Course Descriptions

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The numbers in parentheses following course titles indicate (1) hours per week of lecture, (2) hours per week of laboratory and (3) semester credit hours. An asterisk (*) following these three figures indicates variable or alternative credit, and the last figure represents the maximum variation in semester credit hours. In general, credit hours for these variable courses may range from one to the number indicated.

The frequency of offering follows the meeting and credit hour information. Courses offered every year are designated by semester(s) only. Courses offered every other year are designated by semester and odd/even year.

Note: Since most courses are not offered every semester, students should be aware that failure to take a required course when it is offered may delay graduation.

Any course may be offered on demand should sufficient interest be demonstrated and should a qualified instructor be available. “Demand” courses with a defined content will be offered as regularly as practical for the host department.

At the end of the course description, the following information will be given when applicable: laboratory information, corequisites (“concurrent enrollment”) and prerequisites, cross listed courses (“same as”), special fees, and pertinent information about the use of the course.

Courses and Numbering

All courses are listed alphabetically by course prefix and numerically within each prefix. The department and college assignments are also noted. ACU uses a three-digit course numbering system. Courses numbered 100 to 299 are lower-level courses (primarily for freshmen and sophomores). Courses numbered from 300 to 499 are upper-level, or advanced, courses (primarily for juniors and seniors). Courses numbered 500 to 799 are graduate courses. All courses numbered 000 to 099 do not count toward graduation or GPA.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Some courses have prerequisites, which must be met before a student may register for that course. In some cases, a student may have special knowledge, skills or background that will enable him or her to perform well in a given class without meeting its prerequisites. Such a student should seek special permission from the department and/or instructor offering the course. Courses listed as corequisite must be taken together. Students should refer to the most recent catalog for course corequisites, prerequisites, and restrictions.

Course Sequencing

Some courses have recommendations of a previous course(s) for appropriate sequencing. Such recommendations are not prerequisites; the system will allow any student meeting a course’s prerequisites to enroll for a course regardless of whether the student meets the sequencing recommendations. Students are cautioned, however, to follow sequencing recommendations when all of the courses in the sequence are on their degree plans.

Guided Study, Special Topics, and Tutorial Courses

Each department may offer Guided Study (also called Independent Study) courses (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700); Special Topics courses (140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740); or Tutorial courses (generally offered to students at Study Abroad locations) as special needs dictate and/or available faculty allow. The first number will indicate the level of the course. Special Topics courses are offered on a one-time basis, to take advantage of particular faculty expertise, or to allow a department to develop a course for permanent inclusion in the inventory of courses. Generally, Special Topics and Tutorial courses may be included in the Semester Schedule when they are offered; Guided Studies will not be included in the Semester Schedule.

The Texas Common Course Numbering System

The Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) has been designed for the purpose of aiding students in the transfer of general academic courses between colleges and universities throughout Texas. Common courses are freshman and sophomore academic credit courses that have been identified as common by institutions that are members of the common course numbering system. The system ensures that if the student takes the courses the receiving institution designates as common, then the courses will be accepted in transfer.

For further information contact the transfer course coordinator in the Registrar’s Office.

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