Section 3: Course Descriptions
Course Categories
For purposes of planning programs of study, courses at WPI are divided into two categories.
Category I (Cat. I)
These courses cover core material of interest to large numbers of students. Category I courses are offered at least once a year.
Category II (Cat. II)
Category II courses are usually offered every other year.
Background
Recommended
The course will build on material in the recommended course. Instructors can assume that the student is knowledgable of the material from the recommended course or from other experiences.
Suggested
The material from this course would be helpful to the student, but it is not assumed background.
Catalog and Schedule on the WWW
The catalog and course schedule can be found on the world.
Course Numbering
Each course at WPI is designated be a two-letter prefix identifying the subject area followed by a four digit number. The first digit is coded as follows:
- Courses for which first-year students will receive priority in registration. Upper class students may register on a space-available basis.
- Basic level courses.
- Advanced level undergraduate courses for which no graduate credit is given. (This restriction may be waived at the discretion of the degree department.)
- Advanced level undergraduate courses for which graduate credit may also be given.
- Graduate courses.
The last three digits may be used by the departments to indicate subject areas. Many graduate courses are also available to undergraduates.
Course Credit
Unless otherwise indicated, WPI courses usually carry credit of 1/3 unit. This level of activity suggests at least 17 hours of work per week, including class and laboratory time. The usual workload per term is 1 unit.
Last modified: August 31, 2006 13:52:38