Courses

Courses are organized units of instruction that form the building blocks of educational programs. A course typically has a title, catalog description, learning outcomes, prerequisites, schedules, and assessment methods. They are offered at various levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional, and may be part of degree programs, certificates, or non-degree continuing education. Courses can be delivered in person, online, or in a hybrid format, and often alternate lectures, labs, discussions, and assignments. Meeting hours usually correspond to credit hours or contact hours, depending on the system.

Course design emphasizes objectives, instructional activities, and assessment of achievement. Learning outcomes guide instruction and evaluation. Assessments can include examinations, essays, projects, presentations, and participation. Syllabi outline requirements, grading policies, required readings, and schedule. Prerequisites ensure readiness for more advanced material. Formats vary from lectures that convey content to large groups, to seminars emphasizing discussion, to laboratories providing hands-on work, to studios combining practice with critique. Online courses may use modules, multimedia content, forums, and asynchronous or synchronous activities. In professional contexts, courses may be offered as short workshops or non-credit training.

Quality assurance is typically maintained through institutional accreditation, program-level accreditation, and course evaluations. Digital platforms and learning management systems host course materials, enable submission of work, and track progress. MOOCs and open courses extend access beyond traditional institutions, with varying levels of assessment and certification. Courses interact with broader academic structures, serving as gateways to degrees, specializations, and lifelong learning, while emphasizing accessibility and inclusivity to accommodate diverse learners.