Course Numbering System

001-099 Courses which carry no credit toward a degree or credential. Generally remedial or subcollegiate-level in content.

100-199 Lower-Division, introductory courses which 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 which require previous college experience; courses which 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 which 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 which 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 to degrees or credentials at this university.

Course Types

Academic Internships: Many departments and programs offer special undergraduate courses in which students earn academic credit for formally supervised experience outside the traditional university classroom. Students work with faculty and internship hosts to plan, process and evaluate the learning resulting from internship/ Clinical practica. California State University, Northridge recognizes that laws and regulations reserve certain rights for external agencies that consider acceptance of a student into a paid or unpaid internship or practicum. If a student is not accepted into a placement because of these factors, a department or program may, but is not required to, suggest an alternate placement option or design an alternate experience to meet the curricular requirement. However, it is the student who has the responsibility, not California State University, Northridge, to demonstrate that all requisite requirements to achieve a successful placement are met.

All Academic Internship courses are governed by the Academic Internship Policy, and are required to include (among other elements) a clear relationship to the academic discipline(s) offering the course; a screening or selection procedure for students wishing to enroll; a written learning agreement to formalize the internship experience; and facilitation of learning by the course instructor, including both writing assignments and seminars or other group meetings. Normally, a student may count no more than 6.0 units of Academic Internship course credit for their degree.

Independent Study Courses: Enrollment in Independent Study (499, 599, 699 courses) is by permission of the department chair and consent of an instructor to act as a sponsor. Admission is based on evidence of ability to pursue independent study in depth and approval of a project submitted at the time of registration. Students who are on probation or who have not completed academic disqualification readmission requirements may not enroll in Independent Study courses. Regular progress meetings and reports are required before credit can be received. The maximum number of units of credit in Independent Study courses that can be counted toward the baccalaureate degree is 6 units in a major and 3 additional units outside the major. Enrollment in Independent Study is not allowed for the purpose of substitution for an existing course. Not available for General Education.

Individual Study Courses: Enrollment in Individual Study is by permission of the department chair and consent of an instructor to act as sponsor. Individual study courses may be taken only in substitution for approved courses which are not available during the semester of enrollment. A maximum of 6 units of credit in Individual Study may be earned in a single department. Enrollment in Individual study courses must be completed during the first three weeks of instruction. Not available for General Education.

Experimental Topics Courses: Every department is entitled to offer Experimental Topics courses under the numbers 196A-Z, 296A-Z, 396A-Z, 496A-Z, 595A-Z, and 695A-Z.

Course Requisites: Definitions of Terms

  • Prerequisite: A course/condition* that must be completed/met prior to enrollment in another specified course. Enrollment in prerequisite course/condition* groupings is enforced by SOLAR. An unmet or non-completed prerequisite course/condition* will bar a student's enrollment in a course.
  • Corequisite: A course/condition* for which concurrent enrollment in another affiliated course is mandatory. Corequisite courses must always be offered in the same semester. (usually lecture/lab). Students are required to enroll in corequisite course groupings through SOLAR. NOTE: Corequisite courses that are recommended should be designated as "Recommended Corequisites.”
  • Multiple Component Course: A component course is a graded lecture class that has a required non-graded 0-unit lab or discussion. To enroll in component classes, enter the class number of the lab or discussion and the system will automatically enroll you in the lecture class.
  • Preparatory: A course/condition* that is recommended to be completed/met prior to enrollment in another course. Examples of prerequisite "conditions” include "class level,” a specific examination score, a specified passing grade, etc.