GENERAL RULE FOR COURSE EQUIVALENCIES
Equivalent courses at different institutions are identified by the
same prefixes and same last three digits of the course number and are
guaranteed to be transferable between the participating institutions
that offer the course, with a few exceptions (exceptions are listed
below).
For example, a survey course in social problems is offered by 31
different postsecondary institutions. Each 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"
represents "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 institution to
another is guaranteed in cases where the course to be transferred is
equivalent to one offered by the receiving institution. Equivalencies
are established by the same prefix and the last three digits and
comparable faculty credentials 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 perogative of
the receiving institution, however, to offer transfer credit for courses
successfully completed which have not been designated as equivalent.
The Course Prefix
The course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division
of an academic discipline, subject matter area, or sub-category of
knowledge. The prefix is not intended to identify the department in
which a course is offered. Rather, the content of a course determines
the assigned prefix to identify the course.
Authority for Acceptance of Equivalent Courses
State Board of Education Rule (6A-10.024(19), Florida Administrative
Code, reads:
-
"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 designation 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 Equivalence
The following courses are exceptions to the general rule for course
equivalencies and may not transfer. Transferability is at the discretion
of the receiving institution.
- Courses in the 900 - 999 series (e.g., ART 2905)
- Internships, practica, clinical experiences, and study abroad
courses
- Performance or studio courses in Art, Dance, Theatre, and Music
- Skills courses in Criminal Justice
- Graduate courses
College preparatory and 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 Ms.
Ethel Thompson at The University of West Florida, Division of Enrollment
Services, Pensacola, FL 32514; 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 (850) 488-6402 or Suncom
278-6402.
HOW TO FIND COURSES
UWF courses are listed alphabetically by prefix, and then numerically
by the four-digit course number. Numbers under each prefix range from
undergraduate-level courses (1000-4999) to specialist- and doctoral-
level courses (5000-8999).
Course Prefix
The course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division
of an academic discipline, subject matter area, or subcategory of
knowledge. The prefix is not intended to identify the department in
which a course is offered. Rather, the content of a course determines
the assigned prefix used to identify the course.
Classification of Courses
The University course numbering system is as follows:
| 1000-2999 |
Freshmen and sophomores, unless otherwise noted. |
| 3000-4999 |
Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. |
| 5000-5999 |
Open to all graduate and non degree-seeking (special)
students. Juniors and seniors may register for 5000-level courses under
certain conditions. |
| 6000-7999 |
Restricted to students enrolled in graduate programs and
other post-baccalaureate students who may be admitted at the discretion
of the department chairperson. Non degree-seeking (special) students
must have permission of the specific course instructor to register for
6000-level courses. |
| 8000-8999 |
Restricted to students enrolled in the doctoral program. |
Permission Courses
Departments may restrict enrollment in specific courses to students
in the major or other categories of students based on academic needs and
requirements. These courses are noted in the Course Planning Guide or on
UWF's home page on the World Wide Web. Students should refer to the
Registration Procedures listed in the Course Planning Guide to register
for restricted courses.
Unassigned Course Numbers (XXX and ---)
Courses listed in degree plans with XXX as the last three digits of a
course number are pending assigned course numbers within the Statewide
Common Course Numbering System. Courses that have not yet been approved
by the Faculty Senate are indicated by --- in the degree plan and will not appear in this section. Course
information must be obtained from the offering department.
Hours
Each course listing is followed by a code that indicates the credit
hours and, in parentheses, contact hours. Contact hours determine the
number of minutes a course is required to meet; the first digit
indicates the time for lecture and the second digit designates the time
for labs. For example, 1 contact hour requires a minimum of 750 minutes
of meeting time during a semester; while a 3 contact hour course
requires a minimum of 2250 minutes. Contact hours reflecting 0 in the
parentheses are determined by the instructor based on the content of the
course such as practica, internships, and theses. The following are
examples of possible combinations:
| 1(0,3) |
1 (one) credit hour is awarded for the course, but the course
will meet for a minimum of 2250 contact minutes in a lab or field study
type environment. |
| 3(1,2) |
The course is awarded three credit hours and consists of a
minimum of 750 contact minutes of lecture and a minimum of 1500 contact
minutes of lab or field study. |
| 3(0,0) |
Contact hours are determined by the instructor based on
content of the course such as practica, internships, etc. |
| 1-3(Variable) |
The professor will indicate on the registration form
the number of credit hours for this particular course. This is generally
used with directed study, internship, thesis, and practicum courses. |