Course Descriptions

Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS)

In the past, transferring credits from one college to another meant trying to match comparable courses. Since every college had its own scheme for abbreviating its courses, this process was often complicated and time consuming for both students and advisors. In the common course numbering system, participating institutions have signed agreements accepting a standard numbering system for commonly transferred academic courses. This system ensures that if the student takes the courses the receiving institution designates as common, then the courses will be accepted in transfer and be treated as if they had actually been taken on the receiving institution’s campus.

The common course number has a standardized four-letter prefix followed by a four-digit number. The four-letter prefix identifies the subject area. For example, ENGL is the common prefix for English courses, while COSC is the common prefix for computer science courses. The four-digit number following the prefix identifies specific courses within the subject area.

Each digit in the four-digit sequence gives additional information about the course. The first digit identifies the course as either freshman level (e.g., HIST 1301) or sophomore level (e.g., PSYC 2301). The second digit identifies the number of credit hours students earn upon completing the course. Most often this digit will be a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. For example with ENGL 1301, the student would meet three lecture hours a week and earn three credit hours after successfully completing the course. Most laboratory classes (e.g., BIOL 1406 e.g.) would meet for three lecture hours per week and three lab hours per week, earning four credit hours. The final two digits serve to establish the sequence in which courses are generally taken. Thus, FREN 1411 - Beginning French I is taken before FREN 1412 - Beginning French II. Courses beginning in “0”, such as MATH 0310, are developmental and do not count toward degrees. For more information, see the TCCNS web site at: www.tccns.org/.

Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM)

The Lower-Division Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) is the official list of courses approved for general academic transfer that may be offered by public community and technical colleges in Texas for state funding.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rule 5.372 requires that each institution of higher education shall identify in its undergraduate catalog each lower division course that is substantially equivalent to an academic course listed in the web-based inventory of the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM). In this catalog, ACGM courses are identified with a plus sign (+), and core curriculum courses are in red lettering and denoted with an asterisk (*).

For more information, see the ACGM web site at: www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/UndergraduateEd/WorkforceEd/acgm.htm.

Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM)

The Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) is a web-based inventory of current workforce education courses available for use by public two-year colleges. This web-based inventory allows for searching the WECM using a variety of criteria. For more information, see the WECM web site at: www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/UndergraduateEd/WorkforceEd/wecm/. In this catalog, WECM courses are identified with a pound/number sign (#).

Courses

Helpful Hint for Searching: Use the “Type” drop down box if you are unfamiliar with the College prefixes.

Prerequisite: a course you must successfully complete prior to enrolling in the course for which it is listed as a prerequisite. You must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better for the course to satisfy a prerequisite requirement, unless otherwise specified in the course description.

Corequisite: a course you must enroll in simultaneously as the course for which it is listed as a corequisite.

Previously or Concurrently Enrolled​: a course you have previously taken and earned a grade of C (2.0) or better, or a course in which you are taken concurrently with another course(s).

Contact hour disclaimer: Weekly lecture/lab/external contact hours denoted in all course descriptions reference a standard sixteen (16) week fall or spring semester. For non-standard semesters/sessions (e.g. summer semesters, winter/spring mini-mesters, 12-week sessions, etc.), the lecture/lab/external material will be covered over a shorter period of time, resulting in more hours each week. Total contact hours will remain the same for each course regardless of the semester/session type or the teaching modality (e.g. internet, blended, face-to-face, etc.). Detailed weekly hour combinations are available in the specific course syllabus.

Types of Course Fees:

Online Course Fees : A $25 per course fee covering the cost of software and equipment will be charged for online and blended course sections.

Course/Lab/SIM Lab/Testing Fees : These fees are additional charges, approved by the Blinn College Board of Trustees, for specific courses that have demonstrably higher costs of delivering instruction because of the need for special equipment, supplies, use of facilities, technology, software, field trips, testing costs, or lessons required by the course.

Book Fee (First Day™/Inclusive Access):
First Day is a B&N Bookstore’s Inclusive Access program. With this program, the cost of course materials is added, by Blinn College, as a charge for the course. Students receive benefits including:

• Deeply discounted textbook
• The guaranteed right textbook
• Single Sign-On (no access codes)
• Access on or before the first day of class

Courses included in the Core Curriculum are noted as Core 1.

Note: The second digit of a course rubric identifies the number of credit hours a student will earn upon completing the course. For example: ENGL 1 301 is a 3 credit hour course, as denoted by the 2^nd digit.