Course Component Documentation

Scope: This article supplies descriptions of the various Course Components used across the University of Maine system.

Purpose: This article supplies detailed documentation on course components including the component’s codes and definitions of the components.

Detailed Information

Course Components

Course components are used to describe specific characteristics of a course that indicate, for example, whether the course is discussion or lecture based.  The components:

  • Allow students to choose classes that fit their learning goals and their program requirements.
  • Allow faculty and staff to categorize classes into the best suited component.

To best describe these differences, the University of Maine System uses Course Component identifiers.

Course Component Details

University of Maine System Course Components for all Institutions beginning Spring 2023

Component Component Code Definition
Applied Music

MUS

 Course that requires music lessons and/or musical performance as part of primary learning objectives.
Clinical CLN Course that requires a clinical experience; most often a nursing or medical course, but can include other unique clinical experiences.
Field Experience FEX Course that requires internships, practicum, student teaching, co-ops, or field experiences.
Independent Study IND

--Independent study course in which no catalog equivalent is available OR

--Directed study course providing content identical to an existing course that is not available, but is required for timely graduation.
Laboratory LAB

Course that meets separately from a lecture component; most often used for science, math and nursing courses, but can include other unique lab experiences.
Lecture LEC Course that delivers all course material through lecture and lecture activities; default course component.
PE Activity PHE Course that requires physical education as part of primary learning objectives.
Recitation REC Additional meeting time required for students to go over material w/instructor or assistant.
Research RSG Course that requires academic or field research as part of primary learning objectives.
Seminar SEM Course that uses class discussion (instead of lecture) as the primary course format, and often has smaller class sizes.
Simulation SIM Course that provides substantial experience in an instructional setting that simulates real-world circumstances and interactions; most often used for law courses, but can include other unique simulation experiences.
Studio STU Course that requires hands on art or media as part of primary learning objectives.
Thesis THS Independent upper level research course most often designed as a capstone or final project/paper in a student’s academic career.
Travel Course TRV

Course that requires short term travel as part of primary learning objectives.

Applies To

  • System-wide
  • Anyone reviewing UMS Data and documentation that includes Course Components.
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