SUNY Geneseo

Institutional Terminology and Definitions

Explanation of Listings

The department (or content) designation which precedes each course is abbreviated to four letters. The same method of course identification is used in other college publications (e.g., class schedules), reports, and forms (e.g., grade reports, class lists). Figures after the description of each course signify (1) the credits which are earned by successful completion of the course, (2) the number of 50-minute-equivalent lecture style class periods per week (i.e., lecture, discussion, and recitation), and (3) the number of 50-minute-equivalent non-lecture style class periods per week (e.g., activity, laboratory, and studio). Thus, the entry 3(2-2) indicates that (1) the course carries three credits, (2) 100 minutes per week occur in lecture style, and (3) 100 minutes per week are spent in non-lecture style class periods. Unless indicated otherwise following the descriptions, courses are normally offered every semester. The College, however, reserves the right to make changes if circumstances require.

Prerequisites

Many courses carry prerequisites, which are published in course descriptions of the Undergraduate Bulletin for 100-, 200- , 300-, and 400-level courses and the Graduate Guide for 500- and 600-level courses. (Prerequisites for experimental courses are published in KnightWeb) The term “co-requisite” means that students must be enrolled concurrently in both courses so designated. Students are responsible for knowing and fulfilling all prerequisites prior to registration. A student who enrolls in a course without completing all prerequisites or receiving permission from the instructor to waive prerequisites may be subject to removal from the course

Experimental Courses

Experimental courses, so designated because they are innovative or unique in content, method of presentation, or staffing, may be offered at the College during any instructional period (i.e., fall and spring semesters, intersession, summer sessions) on departmental and interdisciplinary bases. If offered within a single department, as defined by content and instructional staff, these courses carry the regular departmental designation (e.g., ANTH for Anthropology, MATH for Mathematics, PLSC for Political Science). If interdepartmental or interdisciplinary in nature, because of content or instructional staff, the courses carry an INTD designation. Regardless of level, all such courses are assigned a temporary course number (i.e., -88); they do not appear in the course listings in this bulletin. However, they are listed in the online Course Schedule in KnightWeb. Experimental courses are proposed by departments and approved for first offering by the Associate Provost for Assessment and Curriculum. Departments may offer experimental courses only once without Senate approval. Students may not be able to repeat courses that are offered on a one-time basis.

Slot Courses

Slot courses are those sufficiently general in nature that they may encompass a variety of specific topics. They are easily identified by the format of the titles; after the general title, which is followed by a colon, the subtitle is printed (e.g., ENGL 203 Reader & Text: subtitle).

Directed Study Courses

In order to allow the pursuit of special interests or specialized areas in which the College does not offer regular courses, policy provides an opportunity for students to arrange independent or individualized instruction with faculty who share their interests. Instruction offered under such an arrangement is called a directed study course and is at the discretion of the instructor.

Directed Study courses meet according to schedules agreed upon mutually by instructors and students. Students complete work independently under the guidance and supervision of members of the faculty. In directed study courses, students engage in academic pursuits such as conducting research and reporting results, investigating problems and presenting conclusions, reading intensively in a discipline, and/or studying advanced subject matter relating to a selected subject, special topic, or specific area. Opportunities for directed study are available in most of the content areas and departments listed on the following pages at the discretion of individual instructors. The online Directed Study submission form (login required) should include the subject matter of the course, the work required of the student, and the system for evaluation of the student’s work. The levels (i.e., introductory, intermediate, and advanced) at which such study can be undertaken vary, but the numbers of such courses usually end in “99.” The permanent records of students who enroll in these courses are noted with “DS,” followed by a brief, specific title.