The course prefix is a four-letter designation for the academic subject area in which the course will be offered, i.e., F/TV, DANC, MATH, etc. The prefix/es will be consistently used in the catalog and schedule of classes. If possible, the course prefix should correspond to equivalent courses offered at the state universities.

COURSE NUMBER:

(Indicating credit status and transfer status)

  • Baccalaureate Status: Before determining a course number, first consider if the course is a baccalaureate course. Refer to the definition of a baccalaureate course in the Appendix of this Guide and consult with the Articulation Officer on our campus.
  • UC transferability: Courses numbered 1 through 49 indicate transferability to the University of California system. However, this numbering cannot be assigned to new courses until the articulation agreement has been made with UC by the Articulation Officer. Therefore, check the proposed UC transfer status on no. 12 of the cover sheet and use a number from 50-99. The Articulation Officer will notify you of the articulation status and work with you to designate a new number between 1-49 when approved.
  • CSU transferability: Courses numbered 50 through 99 are transferable to the California State Universities. (Note: If the course is both UC and CSU transferable, the course may be numbered 1-49, after articulation agreements are arranged. Please see the UC transferability explanation above.)
  • Nontransferable: Courses numbered 100 and above are nontransferable.
  • Non-credit: Courses 500 and above are noncredit.


SUFFIXES:

An alphabetic suffix may be added to a course number to add the following information:

  • Suffix letters A-F identify closely related sequential courses.
  • Suffix letters G-V identify courses considered as modular courses or courses covering related, non-sequential material.
  • Suffix lettes W, X, Y, Z are appended to identify course variations that carry different credit values form the basic course. For example, CHEM 40, the basic course for 1 unit has no suffix. (Numbers with no suffix designate the lowest unit value.) CHEM 40 has Special Projects classes, so suffixes are appended to CHEM 40, namely, CHEM 40X for 2 units and CHEM 40U for 3 units. Each suffix designates progressively more units.

REUSING A COURSE NUMBER:

A course number cannot be reused. The Curriculum Office discovered that course numbers cannot be re-used because of some major technical issues in Banner with regards to student records. Please check with the Curriculum/Catalog Coordinator if you need a number for a new course.

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