• 5.4.0 Courses
• Course Numbering System
• Course Hours
• Course Credits
• General Usage Courses
  
 

The Master Course File is maintained by the Academic Services and Research Division of the VCCS.

5.4.0 Courses page top

The Master Course File includes the following information for each course:

1. Course prefix and number;
2. Course title;
3. Course credits;
4. Course prerequisites and co-requisites;
5. Course description; and
6. Course lecture, laboratory, and total contact hours per week.

VHCC must use the course information (prefix, number, title, credits, prerequisites and co-requisites, description, and number of hours) as listed in the Master Course File. The College may set additional prerequisites.

5.4.0.0 Course Numbering System

A uniform course numbering system is maintained by the Academic Services and Research Division of the VCCS for all courses approved or the VCCS. The following system is used:

• 1-9 Developmental courses. Credits earned in these courses are not applicable toward associate degree programs; however, upon approval by the Chief Academic Officer, some developmental courses may provide credit appropriate for diploma or certificate programs.
• 10-99 Basic non-degree courses for diplomas and certificate programs. Credits earned in these courses are applicable toward diploma and certificate programs, but will not be applicable toward an associate degree. ESL courses may also be numbered 10-99.
• 100-199 Freshman-level courses applicable toward associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs.
• 200-299 Sophomore-level courses applicable toward associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

5.4.0.1 Course Hours

The teaching and application of theoretical concepts in lectures, seminars, discussions, and other similar activities are identified as "Lecture," and the application of principles through practical training in laboratories, clinical training, supervised work experiences and other similar classes is identified as "Laboratory."

The number of lecture hours in class each week (including lecture, seminar, discussion, and other similar activities) and/or the number of laboratory, supervised study, coordinated internship, and other similar activities are indicated for each course in the course description. The numbers of lecture and laboratory hours in class each week are called "contact" hours.

Distance learning courses include the same content and deliver the same student outcomes as do the same courses taught in the classroom. Although contact hours for distance learning courses may not refer to seat time, they do still indicate the amount of course time devoted to lecture and laboratory instruction.

5.4.0.2 Course Credits page top

The credit for each course is indicated after the title in the course description. One credit is equivalent to one collegiate semester-hour credit.

Each semester hour of credit given for a course is based on the "academic hour," which is 50 minutes of formalized, structured instructional time in a particular course weekly for fifteen weeks as stated in Section 5.3.0.2 of the VCCS Policy Manual. This is a total of 750 minutes of instruction. In addition to this instructional time, there is a minimum of one hour of scheduled evaluation or examination for each semester hour of credit generated by the course, not to exceed three academic hours (150 minutes).

Credits are assigned to activities as listed below:

Lecture: One academic hour of lecture (including lecture, seminar, discussion, or other similar activities) per week, generally for 15 weeks, plus the evaluation or examination period, equals one collegiate semester-hour credit.

Laboratory: – Two to five academic hours, depending on the discipline, of laboratory, clinical training, supervised work experience, coordinated internship, or other similar activities per week, generally for 15 weeks, plus the evaluation or examination period, equals one collegiate semester-hour credit.

Asynchronous Distance Learning Courses: In the case of asynchronous distance learning course offerings or hybrid courses that employ a mix of traditional contact hours and learning activities with students and faculty separated by time and place, colleges must demonstrate through faculty peer review that content and competency coverage and student outcomes are equivalent to those of traditional sections of the same class. In the event the only section of the course being taught in the VCCS is an asynchronous or hybrid course, faculty peer review will be employed to confirm that content and competency coverage and student outcomes are appropriate for the course credits awarded.

General Usage Courses: Variable academic hours from one to five credits for general usage courses.

Variable Credits: A college may request that a course vary from the existing credit value, but by no more than one credit. Existing variable credit ranges may not be extended. Credit variability will not be approved for purposes of deleting laboratory hours or of making laboratory hours optional. General usage courses and courses numbered 1-99 are exempt from this policy.

5.4.0.3 General Usage Courses page top

General usage courses apply to multiple curricula and to all disciplines. The College Catalog includes course information (number, title, credits and description) for general usage courses as listed in the VCCS Master Course File. More specific titles, credits and course descriptions may be substituted in published class schedules to clarify topics and content covered in a given semester.

General usage courses may be repeated for credit, and may include lecture, laboratory, out-of-class study, or a combination thereof. General usage courses include the following:

90, 190, 290 Coordinated Internship (discipline) (1-5 Cr.)
Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the college. Credit/practice ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours per week.

93, 193, 293 Studies In (discipline) (1-5 Cr.)
Covers new content not covered in existing courses in the discipline. Allows instructor to explore content and instructional methods to assess the course's viability as a permanent offering. A “Studies in” course is intended as an experimental course to test its viability as a permanent offering. Each offering of the course must be approved by the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services or designee. An experimental course may be offered twice, after which the course must be approved under the appropriate discipline according to VCCS processes for adding new courses to the Master Course File. Variable hours per week.

95, 195, 295 Topics In (discipline) (1-5 Cr.)
Provides an opportunity to explore topic areas of an evolving nature or of short-term importance in the discipline. Variable hours per week. A “Topics in” course is intended to cover topics of an evolving nature or of short-term importance in the discipline. The course shall be approved by the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services or designee for a period up to two years. The Vice President of Instruction and Student Services or designee may approve an extension of another two-year period, after which the course must be approved under the appropriate discipline according to VCCS processes for adding new courses to the
Master Course File.

96, 196, 296 On-Site Training (discipline) (1-5 Cr.)
Offers opportunities for career orientation and training without pay in selected businesses and industry. Supervised and coordinated by the college. Credit/work ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. Variable hours per week.

97, 197, 297 Cooperative Education In (discipline)(1-5 Cr.)
Provides on-the-job training for pay in approved business, industrial and service firms. Applies to all career-technical curricula at the discretion of the college. Credit/work ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. Variable hours per week.

98, 198, 298 Seminar and Project In (discipline) (1-5 Cr.)
Requires completion of a project or research report related to the student's occupational objective and a study of approaches to the selection and pursuit of career opportunities in the field. Variable hours per week.

99, 199, 299 Supervised Study In (discipline) (1-5 Cr.)
Assigns problems for independent study outside the normal classroom setting under the guidance and direction of an instructor. Incorporates prior experience and instruction in the discipline. Variable hours per week.

Exceptions to the credit limit may be granted by the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. page top