Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions Introduction


UMW reserves the right to add, discontinue, cancel, or change offerings listed in this publication as authorized by the Montana University System Board of Regents.

Course Numbering

The following numbers are used to designate courses:

  000-099 College Prep (does not meet graduation requirements, grades not calculated into GPA)
  100-199 Primarily for Freshmen (considered lower-level)
  200-299 Primarily for Sophomores (considered lower-level)
  300-399 Primarily for Juniors (considered upper-level)
  400-499 Primarily for Seniors (considered upper-level)
  191/291/391/491 UMW Experimental or Temporary
  298/498 Internship/Cooperative Education
  219/419 Directed Study*
  290/490 Undergraduate Research
  292/492 Independent Study
  293/ 493 Study Tour/Study Abroad
  294/ 494 Seminar/Workshop
  495 Field Work/Clinical/Practicum/Student Teaching
  496 Service Learning
  499 Senior Project/Thesis/Capstone

Common Course Numbering (CCN)

The Montana University System is in the process of developing simple and clear procedures and policies regarding the transfer of credits among the various units of the Montana University System. To assist with this process, some new rubrics and a common course numbering system have been and are being established.

Seminar & Practicum

Any seminar or practicum must be approved by the Provost. A copy of the academic requirements for completion of the course must be filed with the Provost at the beginning of the semester.

Specialized Course Descriptions

*Directed Study (DS)

Students taking Directed Study courses (courses not listed on the current term class schedule) must complete a Directed Study contract prepared jointly by the student and the instructor of record that outlines the course objectives, the intended outcomes or product, and the method of evaluation. The proposal is then approved by the appropriate Department Chair and the Provost. Directed Study courses duplicate current Catalog courses that are not scheduled during the current term.

Undergraduate Research (UR)

Any student taking an Undergraduate Research course must sign a written statement prepared jointly by the student and the instructor of record that outlines the course objectives, the intended outcomes or product, and the method of evaluation. The proposal is then approved by the appropriate academic administrators. There are two levels of Undergraduate Research: lower-level (290) and upper-level (490). UR courses may be from 2-8 credits.

Independent Study (IS)

All students taking Independent Study courses must complete an Independent Study contract prepared jointly by the student and the instructor of record that outlines the course objectives, the intended outcomes or product, and the method of evaluation. The proposal is then approved by the appropriate academic administrator. There are two levels of Independent Study: lower-level (290/292) and upper-level (490/492). Independent Study courses cover subjects/content not found in regular Catalog course offerings. It may be possible for the substitution of an Independent Study for a regular Catalog course. If the course is to be substituted for a regular Catalog course, prior approval of an instructor who regularly teaches that course must be obtained. A limit of three (3) Independent Study courses will be applicable to graduation. Independent Study courses may be from 1-4 credits.

Co-requisite (Coreq)

A course that must be taken concurrently or in the same term/semester with the course containing the co-requisite listing.

Prerequisites (Prereq)

Requirements or conditions that must be completed prior to enrollment in a course or program, or continuation in a program. Prerequisites for admission to certain courses are indicated by abbreviations as follows:

  c/dfe Requires consent of Director of Field Experiences
  c/i Requires consent of instructor
  c/pc Requires consent of program or department chair
  c/vc Requires consent of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost
  TEP Requires admission to Teacher Education Program

Course Credit

The credits for the course are listed after the title and generally denote the number of lecture hours per week required for the course. The letter “V” indicates variable credit. An “R” indicates that the course may be repeated for credit; for example, R-3 indicates that the course may be taken a total of 4 times–the initial attempt plus three (3) repeats for credit. Equal or equivalent courses are indicated by the equal sign (=).

Timing of Course Offerings

Students should consult with their advisor to assure that courses will be offered when desired. Note in course descriptions that some courses are offered every semester, some are only offered in the fall or spring, and others are only offered every other year. Designing a 4-year plan of study with the advisor early in a student’s academic career is essential to ensure that students get courses needed to graduate.

Cultural Diversity Component

General Education courses designated with (CD) meet Montana University System components for cultural diversity (General Education  ).

Course Fees

NOTE: Additional fees may apply for some courses. For courses that have received Montana Board of Regents approval to assess a specific course fee, the course descriptions indicate that fee. Current course fee information is also available at: http://my.umwestern.edu/current/.

General Education Course Legend

Code Category Group Credits Required
Writ/Oral comm Written & Oral Communication 4
Math Mathematics 4
Behv/Soc Sci Behavioral & Social Scienc 4
Hist History 4
Exp/Art Humanities: Expressive Arts 4
Lit/Art Humanities: Literary & Artistic Studies 4
Nat Sci Natural Sciences 8
General Education Total Credits 32