When a Course Revision is No Longer a Revision But a New Course

A substantial revision to a course may result in a scenario in which the newly revised course is no longer equivalent to the course, as it previously existed. in this case, the current course should be inactivated, and a new course established.

The following changes represent a few examples of substantial revisions that may affect equivalency:

• Addition or removal of a laboratory or studio component of a course
• Substantial revisions to course content, description and/or title
• Addition or removal of content and associated contact hours

Substantial revisions of this nature require consideration of course repeat and applicability. For example, if a course is 5 credit hours and combined lecture/laboratory, and it is revised to be a 4 credit hours lecture, a student could repeat the course and recalculate their grade without again completing the laboratory portion and associated content. The student would also lose one credit hour toward graduation. Additionally, students who successfully complete either the newly revised version or the previous, existing version of the course will be able to satisfy any requirement of the course in a previous or current catalog year.

Contact Curriculum Services for any questions related to course revisions and equivalency. Curriculum Services may, after reviewing a proposal, consult with the originator to discuss establishing a new course rather than moving forward with a revision if the extent of the proposed revisions raises concerns such as these.

If a course is split into two courses (e.g., a lecture/lab course split into separate lecture and lab courses) or vice versa, do not reuse the course number; instead the two courses should be considered new, with new numbers.