Appendix A: Course Code Prefixes and Numbering Guide
Overview
This appendix lists the approved course code prefixes and numbering rules used by Oakridge College.
Faculty should use this guide when creating, updating, or registering courses. If a course does not clearly fit one of these prefixes, the faculty member should ask the Department Chair before creating a new one.
Course Code Format
Course codes use two to four capital letters followed by a 3-digit number.
Examples:
- HIS-101
- ARCH-101
- PSY-302
- CFR-210
The letters show the subject area.
The number shows the course level.
Course Numbering Guide
100–199: Introductory
Introductory courses are entry-level courses.
These courses are usually appropriate for first-year students or students who are new to the subject.
Examples:
- HIS-101
- PSY-101
- BIO-101
200–299: Intermediate
Intermediate courses assume some basic knowledge or prior coursework.
These courses are appropriate for students with some experience in the subject.
Examples:
- BIO-201
- LAW-210
- CFR-220
300–399: Advanced
Advanced courses are upper-level courses.
These courses may have more specialized content, stronger expectations, or deeper academic work.
Examples:
- SOC-302
- EDU-315
- SCI-300
400–499: Senior or Capstone
Senior or capstone courses are high-level courses.
These courses may include seminars, practicums, independent projects, senior work, or capstone requirements.
Examples:
- ART-401
- ENV-420
Approved Course Code Prefixes
General and Administrative Subjects
- ACC: Accounting
- ADM: Administration
- BUS: Business
- COM: Communication
- FIN: Finance
- HUM: Humanities
- SCI: General Science
- TECH: Technical Studies
Arts and Humanities
- ARCH: Architecture
- ART: Art
- ARTH: Art History
- DAN: Dance
- ENG: English
- HIS: History
- LIT: Literature
- MUS: Music
- PHIL: Philosophy
- REL: Religious Studies
- SPAN: Spanish
- SPCH: Speech or Public Speaking
- STG: Stagecraft
- THR: Theatre
- WRIT: Writing
Natural Sciences
- BIO: Biology
- CHEM: Chemistry
- ENV: Environmental Studies
- FOR: Forestry
- GEO: Geology or Geography
- MATH: Mathematics
- PHYS: Physics
Professional Studies
- CJ: Criminal Justice
- CUL: Culinary Arts
- EDU: Education
- FILM: Film or Camera Production
- HLT: Health
- HSCI: Health Sciences
- IT: Information Technology
- LAW: Law or Legal Studies
- MED: Medicine
- NUR: Nursing Preparation
- PEDU: Physical Education
Social Sciences
- ANTH: Anthropology
- CIV: Civic Studies
- CFR: Conflict Resolution
- ECO: Economics
- GOV: Government
- POL: Political Science
- PSY: Psychology
- PUBH: Public Health
- SOC: Sociology
Department-Based Examples
Arts and Humanities
- ART-101: Introduction to Studio Art
- ARTH-201: Survey of Art History
- LIT-101: Introduction to Literature
- WRIT-102: Academic Writing
- HIS-210: Briarmont Local History
- THR-101: Introduction to Theatre
- MUS-120: Music and Performance Foundations
- STG-210: Stagecraft and Production
Natural Sciences
- BIO-101: Introduction to Biology
- ENV-101: Environmental Science
- FOR-201: Forestry and Land Stewardship
- GEO-220: Geology of Coastal Landscapes
- PHYS-101: Introduction to Physics
- CHEM-101: General Chemistry
- SCI-300: Scientific Research Methods
Professional Studies
- EDU-101: Foundations of Education
- CUL-110: Culinary Foundations
- ADM-120: Office Administration
- IT-130: Applied IT Support
- HSCI-101: Introduction to Health Sciences
- NUR-201: Nursing Preparation Foundations
- LAW-101: Introduction to Legal Studies
- CJ-210: Criminal Justice Systems
Social Sciences
- PSY-101: Introduction to Psychology
- SOC-101: Introduction to Sociology
- ANTH-101: Introduction to Anthropology
- POL-101: Introduction to Political Science
- ECO-101: Principles of Economics
- CIV-210: Civic Life and Public Institutions
- CFR-220: Conflict Resolution
- PUBH-240: Community Health and Society
Numbering Examples
- HIS-101 means an introductory History course.
- PSY-101 means an introductory Psychology course.
- BIO-201 means an intermediate Biology course.
- LAW-210 means an intermediate Legal Studies course.
- SOC-302 means an advanced Sociology course.
- EDU-315 means an advanced Education course.
- ART-401 means a senior-level Art course.
- ENV-420 means an Environmental Studies capstone or senior project.
Using the Correct Prefix
Faculty should choose the prefix that best matches the main subject of the course.
Examples:
- A course mainly about literature should use LIT.
- A course mainly about writing should use WRIT.
- A course mainly about history should use HIS.
- A course mainly about psychology should use PSY.
- A course mainly about law or legal systems should use LAW.
- A course mainly about criminal justice should use CJ.
- A course mainly about environmental science should use ENV.
- A course mainly about forestry or land stewardship should use FOR.
If a course crosses more than one subject, the Department Chair should decide which prefix is most appropriate.
Creating a New Prefix
New prefixes should not be created casually.
A new prefix may be appropriate when:
- The subject does not fit an existing prefix.
- The subject is expected to have more than one course.
- The department needs the prefix for clear course organization.
- The Dean or Department Chair approves the change.
A new prefix should be short, clear, and easy for students to understand.
General Rule
Course codes should be clear, consistent, and easy to read.
A student should be able to look at a course code and understand the subject area and general course level.