Course Information

Course Numbering System

Omnibus Graduate Course Descriptions

Key to Course Listing Codes

For a complete list of course prefixes, see the “Course Prefix Index.”

COURSE INFORMATION

Information about all lower- and upper-division courses offered at ASU Main and ASU East appears in the General Catalog, published every spring. Classes scheduled for the current or upcoming fall or spring semester are listed in the Schedule of Classes, published before the beginning of registration. Classes scheduled for the summer sessions are listed in the Summer Sessions Bulletin, published every spring. The Schedule of Classes and Summer Sessions Bulletin are also available online at www.asu.edu/registrar/schedule. Information about all courses that apply toward graduate programs appears in the Graduate Catalog, published annually. Information about lower- and upper-division courses offered at ASU West appears in the ASU West Catalog, published annually.

COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM

100–299 (Lower-Division) Courses. Lower-division courses are designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores. Certain classes are closed to freshmen who lack the designated prerequisites or whose majors are outside the unit offering the course. This information is available in the General Catalog, in the Schedule of Classes, or from the student’s academic advisor.

300–499 (Upper-Division) Courses. Upper-division courses are designed primarily for juniors, seniors, and other advanced students. Prerequisites and other restrictions should be noted before registration. Courses at the 400 level apply to graduate degree requirements for individual programs of graduate study when approved by the Graduate College. See “Reserving of Course Credit by Undergraduates.”

500–799 (Graduate-Level) Courses. Graduate-level courses are designed for graduate students. However, an upper-division undergraduate student may enroll in these courses with the approval of the student’s advisor, the course instructor, the department chair, and the dean of the college in which the course is offered. If the course does not meet an undergraduate graduation requirement, it may be eligible for use in a future graduate program on the same basis as work taken by a nondegree graduate student. See “Reserving of Course Credit by Undergraduates.”

Continuing Registration. Courses numbered 595, 695, and 795, Continuing Registration, carry one semester hour of credit; however, the student receives neither credit nor grade for the course.

Omnibus Courses. The omnibus numbers are used for courses offered on an experimental or tutorial basis or for courses in which the content is new or periodically changes. Academic units use their own prefixes before omnibus course numbers. The general nature of the work required for a particular omnibus course is consistent from unit to unit, but subject matter varies. Omnibus courses are often offered for a variable number of semester hours. See the appropriate academic unit in the General Catalog or major in the Graduate Catalog for the omnibus course listing under a subject area. - Back to Top

500, 600, 700 Research Methods. (1–12)
Course on research methods in a specific discipline.

580, 680, 780 Practicum. (1–12)
Structured practical experience in a professional program, supervised by a practitioner and/or faculty member with whom the student works closely.

583, 683, 783 Field Work. (1–12)
Structured, supervised field experience in a field science or other discipline requiring experience in field techniques.

584, 684, 784 Internship. (1–12)
Structured practical experience following a contract or plan, supervised by faculty and practitioners.

590, 690, 790 Reading and Conference. (1–12)
Independent study in which a student meets regularly with a faculty member to discuss assignments. Course may include such assignments as intensive reading in a specialized area, writing synthesis of literature on a specified topic, writing literature review of a topic.

591, 691, 791 Seminar. (1–12)
A small class emphasizing discussion, presentations by students, and written research papers.

592, 692 Research. (1–12)
Independent study in which a student, under supervision of a faculty member, conducts research that is expected to lead to a specific project such as a thesis or dissertation, report, or publication. Assignments might include data collection, experimental work, data analysis, or preparation of a manuscript.

593, 693, 793 Applied Project. (1–12)
Preparation of a supervised applied project that is a graduation requirement in some professional majors.

594 Conference and Workshop. (1–12)
Topical instruction, usually in compressed format, leading to academic credit. Often offered off campus to groups of professionals.

595, 695, 795 Continuing Registration. (1)
Used in situations where registration is necessary but where credit is not needed. Replaces arbitrary enrollment in reading and conference, research, thesis, dissertation, etc. Used by students when taking comprehensive examinations, defending thesis or dissertation, or fulfilling the continuous enrollment requirement in doctoral programs. Credit is not awarded, and no grade is assigned.

598 Special Topics. (1–4)
Topical courses not offered in regular course rotation—e.g., new courses not in the catalog, courses by visiting faculty, courses on timely topics, highly specialized courses responding to unique student demand.

599 Thesis. (1–12)
Supervised research focused on preparation of thesis, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

792 Research. (1–15)
Independent study in which a student, under supervision of a faculty member, conducts research that is expected to lead to a specific project such as a dissertation, report, or publication. Assignments might include data collection, experimental work, data analysis, or preparation of a manuscript.

799 Dissertation. (1–15)
Supervised research focused on preparation of dissertation, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

The preceding courses are described in announcements of the Graduate College and are also available in the respective departments. Under special circumstances, arrangements may be made at the dean’s request, through the approval of the senior vice president and provost, to increase the standard semester hours of credit.

LAW 597, 697, and 797. The numbers 597, 697, and 797 have been reserved for the Visiting Student Program in the College of Law.

Prerequisites and Corequisites. Some requirements, known as prerequisites, must be met before registering for a course. Other requirements, called corequisites, must be met while taking a course. A student registering for a course should be able to show that prerequisites have been met and that corequisites will be met as stated in the catalog or Schedule of Classes or must otherwise satisfy the instructor that equivalent preparation has been completed.

International Program Courses. Courses with the prefix IPO numbered 495 and 595 are reserved for International Programs study abroad and exchange programs. For most programs, participating students register for 18 semester hours. Following completion of an international program, undergraduate students receive credit for the study completed, with a minimum of 12 semester hours and a maximum of 18 semester hours, graduates with a minimum of six semester hours and a maximum of 12 semester hours.

IPO courses numbered 494 and 598 may be taken for one semester hour. Students register for these courses under the title “Study Abroad.” At the conclusion of the program and the transfer of overseas courses to the students’ ASU records, a grade of “Y” is entered for the course.

For some special international programs, students register and receive credit for fewer semester hours. - Back to Top

1998–99 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents

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