Course Numbers

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Policy Number:
UW-1064
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy defines the parameters for use of course numbers to ensure consistency across the university.

Definitions:
Academic Unit
The academic and administrative home for an academic program or subject listing, also known as an academic department, housed within an academic division (school/college). The academic unit originates all program and curricular changes through academic governance; ensures the curriculum is appropriate and that courses are offered regularly; provides student support services such as advising; prepares all content for the Guide and assures the program and subject listing is represented accurately at all times; oversees the course evaluation process; coordinates assessment and program review; and receives allocation for program enrollment, degrees, certificates and credits in the information systems.
Scope:

Academic units.

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.

  1. Ranges
    1. Course numbers below 100 do not carry degree credit.
    2. Courses numbered 100-299 may be taken for credit only by undergraduates.
    3. Courses numbered 300-699 may be taken for credit by undergraduate and graduate or professional students.
    4. Courses numbered 700-999 are open only to graduate and professional students.
  2. Specific Course Numbers
    1. Directed/Independent Study
      1. 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.
      2. Courses ending in 98 (e.g., 198 or 698) are offered on a credit/no credit basis.
      3. Courses ending in 99 are graded on the A-F grade scale.
  3. Thesis
    1. Course numbers 681 and 682 are reserved for the two-semester undergraduate honors thesis sequence.
      1. 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.
    2. Course numbers 691 and 692 are reserved for the two-semester undergraduate (non-honors) thesis sequence.
      1. 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.
    3. Course number 680 is reserved for the one-semester honors thesis.
    4. Course number 690 is reserved for the one-semester (non-honors) thesis.
    5. Courses numbered 790, 890, 990 are generally used for thesis and dissertation writing.
      1. 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.
  4. Reuse of a Course Number
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. The Guide displays active courses for each subject, and when each course was last taught. Inactive courses do not appear.
    4. The Lumen Course Proposal Form will only allow eligible course numbers to be entered and saved on a course proposal.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Effective Date:
04-13-1962
Revised Dates:

07-31-2023

Retrieved:
05-03-2025 00:21:24