New Course Numbers
Starting with registration of the Fall 2022 term, the college has been transitioning to a new course numbering system.
Why new numbers?
The current course numbering system and discipline code abbreviations have been in use for over 30 years and many departments are running out of numbers. Although the numbering schema was originally designed to give an indication of where each course fits within a department's program, that meaning is no longer clear for many courses.
Over the past three years the college has worked hard to create a new course numbering system that is easier to understand. The numbering system was adopted by all departments, and all have assigned new numbers to all of their courses. The new course numbers, which are all four digits, have been designed to better assist a student in navigating degree requirements. An explanation of the general numbering scheme is listed below.
What happens to courses I took under the old numbering system?
Those courses are not affected and will show on your transcript with their old numbers. Systems such as Degree Works and Web Services, that evaluate whether you've met prerequisites and program requirements are being adapted to count both the old and new course numbers. The back of your transcript will explain the switch in numbering systems.
What else besides the number will be changing?
Some of the discipline code prefixes are changing to become better aligned with degree programs. Nothing else about the courses is changing due to this process.
How will upper-division credits be counted?
200 level courses completed prior to Fall 2022 will continue to meet the upper-division course requirements as you pursue your degree. Courses taken Fall 2022 or after, at the 2000 level will no longer meet the upper-division course requirement. Courses numbered 3000 and above will be considered upper division in the new numbering strategy.
| Numbers | Description |
|---|---|
| 0001-0999 | Developmental Coursework/Non-Credit Courses |
| 1000-1999 | Courses appropriate for undergraduate students in their first year of study |
| 2000-2999 | Courses appropriate for undergraduate students in their second year of study |
| 3000-3999 | Courses appropriate for undergraduate students in their third year of study |
| 4000-4999 | Courses appropriate for undergraduate students in their fourth or fifth year of study |
| Numbers | Description |
|---|---|
| 5000-6999 | Graduate level coursework |
| 7000 | Continuous enrollment graduate course |
| Numbers | Description XX90-XX92 |
|---|---|
| XX90 | Capstone Experiences |
| XX91 | Reserved for Future College Use |
| XX92 | Reserved for Future College Use |
| XX93 | Research Assistantships |
| XX94 | Special Topics |
| XX95 | Teaching Assistantships |
| XX96 | Field Experiences, Student Teaching, Practicum |
| XX97 | Internships |
| XX98 | Senior Seminar, Thesis Research |
| XX99 | Independent Study |
Department |
Course Prefix Code |
Course Prefix Description |
|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media | MDIA | Media |
| Cooperstown-Museum Studies | MUSE | Museum Studies |
| Geography Department | ENSS | Environmental Sustainability |
| History Department |
HISA |
History - American |
| History Department | HISE | History - European |
| History Department | HISW | History - World |
| Human Ecology Department | EVNT | Event Planning |
| Human Ecology Department | HDFS | Human Development & Family Studies |
| Sport and Exercise Sciences Department | EXSC | Exercise Science |
| Sport and Exercise Sciences Department | SPMT | Sport Management |
| Women's and Gender Studies Department | WGS | Women's and Gender Studies |
Task Force (2017-2018)
In the Fall of 2017, the Council of Chairs asked the Provost to consider changing the course numbering strategy for the College. Two major issues were discussed:
Because course numbers cannot be recycled, many departments have either run out or are running out of course numbers.
The current course numbering strategy does not conform with higher education norms, and as such and can pose problems for students.
The College-wide Renumbering Task Force will:
Determine a course numbering strategy that can be applied to all college courses; and
Determine the tasks that must be completed by various offices to achieve renumbering of all college courses; and
Determine a timeline for completion of the tasks associated with renumbering of all college courses.
The task force delivered its final recommendations at the end of the spring 2018 semester.
Task Force Members:
Maureen Artale, Registrar
Donna Johnson, Admissions Advisor
Michael Koch, Associate Professor of Philosophy (Council of Chairs Representative)
Eileen McClafferty, Director of Academic Advisement
Wade Thomas, Dean, School of Economics and Business (Task Force Chair)
Fred Zalatan, Associate Professor of Biology (Senate Steering Committee Representative)
Where/when will I see the new numbers?
March 21 - Fall 2022 Schedule of Classes will show each course's new number.
March 21 - Degree Works will be updated to show all new course numbers where requirements still exist in your degree program.
June 2022 - The next edition of the College catalog will be produced with all new course numbers.
Watch this video to see what your DegreeWorks document will look like after the course renumbering.