The courses described in this catalog may not be offered every term or every year. Check the class schedule for the current term’s class offerings. Course outlines for all courses are on file in the Office of Instruction.
Course Numbering System
0-299 | Degree-applicable credit courses (includes courses with letter designations), may be accepted by the California State Universities and the University of California system |
300-399 | Degree-applicable credit courses in selected topics, generally transferable to the California State Universities and in some instances to the University of California system (Unless otherwise indicated, transfer credit for a “300” selected topics course is given only after review of the specific course outline/syllabus by the enrolling UC campus and may not be included in the UC admission decision.) |
400-449 | Degree-applicable credit courses in selected topics, generally not transferable to four-year institutions |
500-599 | Nondegree-applicable basic skills credit courses in reading, writing, computation, and English as a Second Language (limited to 30 units); see a counselor for limitation restrictions and exemptions |
600-699 | Nondegree-applicable credit courses |
800-899 | Noncredit courses (zero unit) |
Cross-Listed Courses
Courses that are cross-listed in more than one discipline are noted as such under the course title, (e.g., ENGL 0044, Also known as HDEV 0044). It may be completed only one time under either discipline.
Course Units
Units of credit are based upon a relationship between the number of units assigned to the course and the number of lecture and/or laboratory hours or performance criteria specified in the course outline. Courses require a minimum of three hours of student work per week, including class time for each unit of credit, prorated for short-term, extended term, laboratory and/or activity courses.
Transfer Status Designation
The transfer status of a course is indicated at the end of the course description.
(CSU) indicates that the course credit transfers to all of the California State University campuses.
(CSU-with unit limitation) indicates that there is a restriction on CSU course transferability.
(CSU, UC) indicates that the course credit transfers to all of the California State University and University of California campuses.
(CSU, UC-with unit limitation) indicates that there is a restriction on UC course transferability.
Courses that are marked (not transferable), (not degree-applicable), or (noncredit) are not transferable to a university.
Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Advisories
Sierra College strives to guide students into courses in which they will have the greatest chance for academic success. The following are the definitions for prerequisites, corequisites and advisory preparation:
"Prerequisite" means a condition of enrollment that students are required to meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or educational program. “C” is the designated minimum grade for prerequisite courses.
"Corequisite" means a condition of enrollment consisting of a course that students are required to simultaneously take in order to enroll in another course.
"Advisory" means a condition of enrollment that students are advised, but not required, to meet before or in conjunction with enrollment in a course or educational program.
Course Hours
Each course description lists approved course hours as the total number of lecture, laboratory and/or activity hours for the semester. These hours do not include expected independent work/study done outside of class.
Course Grading
Most courses may be taken for a letter grade or on a pass/no pass basis at the student’s discretion. Courses that are restricted to specific grading are identified as such at the end of the course description. Courses that must be taken for a letter grade are noted, “letter grade only;” courses that may only be taken on a pass/no pass basis are identified with, “pass/no pass grading.” If no such identification is listed, students have the option to choose, within published deadlines, the type of grading. No more than one course may be taken on a pass/no pass basis per term.
Course Repeatability
Courses that are designated as repeatable are identified as such at the end of the course description, e.g., may be taken three times for credit. If no such notation is included, the course is not considered repeatable.
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
The Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID) is a statewide numbering system independent from the course numbers assigned by local California community colleges. A C-ID number at the end of a course description signals that participating California community colleges and universities have determined that courses offered by other California community colleges are comparable in content and scope to courses offered on their own campuses, regardless of their unique titles or local course number. Thus, if a schedule of classes or catalog lists a course bearing a C-ID number, for example SOCI 0110, students at that college can be assured that it will be accepted in lieu of a course bearing the C-ID SOCI 0110 designation at another community college. In other words, the C-ID designation can be used to identify comparable courses at different community colleges. Students should always go to www.assist.org to confirm how each college’s course will be accepted at a particular four-year college or university for transfer credit.
The C-ID numbering system is useful for students attending more than one community college and is applied to many of the transferable courses students need as preparation for transfer. Because these course requirements may change and because courses may be modified and qualified for or deleted from the C-ID database, students should always check with a counselor to determine how C-ID designated courses fit into their educational plans for transfer.
A list of approved C-ID courses is available in this catalog. To see the most up-to-date list, go to www.assist.org.
Independent Study Courses
0028 Independent Study
Units: 1-3
Transfer Status: Transferable to CSU, UC-with limitation1
Hours to Complete Course: 54 hours per unit. Independent study courses may be taken one time for credit per discipline.
Objectives: These courses are designed for students interested in furthering their knowledge, at an independent study level, in an area where no specific curriculum offering is currently available. Independent study might include, but is not limited to, research papers, special subject area projects and research projects.
Enrollment Procedures:
- Request a Sierra College Independent Study Project form from the appropriate division office;
- Contact the appropriate professor for approval;
- Submit the completed Independent Study Project form to the division dean for approval and issuance of an add code;
- Submit the approved Independent Study Project form to a campus Admissions and Records office.
Internship Courses
0095 Internship
Hours to Complete Course: 60 hours per unit for non-paid work; 75 hours per unit for paid work.
Objectives: Occupational Work Experience is designed for advanced students to expand their knowledge and skills in an area related to their college major.
Limitations: Students may earn up to a total of 16 units in internship courses (any course numbered 0095 and PDEV 0094).
Enrollment Procedures: Students must be continuing Sierra College students, have a minimum 2.0 GPA and attend a mandatory orientation. A written instructional agreement must be developed between the instructor, supervisor and student before the student is approved as an intern. Although some sites offer a wage or a stipend as compensation, most internships are unpaid.
1 | Transfer credit for these courses is given only after a review of the scope and content of the course by the enrolling UC campus. This usually occurs after transfer and may require recommendations from faculty. |
2 | Total of all internship units transferred to CSU may not exceed 16. |