Course (education)
Encyclopedia
The very broad dictionary meaning of the word course is the act or action of moving in a path from point to point . There are multiple meanings for this word, some of which include: general line of orientation, a mode of action, part of a meal, a mode of action, and many more. This article focuses on the educational definition of course. Many times people confuse the two versions of course and coarse. The version spelt “coarse” usually refers to the texture of something. This article will focus on the version spelt “course.” Please search the other definitions of the word course individually if you wish to explore them more.
The origin of the word is from 1250–1300; Middle English co ( u ) rs (noun) < Anglo-French co ( u ) rs ( e ), Old French cours < Latin cursus a running, course, equivalent to cur ( rere ) to run + -sus, variant of -tus suffix of v. action.
In U.S. and Canadian education
, a course is a unit of teaching that typically lasts one academic term
, is led by one or more instructors (teacher
s or professor
s), has a fixed roster of student
s, and gives each student a grade
and academic credit
.
In the United Kingdom
and Australia
, however, the term "course" refers to the entire program of studies required to complete a university
degree, and the word "unit" would be used to refer to an academic course in the North American sense. In between the two, in South Africa
, it is common for the word 'course' officially to refer to the collection of all courses (in the American sense, which are often called 'modules') over a year or semester, though the American usage is common parlance.
Above there was an example of what a typical course is. Some more specific examples of courses will be provided below. Courses in American universities are usually on a time restraint. Some courses are three weeks long, one semester long, an academic year long, and on some occasions three semesters long. A course is usually specific to the students major and is instructed by a professor. For example, if a person is taking an Organic Chemistry course, then the professor would teach the students Organic Chemistry and how it applies to their life and or major. Courses can also be referred to as “electives.” An elective is usually not a required course, but there are a certain number of non-specific electives that are required for certain majors. For more information about the correlation between courses and electives, please see electives page below.
Elective is a term used for an academic course chosen by the student from a set of options, as opposed to a required course. While required courses (sometimes called core courses) are deemed essential for an academic degree, elective courses tend to be more specialized. Elective courses usually have fewer students than the required core courses.
The term elective is also used for a period of medical
study conducted away from the student's home medical school
, often abroad. Motivations for choosing such a program include a wish to experience other cultures, and to learn how to work in the clinical situations in other countries.
Typically, North American universities require students to achieve both breadth of knowledge across disciplines and depth of knowledge in a particular chosen subject area, known as a major. Thus, students of the arts or humanities are required to take some science courses, and vice-versa. Normally, the students are free to choose their particular electives from among a wide range of courses offered by their university, as long as the students possess the prerequisite knowledge to understand the subject matter being taught. An English major, for example, might also study one or two years of chemistry, biology or physics as well as mathematics and a foreign language.
Elective courses are also offered in the third and fourth years of university, though the choice is more restrictive and will depend upon the particular major the student has chosen. For example, at the University of British Columbia
, students intending to specialize in Sanskrit
as part of a major in Asian language and culture will usually have to complete several Sanskrit and Hindi-Urdu or Punjabi
courses during the first two years of university, as well as additional courses in Indic languages in the third and fourth years of study. In addition to these core courses, however, students would choose among several third- and fourth-year elective courses on topics not directly related to India, such as the history and culture of China
, Japan
or Indonesia
. elective is an adjective
word pertaining to the principle of electing to an office, position, etc. chosen by election, as an official. bestowed by or right of election, as a body of persons. open to choice; optional; not required: an elective subject in college; elective surgery. chemistry . selecting for combination or action; tending to combine with certain substances in preference to others: elective attraction. noun an optional study; a course that a student may select from among alternatives.
The origin of the word is from 1250–1300; Middle English co ( u ) rs (noun) < Anglo-French co ( u ) rs ( e ), Old French cours < Latin cursus a running, course, equivalent to cur ( rere ) to run + -sus, variant of -tus suffix of v. action.
In U.S. and Canadian education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, a course is a unit of teaching that typically lasts one academic term
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
, is led by one or more instructors (teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s or professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
s), has a fixed roster of student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
s, and gives each student a grade
Grade (education)
Grades are standardized measurements of varying levels of comprehension within a subject area. Grades can be assigned in letters , as a range , as a number out of a possible total , as descriptors , in percentages, or, as is common in some post-secondary...
and academic credit
Credit (education)
A course credit is a unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course taken at a school or other educational institution.- United States :...
.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, however, the term "course" refers to the entire program of studies required to complete a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
degree, and the word "unit" would be used to refer to an academic course in the North American sense. In between the two, in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, it is common for the word 'course' officially to refer to the collection of all courses (in the American sense, which are often called 'modules') over a year or semester, though the American usage is common parlance.
Above there was an example of what a typical course is. Some more specific examples of courses will be provided below. Courses in American universities are usually on a time restraint. Some courses are three weeks long, one semester long, an academic year long, and on some occasions three semesters long. A course is usually specific to the students major and is instructed by a professor. For example, if a person is taking an Organic Chemistry course, then the professor would teach the students Organic Chemistry and how it applies to their life and or major. Courses can also be referred to as “electives.” An elective is usually not a required course, but there are a certain number of non-specific electives that are required for certain majors. For more information about the correlation between courses and electives, please see electives page below.
Required and elective courses
Elective, used as an adjective, means that it is optional and chosen by election. An elective, a noun, chosen by a student means that it is an optional subject or course in a curriculum.Elective is a term used for an academic course chosen by the student from a set of options, as opposed to a required course. While required courses (sometimes called core courses) are deemed essential for an academic degree, elective courses tend to be more specialized. Elective courses usually have fewer students than the required core courses.
The term elective is also used for a period of medical
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
study conducted away from the student's home medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
, often abroad. Motivations for choosing such a program include a wish to experience other cultures, and to learn how to work in the clinical situations in other countries.
Typically, North American universities require students to achieve both breadth of knowledge across disciplines and depth of knowledge in a particular chosen subject area, known as a major. Thus, students of the arts or humanities are required to take some science courses, and vice-versa. Normally, the students are free to choose their particular electives from among a wide range of courses offered by their university, as long as the students possess the prerequisite knowledge to understand the subject matter being taught. An English major, for example, might also study one or two years of chemistry, biology or physics as well as mathematics and a foreign language.
Elective courses are also offered in the third and fourth years of university, though the choice is more restrictive and will depend upon the particular major the student has chosen. For example, at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
, students intending to specialize in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
as part of a major in Asian language and culture will usually have to complete several Sanskrit and Hindi-Urdu or Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
courses during the first two years of university, as well as additional courses in Indic languages in the third and fourth years of study. In addition to these core courses, however, students would choose among several third- and fourth-year elective courses on topics not directly related to India, such as the history and culture of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
or Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. elective is an adjective
word pertaining to the principle of electing to an office, position, etc. chosen by election, as an official. bestowed by or right of election, as a body of persons. open to choice; optional; not required: an elective subject in college; elective surgery. chemistry . selecting for combination or action; tending to combine with certain substances in preference to others: elective attraction. noun an optional study; a course that a student may select from among alternatives.