Course numbering serves to identify the course, the course level, and its sponsoring department (based on subject area). To facilitate the transfer of courses to and from La Roche University, clear definitions of lower-level and upper-level courses are required. Although the content of various academic disciplines differ, lower and upper-level courses can generally be distinguished by the prerequisite knowledge required and the relative academic challenge of the course.
Lower-Level – Courses numbered 1000- to 2999
The primary intent of lower-division coursework is to provide students with general education, to expose students to the breadth of different fields of study, and to provide a foundation for specialized upper-level coursework. They are courses that may be counted in majors, minors, and electives at the basic level in baccalaureate programs.
Lower-level courses generally focus on foundational theories, concepts, perspectives, principles, methods, and procedures of critical thinking. Although lower-level courses sometimes serve as prerequisites for upper-level courses, they are not always stepping-stones to more advanced study. Rather, they may be ends in themselves, providing breadth, enrichment, or general knowledge.
Lower-level courses have one or more of the following characteristics:
- They acquaint students with the breadth of (inter) disciplinary fields in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and to the historical and contemporary theories and practices of professional fields.
- They introduce essential skills of literacy (e.g., information gathering, reading, and writing), language, (e.g., oral communication and language and culture other than English), science, and mathematical competence, to prepare for continuing work in any discipline.
- They lay the foundation for upper-division coursework and to begin development of analytical thinking and theoretical application.
These courses are designed for freshmen and sophomores, but may be taken by others. Community College courses may be comparable.
Upper-Level Courses – Courses numbered 3000 – 4999
Upper-level courses are specialized, in-depth, advanced, and emphasize problem-solving, analytical thinking skills, and theoretical applications. These courses often build on the foundation provided by the skills and knowledge of lower-level courses. Upper-level courses may require the student to synthesize topics from a variety of sources and may also require greater responsibility, or independence on the part of the student.
Upper-level courses have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Depth/Focus: students make in-depth study of a discipline’s theories and methods, developing an understanding of the applications and limitations of those theories.
- Specialization: students develop specific intellectual and professional abilities that will enable them to succeed or progress in a particular field or professional practice.
- Refinement: students build upon the “general education” background noted above, applying these skills more discerningly or in more challenging contexts.
- Preparation: prerequisites may include more general courses, student classification, GPA requirements, or admission to a pre-professional program. Thus, majors and minors generally take upper-level courses in their junior and senior years. Capstone or Integrative Inquiry courses, though not necessarily specialized or focused on in-depth study of one discipline, have an integrative function. Because one of the primary goals of these courses is to integrate knowledge gained from earlier studies, these are offered at the upper-level and limited to juniors and seniors or, in some cases, seniors only. These courses are designed for juniors and seniors, but may be taken by others. Community College courses may or may not be comparable.
Graduate Level – Courses Numbered 5000- and above
Courses numbered at the 5000- and 6000-level are graduate courses. Typically, graduate courses are restricted to students who have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree. At La Roche, 7000-level courses are at the doctorial level.
The primary function of graduate courses is to broaden the perspective and deepen the knowledge students have of a particular discipline or professional field of study, or to provide students with preparation in an advanced professional field that requires foundational knowledge and experience in a related discipline or field of study. Courses at this level are also used for post-baccalaureate certificate and certification programs.
Graduate courses are structured in a manner that allows for a variety of approaches to the subject matter, a wide range of source material, considerable student interaction, and a significant emphasis on independent study and/or research. They are designed to extend the knowledge and intellectual maturity of students beyond the baccalaureate level. They are intended for students who are capable of analyzing, exploring, questioning, evaluating, and synthesizing knowledge.
Reserved Course Numbers:
LRUXXXXX La Roche Experience CORE
INQU3XXX Interdisciplinary Inquiry CORE
ACADX100 Acadeum Online Course Sharing Consortium Courses (1,000-5,000)
XXXX4050 Special Topics and Experimental Courses offered one-time only
XXXX4051/4052 Internships
XXXX4055 Capstone/Senior Seminar
XXXX4057 Independent Study
XXXX4097 Directed Study
XXXX4056 Directed Research
XXXX6051 Graduate-level Internship
XXXXXXXXH Honors Courses available to Honors Institute members and students with GPA 3.5 and above
SASUXXXX Study Abroad/Study USA
XRXX1000 Cross-Registered (Where XX = Host Institution)