This is an archive of the 2015-2016 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2015-2016 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2015-2016

Course Numbering System

  • 001-099 Courses that carry no credit toward a degree or credential. Generally remedial or subcollegiate-level in content.
  • 100-199 Lower Division, introductory courses that constitute the beginning of college work in a major or in General Education and which require no previous college experience. Open to Upper Division students.
  • 200-299 Lower Division courses of freshman and sophomore level. Open to Upper Division students. Constitute intermediate step between beginning and advanced work in a given field; General Education courses that require previous college experience; courses that develop advanced skills; courses with specific prerequisites.
  • 300-399 Upper Division courses, normally taken by junior and senior students, which do not give credit toward a master’s degree. Sophomore students may enroll in 300-level courses, but freshmen may not without special permission. Advanced courses constructed upon Lower Division work; traditional survey courses whose breadth tends to preclude depth; Upper Division prerequisites to specialized work in a major; general education courses for Upper Division students; core courses in professional education; the highest number for courses primarily concerned with development of skills.
  • 400-499 Upper Division courses that may, with approval, give credit toward a master’s degree if taken as a post-graduate. Limited to more advanced courses, normally taken by senior and graduate students, which have content that requires a high degree of intellectual maturity on the part of the student. Should also meet one or more of the following specific criteria: (a) have specific prerequisites at the 100-200 level; (b) be supported by a substantial body of 100-300-level offerings from which a student could normally be expected to gain adequate background for the 400-level course; (c) be restricted in scope, aiming at depth rather than breadth.
  • 500-599 Courses intended primarily for graduate students that may be taken by advanced undergraduate students for baccalaureate credit. Content requires significant independent thinking on the part of the student and offers opportunity for research. Should also meet one or more of the following criteria: (a) have specific prerequisites at the 400-level; (b) be supported by a substantial body of 300-400-level offerings from which a student could normally be expected to gain adequate background for the 500-level course; (c) be especially designed for a graduate curriculum (e.g., an introductory course to current topics in the field).
  • 600-699 Courses limited to graduate students. Intended mainly for masters and credential programs; may be taken as part of a doctoral degree with approval.
  • 700-799 Courses limited to graduate students. Intended mainly for doctoral programs; may be taken as part of a master’s degree with appropriate approval.
  • 800-899 Courses specifically designed for professional groups seeking vocational improvement or career advancement. Credit for these courses does not apply toward degrees or credentials at this University.