Course Numbering System
The University of Iowa’s course numbering system is comprised of a Course Subject, a Course Number and a Section Number--each separated with a colon.

For more Course Numbering detail: http://registrar.uiowa.edu/course-numbering-system
COURSE SUBJECT
The Course Subject is an alphabetic acronym for the academic department or program offering the course. In our example above, POLI is the Course Subject code for the Political Science Department. Course Subjects may be two to four characters in length.
COURSE NUMBER--How to Identify Upper-Level and Lower-Level Courses
The 4-digit Course Number indicates the level of the course as follows:
Course Number | Course Level |
---|---|
1000 - 2999 | Lower-Level |
3000 - 4999 | Upper-Level |
5000 and Above | Graduate-Level (requires special permission for undergraduates) |
SECTION NUMBER
The Section Number can be numbers, letters or a combination. Online and distance course sections begin with 0EX. Workshop section numbers begin with 0WK.
Delivery Mode
The Delivery Mode describes the way an online and/or distance course is offered. You can search MyUI/Courses by Delivery Modes. Examples of MyUI/Courses listings for each mode appear below.
WEB/ONLINE
- Instructor-paced, synchronous format
- May or may not include virtual meetings
With Virtual Classroom
- Specific time(s) you need to be logged in to course
- WWW/Plus Meeting listed under course title
- Times (Central Time) and day(s) of the week for virtual meetings specified
No Meetings
- Arranged Time/Word Wide Web listed under course title
OFF-CAMPUS / FACE TO FACE
- Requires participation at physical location indicated
- May or may not utilize additional delivery modes
WORKSHOPS
- Three weeks or less in length
- Typically targeted to specific audience
- May be conducted online, at a physical location or a combination
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY / SELF-PACED ONLINE INSTRUCTION
- NO LONGER AVAILABLE AFTER SUMMER 2017
- Self-paced, asynchronous format
- No virtual meetings
- Syllabus provides recommended submission deadlines
- Conditional two-semester completion option