Course Information

Courses Offered Here

General Course Information

Course Numbering System

Courses numbered 1-9 are developmental studies courses. Credits earned in these courses are not applicable toward associate degrees and do not transfer to four-year colleges.  Upon approval by the Chief Academic Officer, some developmental courses may provide credit appropriate for diploma or certificate programs. If a grade of “R” has been earned, students may re-register for these courses in subsequent semesters as necessary until the course objectives are completed.

Courses numbered 10-99 are basic non-degree courses for diplomas and certificate programs. The credits earned in these courses are applicable toward diploma and certificate programs but are not applicable toward an associate degree and do not transfer to a four-year college. ESL courses  may be numbered 10-99.

Courses numbered 100-199 are freshman-level courses applicable toward an associate degree, diploma and certificate programs.

Courses numbered 200-299 are sophomore-level courses applicable toward an associate degree, diploma and certificate programs.

Course Credits

The credit for each course is indicated near the title in the course description. One credit is equivalent to one collegiate semester hour. Each semester hour for a course is based on the “academic hour,” which is 50 minutes of formalized, structured instructional time in a course weekly for fifteen weeks. Courses may consist of lectures, out-of-class study, laboratory and shop study, or combinations thereof.

Course Hours

The number of lecture hours in class each week (including lectures, seminar, discussion, and other similar activities) and/or the number of laboratory hours, supervised study, coordinated internship, and other similar activities are indicated in each course in the course description.  The number of lecture and laboratory hours required in a course each week are called “contact” hours (time spent under the direct supervision of a faculty member). In addition to the lecture and laboratory hours in class each week, each student must spend some time on out-of-class assignments under his or her own direction. Usually, each credit per course requires at least three hours of out-of-class work each week.

Distance learning courses must include the same content and deliver the same student outcomes as courses taught in the classroom. Contact hours for distance learning courses may not refer to seat time, they still indicate the amount of course time devoted to lecture and laboratory instruction.

Prerequisite(s)

All courses at Virginia Peninsula Community College have reading prerequisite(s), except those that are specifically exempted. Students who are placed into ENG 1, ENF 2, or ENF 3, Preparing for College English I-III must complete these courses before enrolling in any non-exempt course. Prerequisites are listed in each semester’s Schedule of Classes and may include developmental courses identified through the College’s Placement Testing Program.

If any other prerequisite(s) are required before a student may enroll in a course, they will be identified in the course description. Unless otherwise noted, courses in special sequence (usually identified by numerals I-II) must be taken in order. The Prerequisite(s) or their equivalent must be completed satisfactorily before a student may enroll in a course unless special permission is obtained from the major division chair and the instructor. Students who register in violation of college prerequisite(s) are subject to administrative withdrawal.

Co-Requisites(s)

A co-requisite course must be taken simultaneously with another course unless the student has already completed it successfully. Co-requisites are listed in the Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Schedule of Classes and may include developmental courses identified through the College’s Placement Testing Program.  The College reserves the right to withdraw students from courses if they are not also enrolled in the co-requisite or have not completed it successfully.

General Usage Courses 

General usage courses apply to multiple curricula and to all disciplines. Courses may be repeated for credit, and may include lecture, laboratory, out of class study, or a combination. The college catalog shall include course information as listed in the Master Course File, to include course number, title, credits, and description. More specific information may be published in the class schedule. See VCCS Policy 5.3.0.3.

Courses apply to multiple curricula and all disciplines and may carry a variety of prefix designations. Specific course information may be included in class schedules. Course may include lecture, lab, out-of-class study, or a combination. Courses include the following:

90, 190, 290 Coordinated Internship (1-5 credits)
Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the college. Credit/practice ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours per week. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours per week.

93, 193, 293 Studies In (1-5 credits)
Covers new content not covered in existing courses. Allows instructor to explore content and instructional methods to assess the course’s viability as a permanent offering. A “studies in” course is intended as an experimental course to test its viability as a permanent offering. Each offering of the course must be approved but the Chief Academic Officer or designee. An experimental course may be offered twice, after which the course must be approved under the appropriate discipline. Variable hours per week.

95, 195, 295 Topics In (1-5 credits)
Provides the opportunity to explore topic areas of an evolving nature or of short-term importance. A “Topics in” course is intended to cover topics of an evolving nature or a Short-term importance in the discipline. The course shall be approved by the academic VP or designee for a period of up to two-years. The academic VP or designee may approve an extension of another two-year period, after which the course must be approved under the appropriate discipline.

96, 196, 296 On-Site Training In (1-5 credits)
Offers opportunities for career orientation and training without pay in selected businesses and industry. Supervised and coordinated by the college. Credit/work ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours per week. Variable hours per week.

97, 197, 297 Cooperative Education In (1-5 credits)

Provides on-the-job training and pay in approved business, industrial and service firms. Applies to all career-technical curricula at the discretion of the college. Credit/work ratio not to exceed 1:5 hours. Variable hours per week.

98, 198, 298 Seminar and Project In (1-5 credits)
Requires completion of a project or research report related to the student’s occupational objective and a study of approaches to the selection and pursuit of career opportunities in the field. Variable hours per week.

99, 199, 299 Supervised Study In (1-5 credits)
Assigns problems for independent study outside the normal classroom setting under the guidance and direction of an instructor. Incorporates prior experience and instruction in the discipline. Variable hours per week.

General Electives

In addition to general education and courses required for their major, students may also have the opportunity to enroll in a credit course as a general elective. The curriculum outline for each program lists specific courses students must take to complete the degree or certificate, and most programs limit student choice to lists of approved courses. Some programs, however, may provide flexibility for students to select any credit course at the 100- or 200-level in which they have an interest. Transfer students are advised to consult a Virginia Peninsula Community College Advisor and the transfer institution’s transfer guide to determine transferability of elective courses