Course Terms and Definitions
Listings in the Course Descriptions section are grouped alphabetically according to academic discipline. Then, under each academic discipline, the courses follow a numerical order. Each listing includes the description of the course content, the course credit, prerequisites (if any), and corequisites (if any). Course offerings are subject to the availability of staff and adequate enrollment. Students should consult the yearly time schedule of classes to determine the courses actually offered each semester.
Cross-Referenced Rubrics Some courses carry two rubrics (i.e. EC/RD 335). This means the same course is offered in the Early Childhood listing and in the Reading listing of courses.
Course Numbering The academic program at Montana State University Billings is organized in lower division, upper division and graduate courses. Lower division courses are numbered 100 to 299; upper division courses carry numbers from 300 to 499; graduate courses have numbers from 500 to 599. Ordinarily, freshmen take courses carrying numbers from 100 to 199; sophomores from 200 to 299; juniors from 300 to 399; and seniors from 400 to 499. However, provided that prerequisites are met, freshmen may take courses carrying numbers from 200 to 299, sophomores from 300 to 399, and juniors from 400 to 499. Courses numbered 500 to 599 are available to senior students who are within one semester of graduation, have a minimum grade point average of 3.00, and have received prior approval from the Director of Graduate Studies. If these conditions have been satisfied, students may enroll for up to eight semester graduate credits.
Courses numbered 600 and above are only available to graduate students.
Teacher Education Program Restricted Courses Certain upper division courses are restricted to students admitted to the Teacher Education Program at MSU Billings. (See page 238 for a listing of specified courses.) Only those students admitted to the Teacher Education Program may register for these restricted courses.
Symbols and Abbreviations
Credit Hour The number following the course title indicates the number of credits for which the course is offered. When the credit number is followed by “R,” the course may be repeated up to the total credit indicated. For example, 1 cr. R-6 means a course is offered for one credit but may be repeated up to a maximum of six credits. When the indicated credit is preceded by a “V,” the possible credit varies. For example, V 1-5 cr. means the credit varies from one up to a maximum of five. Normally, a credit represents 60 minutes of classroom instruction per week for one semester. The time required for each credit may be distributed in any combination among preparation, recitation, lecture or laboratory work.
Lecture and Laboratory 4 cr. (Lec. 3; Lab 1)
Illustrates a class with three credits of lecture per week and one credit of laboratory.
Lecture and Studio 4 cr. (Lec. 2, Stu 2)
Illustrates a class with two credits of lecture per week and two credits of studio work a week.
Recitation and Studio 4 cr. (Rct 2, Stu 2)
Illustrates a class with two credits of recitation a week and two credits of studio work a week.
Cooperative Education V 1-8 cr. Each Cooperative Education course requires, as a minimum, 45 contact hours per semester credit hour.
Prerequisite Some courses require other courses which must be completed before another can be taken. For example, ACCT 234 Principles of Accounting I Prerequisite: ACCT 233 means that ACCT 233 must be completed before a student enrolls in ACCT 234. In some cases, an equivalent course for stated prerequisites may be substituted by permission of the dean or chairperson of the area in which the course is given.
Corequisite Some courses require that another course(s) be taken simultaneously if the corequisite course has not been successfully completed prior to registration. Withdrawal from a corequisite course necessitates withdrawal from the other corequisite course(s).
WR designates a Writing Intensive course (See Academic Foundations page 70).
TN designates a Technology Intensive course (See Academic Foundations page 70).
* Designates a course that can be counted toward Academic Foundations Requirements (See Academic Foundations, page 70).
Ñ Designates programs and degrees that are offered online as well as on campus (see the Online University, page 264). |
