Course Numbering System

Courses are generally numbered according to the plan shown here:

Course Number	Course Type
0001-0099	Non-degree credit
1000-1999	First-year courses
2000-2999	Second-year courses
3000-3999	Third-year courses
4000-4999	Fourth-year courses Certain fourth-year courses can be used in graduate programs.
5000-5999	Graduate-level courses
8000-8999	Continuing Education Units (CEU)

Special Course Numbers and Identifiers

Courses typically identified by a special character or set of numbers:

Character or Number	Course Type
S	Special/Summer Session courses offered through Extended Education for academic credit
2200	Special Problems for Undergraduates
2270, 2271	Selected Topics (2270) and Laboratories (2271) are offered for one or two semesters and are not intended for future offerings as a regular course.
4400	Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates
446x, 447x	Senior Project
4470, 4471	Selected Advanced Topics (4470) and Laboratories (4471) are offered for one or two semesters and are not intended for future offerings as a regular course.
5570, 5571	Selected Advanced Topics (5570) and Laboratories (5571) are graduate-level topics offered for one or two semesters and are not intended for future offerings as a regular course.
4485, 5585	Cooperative Education (part-time)
4495, 5595	Cooperative Education (full-time)
5500	Individual Study for Graduates
5597	Master's Comprehensive Examination
5598	Master's Project (Culminating Experience)
5599	Master's Thesis

Office of the Registrar Guidance

WHEN TO EDIT A COURSE VS SUBMITTING A NEW COURSE PROPOSAL

As departments begin to submit course proposals for Semester Conversion, departments are encouraged to utilize the EDIT PROPOSAL functionality as much as possible. Most proposals moving to semester can use the edit form as it now includes the ability to add/edit Course Learning Objectives (CLOs) as well as the Expanded Course Content. An edit proposal should be submitted for courses that are being converted, for courses where you are adding or updating CLOs, combining classes (assuming you do not want to allow students who have taken one of the two courses while on the quarter system to enroll and receive credit for the new class in the semester system), or you are planning to renumber your courses (i.e., upper-division to lower-division, lower-division to upper division, 1000 to 2000, etc.).

A new course proposal should be submitted when the course content is completely new (never offered) or when combining classes and the course content has changed enough that a student who took a quarter version of the course would be allowed to complete the semester version of the course. 

The Office of the Registrar is here to help if there are questions at catalog@calpoly.edu.

SIGNIFICANTLY REVISED VS CONVERTED COURSES

Remember that workflow for courses is determined by whether the course is a significantly revised course or a converted course. The biggest difference is whether ASCC will be a stop for review of your course. If your course is converted and CLOs are not on file, then it will be sent to ASCC for review.

200, 400, 470/471, 500, 570/571 TYPE COURSES

Special Problems and Selected/Advanced Selected Topic type courses will not be required to complete the Course Learning Objectives (CLOs) or the Expanded Course Content sections of those courses. Typically, these courses are vetted through departments and colleges and have topic specific CLOs and Weekly Outlines. However, it is the departments/colleges responsibility to submit an edit course proposal that updates the course number and units for semester conversion alignment.

NEW PREFIX

Each academic discipline shall be assigned a prefix (subject area) abbreviation used to identify courses related to that discipline. Abbreviations shall be two to four characters. If new prefixes are being requested as part of semester conversion, please contact catalog@calpoly.edu for additional information. 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

The Office of the Registrar is working to input the draft plans that were submitted by the January 27, 2023, and will open Program Management for editing to colleges/departments no later than March 1, 2023.

COURSE AND PROGRAM CONSULTATION MEMOS

Consultation memos for the purposes of Semester Conversion should be taken care of by the system* and will not be needed for converted or significantly revised courses. 

*The screenshot above is taken from a course proposal. This section references the programs and the system will automatically notify the home department with an email that a change was made to that course. The department then can choose to reach out to the proposer with any issues or concerns.

It is highly advised that if changes were made to units outside of converting (i.e., 4 quarter units to 3 semester units) or courses were combined that the proposer ensure all colleges/departments that utilize your course(s) are aware of those changes and possible impacts to their program(s) curricula.

The instances where Consultation Memos will be needed will be the following:

• when a new course (not converted or significantly revised) uses prerequisites from another department
• when a new course (not converted or significantly revised) duplicates some content from another department’s courses
• when a new course (not converted or significantly revised) is being added to a program (major, minor, concentration, specialization, etc.)

Questions concerning the above items or Cal Poly Catalog related matters may be directed to catalog@calpoly.edu.