cursos

Curso is a term used in Portuguese to refer to a unit of study within an educational framework, as well as to broader programs of instruction. In education, a curso covers a defined set of topics over a fixed period and is offered by schools, colleges, or universities. Courses usually have learning objectives, a syllabus, instructional materials, activities, and assessments, and may confer credits or a credential such as a certificate, diploma, or degree. When several cursos are taken as part of a program, they compose a currículo or plano de estudos.

Etymology: from Latin cursus, meaning "course" or "path."

Types and formats: curricular courses count toward formal degrees; extension, continuing education, and professional development cursos serve ongoing training. Language courses, technical or vocational cursos, and online formats (e-learning, blended learning, MOOCs) are common. The duration and intensity vary, from short workshops to multi-semester sequences.

Access, regulation, and credentialing: many cursos require enrollment, prerequisites, or admission, while others are open-access. Higher education often uses a system of credits and formal accreditation, enabling recognition and transfer of credits between institutions. Certifications may be issued at the course level or upon completion of a program.

Other uses: besides education, curso can describe the trajectory of something, such as o curso de um rio or o curso dos acontecimentos. In everyday language, the term can also refer to a sequence of actions or a planned route.