Course Descriptions

Explanation of Course Description

Hours of Lecture and/or Lab per Week

The number of hours per week that a student spends in class, (lecture time, lab time, or both). Class hours are the last two numbers that appear with the course title in the course description section of this catalog. The first of these two numbers is lecture hours, the second is lab hours. The actual time of day a course will be offered is shown in the class schedule.

Program Classification System (PCS) Code

A number which appears at the end of every course description in the catalog and which designates the program category in which the state of Illinois has approved the course. This is indicated on each course as:

(1.1) – Transfer course

(1.2) – Career & Technical Education – not intended for transfer; however, some courses may transfer.

(1.4), (1.5), (1.6), (1.7), (1.8) – Developmental or general studies credit – not intended for transfer and not applicable to any degree.

Course Description

A brief explanation of the content of a course. For more detailed information a Course Outline is also available for classes in this catalog upon request through the Advising Center. A specific plan/syllabus for each course may also be available upon request from the office of the appropriate instructional dean.

Course Number

A three-digit number which follows the course prefix. Course numbers between 100 and 199 are generally considered freshman level. Courses numbered between 200 and 299 are generally considered sophomore level. Courses numbered below 100 are remedial or developmental and cannot be used to fulfill graduation requirements for any associate degree and are not transferable to four-year schools.

Course Prefix

A three-letter code which identifies the department in which a course is taught, e.g., ENG English, WEL welding, CDN communication design.

Course Title

The official name of a course.

Semester Hours of Credit

A standardized unit of academic measurement assigned to every course offered by the college. Credit hours are shown immediately after the course title. ECC credit hours are semester hours. Other colleges may use quarter hours or units. Contact the ECC Records Office for credit hour conversion.

Pass/No Credit

Students may choose to take some designated credit courses as pass/no credit. This is indicated under each course with either “Available” or “Not Available.”

Students who opt for pass/no credit registration earn credit for the course if they complete it with a C or better. If not, they receive no credit. Either way, pass/no credit carries no grade value and does not affect a student’s grade point average or their academic standing. Registration for pass/no credit classes must be made in person only at the time of registration or up to 10 days after at the Registration Office.

Prerequisite

A course requirement which must be met prior to enrollment. Students not meeting prerequisites may be dropped from class by the college.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Code

The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide transfer agreement, which is transferable among more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois. IAI works best for students who know they are going to transfer but are undecided on the college or university that will grant their baccalaureate degree.

All colleges and universities participating in IAI agree to accept an IAI General Education course in lieu of their own comparable lower-division general education requirements. This does not guarantee any specific course-to-course transfer credit. Please be sure to consult an academic advisor to ensure transferability.

These courses are noted with “IAI General Education” followed by the specific code.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) Major Code

IAI major recommendations for the first two years of college in several popular majors. IAI major recommendations work best for students who have chosen their majors, are going to eventually transfer, but are undecided on the college or university that will grant their baccalaureate degree. Please be sure to consult an academic advisor to ensure transferability.

These courses are noted with “IAI Major” followed by the specific code.

In-District Tuition/Fees

Course costs are calculated using in-district tuition and include course, lab, and/or instructional fees. This cost does not include books, supplies, and/or other materials that might be needed for a course.

Semester(s) Offered

The semester(s) in which a course is generally offered to assist in planning transfer, degree, and certificate completion. Every effort is made to offer and run these courses as noted, however, the instructional dean of the respective subject may decide to cancel a class at their discretion.

Proficiency Credit

Proficiency Credit is academic credit awarded to a student after the student has demonstrated, through pre-determined methods by the department that they have attained specific skills comparable to those being achieved through formal instruction provided by the college for that course. This is indicated under each course as:

Not Available–No one is eligible (proficiency credit is not acceptable for the course).

2–Some are eligible depending on qualifications.

3–All are eligible to sit for the exam.

Criteria:

Grading Criteria
Code	Description
C	Standardized test (e.g., CLEP, AP, IB)
E	Evaluation of documented work experience, training, life experience
F	Portfolio review
H	Successful completion of a higher level course
I	Faculty interview
L	Successful completion of a lower level course or prerequisites where they apply
M	Must be accepted into the program (e.g., nursing), or a declared major (e.g., human services)
R	Recommended by faculty or by others deemed appropriate by faculty
S	Skill test/performance review
T	Written test constructed by faculty
Z	Other - student should contact appropriate dean for details