Courses

Understanding Course Listings

Course Numbering System

Courses numbered 1-69 are non-degree applicable and may not be used to meet graduation requirements. Units represented in the course MUST be replaced by (an) additional course(s) in order to meet graduation unit requirements for associate degrees or certificates.

Courses numbered 70-79 are intended for students with learning disabilities. Students may count a maximum of six units from each program for graduation, but such courses do not replace other English or math graduation requirements. In rare cases these courses may be accepted at a transfer institution. Final determination regarding the transfer of college credit rests with the individual receiving institution.

Courses numbered 80-98 are academic courses not transferable to four-year institutions but applicable to non-transfer associate’s degrees and certificates. For purposes of non-transfer associate-degree graduation, state regulations limit general math courses in the category to Math 094 (Accelerated Algebra) or higher. In rare cases these courses may be accepted at a transfer institution. Final determination regarding the transfer of college credit rests with the individual receiving institution.

Courses numbered 100-298 are full collegiate level courses for which transfer articulation, C-ID transfer equivalents, or lower-division comparable courses at a UC or CSU exist. The courses are certified by the college to be of baccalaureate level and meet the criteria in California Code of Regulations Title 5 Education Codes 55002, 55005, and 55061-55063 termed “standard of rigor” for associate degree and transfer-level courses. Courses at this level are applicable to non-transfer and transfer associate degrees, ADTs, and certificates. Final determination regarding the transfer of college credit rests with the individual receiving institution.

Courses numbered 299/699/899 are Special Projects created to provide academic opportunities for students who are capable of independent work with interest and previous coursework within a specific subject field. These projects are student specific, require research, and must be determined and supervised by a discipline faculty. The scope of the project will determine the number of units available between 1-3, and a contract must be completed prior to beginning the project. Courses numbered 299 and 699 are transferable to CSU as elective credit and can be applied to non-transfer and transfer associate degrees and certificates. Courses numbered 899 can be applied to non-transfer associate degrees and certificates. Final determination regarding the transfer of college credit for Special Projects rests with the individual receiving institution

​Courses numbered 500-698 are full collegiate academic and career education courses. These courses are traditionally highly specialized courses and typically post-Baccalaureate certificates or minors taught at the upper division. The courses are certified by the college to meet the criteria in California Code of Regulations Title 5 Education Codes 55002, 55005, and 55061-55063 termed “standard of rigor” for associate degree and transfer level courses. Courses at this level are applicable to non-transfer associate degrees and certificates. These courses transfer to CSU as elective units only; the course content will be determined after transfer by the individual institution. Final determination regarding the transfer of college credit rests with the individual receiving institution which may also have unit limitations for these courses. 

Courses numbered 549 are Work Experience Education (WEE) courses that provide on-the-job learning related to a student’s educational or occupational goals. These courses are offered by numerous disciplines; please see Work Experience Education (WEE) for more details. Courses at this level are applicable to non-transfer associate degrees and certificates. Final determination regarding the transfer of WEE college credit rests with the individual receiving institution.

Courses numbered 700-898 are career education courses intended for employment and which do not transfer to a university. The courses are certified by the college to meet the criteria in California Code of Regulations Title 5 Education Codes 55002, 55005, and 55061-55063 termed “standard of rigor” for associate degree. Courses at this level are applicable to non-transfer associate degrees and certificates.

Courses numbered 900-998 are Noncredit courses intended to assist students in attaining skills for personal, academic, and professional goals including English as a Second Language, citizenship, basic skills, health and safety, disabilities, parenting, home economics, courses for older adults, short-term career education programs, and workforce preparation. These courses are free to students but do not earn credits and will not transfer to a university. The courses are certified by the college to meet the criteria in California Code of Regulations Title 5 Education Codes 55000, 55002, 55003, 55005, and 55061-55064 termed “standard of rigor.” Courses at this level are non-degree applicable and may not be used to meet graduation requirements.

Specific prefix designation HEP are Honors Studies courses considered a capstone for completion of the Honors program. Students must be admitted into the Honors Enrichment Program before they are eligible to enroll in HEP courses. HEP courses are CSU transferable at time of transfer. UC course unit acceptance is determined after transfer and may not be applied to the UC 60 unit admission requirement. Final determination regarding the transfer of college credit rests with the individual receiving institution. 

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions are arranged by subject and area distinguished by identifying numbers and course titles. The credit value of each course is indicated in semester units. Each unit represents one hour per week of lecture or recitation or a longer time in laboratory or other activity not requiring outside preparation. Some courses may be repeated for credit, but only when explicitly indicated. Students wishing to repeat a course for the purpose of recalculating the grade-point average should refer to rules regarding “Repeating a Course.” Prerequisite organization and the course description are listed below each course title. Students should read this material carefully to be sure that they meet prerequisites and that course content meets their needs and interest. A schedule of classes issued at the opening of each term lists courses offered.

Prerequisite

A prerequisite is a course (or qualification) which must be taken before a student may register for a subsequent course. It is the student’s responsibility to comply with prerequisites of all courses for which they enroll. Course prerequisites are listed in this catalog and in the online course search engine.

The most stringent placement restrictions are prerequisites. If a prerequisite is listed for a course, it means that the discipline faculty and department via the curriculum process have determined that students who lack the prerequisite are highly unlikely to succeed in the course. Therefore, the student MUST meet the prerequisite listed before enrolling in the course.

Corequisite

A corequisite is a course which must be taken prior to or at the same time as another course. If a corequisite is listed for a course, it means that the discipline faculty and department via the curriculum process have determined that students who do not take the corequisite course are highly unlikely to succeed in the course. Therefore, the student either MUST have met the corequisite prior to enrollment in the course or MUST take the corequisite course in the same term.

Recommended Course Preparation

In order to enroll students in courses that best meet their needs and skills, the college has developed several levels of placement information.

If recommended preparation is listed, it means that the faculty strongly recommends that the student meet the recommended preparation before enrolling. The skill or course listed in the note has been determined to be an important preparation to the course. While the student may well pass the course without the skill or course listed, a better grade, better understanding and better performance are likely if the note is followed. Under some conditions, a student may be provisionally enrolled in a course while waiting to determine whether or not a pre-or corequisite has been met. If it is subsequently determined that the prerequisite or corequisite has not been met, the student may be dropped from the course administratively and enrollment fees related to the course refunded.