Course Numbering/Coding System
Course levels
Courses are numbered according to the level of difficulty at which they are taught. Course levels are:
100-199 Introductory-level courses
200-299 Intermediate-level courses
300-499 Advanced-level courses
Special course numbers
Some course numbers designate certain kinds of courses, regardless of level or discipline. These special course numbers are as follows:
x00-x09 Courses that do not count toward a major in the specific discipline
x83-x84 Field Experience or Service Learning Module
An off-campus experience supervised by a faculty member designed to give students an opportunity to apply principles learned in academic course work in a professional/vocational setting. See Service Learning Modules for more information. (XXXX-283/XXXX-383)
x85-x89 Seminar
Seminars are special topics courses designed for small, highly specific groups of students (i.e., students with a certain major) in which the students are actively involved in all aspects of the course.
x90 Topics
Experimental or “one-time only” courses. The “Topics” designation enables faculty to offer timely courses of special interest to students.
x91 Topics (Honors Level)
Experimental or “one-time only” courses specifically designed for students admitted to Central’s Honors Program. The “Topics” designation enables faculty to offer timely courses of special interest to students.
x92-x95 Practicum
An on-campus, unpaid work experience, directly supervised by a Central faculty member, designed to give students an opportunity to apply principles learned in academic course work. Graded on a pass/no credit basis. Credit is arranged but not to exceed 3 credits without permission of the associate dean of academic affairs. Examples include: peer instructors or course assistants.
x96 Co-Op
A full-time work experience, carrying variable college credit, in the area of the major. The co-op is monitored by Central faculty to meet appropriate academic and professional goals. Generally, enrollment in a co-op precludes enrollment in more than 3 credits of other course work during the co-op semester.
x97 Internship
Academic internships provide an opportunity to connect learning to life. Structured as supervised learning experiences in a practical work setting, internships are directed by a professional in the field and supervised by a faculty member in a related discipline. Internships can be done during the academic year, typically replacing a standard course (1-6 credits), or in the summer as a more intensive experience. Alternatively, students can participate in one of Central College’s internship-focused off campus programs for up to 12 hours of credit. Internships are graded on a pass/no credit basis and are recorded on students’ transcripts. For more information, please see Internships in the current catalog or contact the center for community-based learning.
x98 Research
Supervised advanced-level research directed by faculty members. 1-3 credits
x99 Independent Study
Students work one-on-one with a professor on an agreed upon topic not addressed as such elsewhere in the Central curriculum. 1-3 credits
Note: As distinguished from Independent Study courses, directed study courses are those in which a student, working one-on-one with a professor, takes a standard, cataloged course. Directed Study courses are identical in content and rigor to their regularly offered versions.
Additional course codes
Letters following the course descriptions in the catalog provide additional information about the courses, as follows:
For students matriculating in the fall of 2023:
CTN Courses that meet the citizenship Core requirement
EXP Courses that meet the Exploration Core requirement
WOC Course that meet the Written and Oral requirement
The course descriptions below apply to student matriculating as new first-year students prior to fall 2023 and some transfer students entering in the fall of 2023:
ART Courses that meet the arts Core requirement
HP Courses that meet the historical perspective Core requirement
LP Courses that meet the literature and philosophy Core requirement
MR Courses that meet the mathematical reasoning Core requirement
NS Courses that meet the natural science Core requirement
REL Courses that meet the religion Core requirement
SB Courses the meet the social and behavioral Core requirement
GS Courses that meet the global sustainability Core requirement
GPC Courses that meet the global perspective: intercultural Core requirement
GPN Courses that meet the global perspective: international Core requirement
WRT Courses that have been approved to meet the writing intensive Core requirement. See the online searchable schedule for the most up-to-date information on which specific sections contain the WRT designation.