Key to Class Schedule

CRN (Course Reference Number): A unique five-digit number by which courses are identified.

Subject: Indicates the department or academic unit offering the course.

Course number: 

  • 0-99 are not applicable toward degree requirements.
  • 100-299 are lower-division, generally introductory classes in a subject.
  • 300-399 are upper-division, generally intermediate level in a subject, many have pre-requisites, not recommended for first-year students without background in the subject.
  • 400-499 are upper division, generally advanced level in a subject, likely to have pre-requisites, and must have sophomore, junior, senior, or higher level standing to register.
  • 500-599 are graduate master-level courses, must have senior, postbac, or graduate-level standing.
  • 600-699 are graduate doctoral-level courses.
  • 700-799 are postbaccalaureate courses that may not be applied toward a degree.
  • 800-899 are in-service courses with limited application toward advanced degrees and no application toward undergraduate degrees.

Course number suffix: a letter after the course number, like BA 101Z.

  • L: lab, often co-requisite to a lecture course.
  • R: recitation, often co-requisite to a lecture course.
  • U: an upper-division cluster course.
  • Z: common course numbering - courses with a unified number, description, and learning outcomes across Oregon's public universities and community colleges.

Section: Section numbers distinguish multiple classes of the same course number.

Course title: Course titles are listed as they appear on Portland State transcripts. Common abbreviations are listed below.

Course Delivery Method: Courses will have one of five delivery methods, describing the ‘time and place’ of the course.

  • In Person: In-person instruction with scheduled class sessions.
  • Hybrid: Reduced number of in-person class sessions with additional online, remote, or other self-directed activities.
  • Online - Scheduled Meetings*: Online courses that include required meeting times.
  • Online - No Scheduled Meetings*: Online courses that do not have required meeting times.

*An additional online course fee of $22 per credit is assessed for online courses.

Grading option: A-F only, P/NP only, or optional allows either A-F or P/NP grading.

Restrictions: Class restrictions are listed in Class Details and can include restrictions by class, student level, major, or special program membership

Credits: The number indicates quarter credits. Courses offered for zero (0) credit may be laboratory, mentored sections, or similarly designated courses.

Meeting Times: All times posted are Pacific Standard Time (PST). 

Common Abbreviations used in Course Titles

CAP - Capstone course
CEL - Community-Engaged Learning   
COLL - Colloquium    
COOP ED - Cooperative Education    
INTRNSHP - Internship    
INQ - Inquiry    
IS - Independent Study    
ISS - Issues    
PERSPECT - Perspectives    
PH ED - Physical Education    
PRAC - Practicum
PROB - Problems
PROJ - Project
R & C - Reading & Conference
RES - Research
SEM - Seminar
TOP - Topic
WIC - Writing Intensive Course
WKSP - Workshop