Course Numbering System

Courses at UW-Stout are identified by subject followed by three digits: ABCD - X X X.

The subject is associated with the department in which the course is housed. Departments may be responsible for more than one subject area. See approved curricular subject areas and abbreviations.

The three-digit course number indicates the academic level of the course according to the following schedule:

  • 0xx     Non-credit courses
  • 1xx     Primarily freshman level courses
  • 2xx     Primarily sophomore level courses
  • 3xx     Primarily junior level courses
  • 4xx     Primarily senior level courses
  • 5xx     Graduate level with corresponding undergraduate coursework at the 300 level. The course has special objectives for graduate students.
  • 6xx     Graduate level with corresponding undergraduate coursework at the 400 level. The course has special objectives for graduate students.
  • 7xx     Graduate level for graduate credit only
  • 8xx     Advanced graduate level
  • 9xx     Advanced graduate level primarily intended for courses beyond the masters degree program level.


When a course is required in a degree program, the level should be determined on the basis of when the student is expected to take the course in the program. In cases in which the same course is required in more than one degree program, the department should determine the number in cooperation with the program directors of the programs involved.

If a course is not required in a degree program, the level may be determined on the basis of when students normally take the course--based on experience, level of the course relative to other courses, and expectation of students and faculty as to the degree of rigor or advanced level implied in the number.

Care should be exercised in assigning level to be sure that the level is appropriate relative to any prerequisites required, and also to any other course for which the course in question is itself a prerequisite.

Graduate level courses at the 7xx level or higher may be established only for graduate degree programs approved for UW-Stout.

The last two digits of the course number are assigned by the department in which the course is housed according to whatever system or rationale the department determines with the following exceptions:

CAHSS, CEHHS, CSTEM, COM, TRDIS  are interdepartmental and transdisciplinary


Reserved Numbers

  • x49     Cooperative Education
  • x77     International Studies
  • x96     One- or two-time offerings
  • x97     Elective field experience
  • x98     Required field experience
  • x99     Independent Study
  • 735     Problems (Plan B)
  • 770     Thesis (Plan A)
  • 795, 895     Graduate Field Study


Under certain approved circumstances a course may carry a letter suffix. These identifying letters are assigned by the Provost's Office at the time of insertion into curriculum record.