Course Numbers
Policy regarding course numbers, including course ranges for various degree levels, types of courses (e.g., independent study), and reuse of course numbers.
Course Numbers
Policy Number
UW-1064Responsible Office
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional ResearchType
University PolicyRationale/Purpose
This policy defines the parameters for use of course numbers to ensure consistency across the university.
Policy
Course numbers:
- Reflect the level of the course;
- Assist advisors and students in course planning, selection, and registration;
- Appear in the Guide;
- Appear on student transcripts;
- Factor into degree audits;
- Are used in reports.
It is imperative academic units follow the course numbering rubric to ensure consistency across the university.
- Ranges
- Course numbers below 100 do not carry degree credit.
- Courses numbered 100-299 may be taken for credit only by undergraduates.
- Courses numbered 300-699 may be taken for credit by undergraduate and graduate or professional students.
- Courses numbered 700-999 are open only to graduate and professional students.
- Specific Course Numbers
- Directed/Independent Study
- Course numbers ending in 98 or 99 (e.g., 198 or 699) are reserved for individual instruction (i.e., directed study, independent study) and are not to be used for group instruction.
- Courses ending in 98 (e.g., 198 or 698) are offered on a credit/no credit basis.
- Courses ending in 99 are graded on the A-F grade scale.
- Directed/Independent Study
- Thesis
- Course numbers 681 and 682 are reserved for the two-semester undergraduate honors thesis sequence.
- Upon completion of the first course in the sequence, a placeholder grade is entered indicating whether the student is making appropriate progress. At the completion of the second course, an appropriate grade (A-F) is entered for the second course in the sequence, which automatically updates the first course in the sequence.
- Course numbers 691 and 692 are reserved for the two-semester undergraduate (non-honors) thesis sequence.
- Upon completion of the first course in the sequence, a placeholder grade is entered indicating whether the student is making appropriate progress. At the completion of the second course, an appropriate grade (A-F) is entered for the second course in the sequence, which automatically updates the first course in the sequence.
- Course number 680 is reserved for the one-semester honors thesis.
- Course number 690 is reserved for the one-semester (non-honors) thesis.
- Courses numbered 790, 890, 990 are generally used for thesis and dissertation writing.
- A grade of P (Progress) is entered each semester indicating whether the student is making appropriate progress until the faculty member assigns a grade of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) and all previously assigned P grades will convert to the S or U. Read the policy UW-1235 Progress (P) Grades.
- Course numbers 681 and 682 are reserved for the two-semester undergraduate honors thesis sequence.
- Reuse of a Course Number
- A course number may be reused, provided the previous course with that subject/number combination is inactive and there has been no enrollment in the course for at least eight years.
- If the course that previously used the number remains active but has not had any student enrollment (including transfer credit or study abroad equivalency credit) for at least eight years, a course deactivation proposal must be submitted via Lumen Courses prior to starting a new course proposal that uses the same course number.
- The Guide displays active courses for each subject, and when each course was last taught. Inactive courses do not appear.
- The Lumen Course Proposal Form will only allow eligible course numbers to be entered and saved on a course proposal.
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources
Approval Authority
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic AffairsPolicy Manager
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional ResearchContact
Associate Director -- Michelle Young, michelle.young@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2143Effective Date
04-13-1962Source: View policy UW-1064 in the UW-Madison Policy Library