Course Descriptions

Classification of Courses

Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System

Each participating institution controls the title, credit, and content of its own courses and recommends the first digit of the course number to indicate the level at which students normally take the course. Course prefixes and the last three digits of the course numbers are assigned by members of faculty discipline committees appointed for that purpose by the Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee. Individuals nominated to serve on these committees are selected to maintain a representative balance as to type of institution and discipline field or specialization.

The course prefix and each digit in the course number have meaning in the Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The list of course prefixes and numbers, along with their generic titles, is referred to as the "SCNS taxonomy." Descriptions of the content of courses are referred to as "course equivalency profiles."

General Rule for Course Equivalencies

For example, a survey course in social problems is offered by 31 different postsecondary institutions. Each participating institution uses "SYG _010" to identify its social problems course. The level code is the first digit and represents the year in which students normally take this course at a specific institution. In the SCNS taxonomy, "SYG" means "Sociology, General," the century digit "0" represent "Entry-Level General Sociology," the decade digit "1" represents "Survey Course," and the unit digit "0" represents "Social Problems."

In science and other areas, a "C" or "L" after the course number is known as a lab indicator. The "C" represents a combined lecture and laboratory course that meets in the same place at the same time. The "L" represents a laboratory course or the laboratory part of a course, having the same prefix and course number without a lab indicator, which meets at a different time or place.

Transfer of any successfully completed course from one participating institution to another is guaranteed in cases where the course to be transferred is offered by the receiving institution and is identified by the same prefix and last three digits at both institutions. For example, SYG 1010 is offered at a community college. The same course is offered at a state university as SYG 2010. A student who has successfully completed SYG 1010 at the community college is guaranteed to receive transfer credit for SYG 2010 at the state university if the student transfers. The student cannot be required to take SYG 2010 again since SYG 1010 is equivalent to SYG 2010. Transfer credit must be awarded for successfully completed equivalent courses and used by the receiving institution to determine satisfaction of requirements by transfer students on the same basis as credit awarded to the native students. It is the prerogative of the receiving institution, however, to offer transfer credit for courses successfully completed which have not been designated as equivalent.

The Course Prefix

Authority for Acceptance of Equivalent Courses

"When a student transfers among postsecondary institutions that are fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and that participate in the common course deisgnation and numbering system, the receiving institution shall award credit for courses satisfactorily completed at the previous participating institutions when the courses are judged by the appropriate common course designation and numbering system faculty task forces to be academically equivalent to courses offered at the receiving institution, including equivalency of faculty credentials, regardless of the public or nonpublic control of the previous institution. The award of credit may be limited to courses that are entered in the course numbering system. Credits so awarded shall satisfy institutional requirements on the same basis as credits awarded to native students."

Exceptions to the General Rule for Equivalency

1. Courses in the _900-_999 series (e.g., ART 2905)
2. Internships, practica, clinical experiences, and study abroad courses
3. Performance or studio courses in Art, Dance, Theater, and Music
4. Skills courses in Criminal Justice
5. Graduate courses

College preparatory, vocational preparatory courses may not be used to meet degree requirements and are not transferable.

Questions about the Statewide Course Numbering System and appeals regarding course credit transfer decisions should be directed to Dr. David R. Dees in Academic Services, AD 210, Phone (407) 823-2691 or the Florida Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education Coordination, 401 Turlington Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Special reports and technical information may be requested by calling telephone number (850) 488-6402 or Suncom 278-6402.

Special Courses

In order to register for any of the special numbers below, a student must present a signed authorization form (GS-10) obtained from the Department.

These courses may be assigned variable credit. Some may be repeated upon approval.

Abbreviations in Course Descriptions

Hours Code

ECI 5215C is offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) in the Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Department, carries 3 hours of credit, but requires 5 contact hours which consist of 2 hours in class and 3 hours laboratory or field work.

College/Department Indicator

Alphabetical List of Course Prefixes

| Graduate Studies | | Home | Index | Search | News | Events | Contact UCF | Help |
Copyright © 2000 University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida (407) 823-2000
Page last updated on: Maintained by Graduate Studies