Course Overview

Course descriptions contain the following information, when applicable: a two‑ to four‑letter department code, course number (including alpha suffix, if applicable), title, level, credits, description, repeatability, major restrictions, grade option, prerequisites, co‑requisites, frequency, cross‑listings, and General Education designation. 

Course number (ie. 123) reflects course level (see “Course Numbering System” below). An “A” following the number designates a Selected Studies (honors) section. An “L” following the number designates a laboratory course that is companion to a lecture course bearing the same number. All other suffixes (“B-K,” “M-U,” and “W-Z”) mark separate sections of an “Alpha” course, each having a distinctive content that a student may earn credit toward the degree for each section taken.

Roman numerals (I, II) in a course title indicate the level of a course in a sequence, e.g., Calculus II is a more advanced course following an introductory‑level course.

Credit hours (i.e., 3) are shown following the course title. Variable credit courses are designated “V.” Some classes break down the time spent in lecture and laboratory. (2 Lec, 1 3‑hr Lab)

Description includes class size/format (lecture, discussion, seminar, lab, workshop, studio) and major subjects covered. Other features may include learning experiences (term papers, guest lecturers).

The Repeatable field indicates how many times a course may be taken again for additional credit toward a degree.

Grade option A-F only indicates that the course is offered only for grade. CR/NC only indicates that the course is offered only for credit (CR) or no credit (NC). Credit is given if a student achieves a passing grade. Satisfactory only indicates whether the course is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. No Grading (NG) is for graduate courses only.

The Prerequisites field indicates the prerequisites necessary to register for a course, which may include courses, experiences, and/or consent of the instructor or departmental approval. Some prerequisites may be taken concurrently. When a department has a prerequisite common to a large group of courses, that fact is noted in italics preceding these course listings as a blanket statement.

Co‑requisite indicates that the course must be taken in conjunction with another course.

Frequency of course will determine how often the course is offered. (Fall only) means that the course is offered only in the fall, (Spring only) means the course is offered only in the spring. (Alt. years) means that the course is offered every other year.

Cross‑listed courses (Cross-listed as ABCD 123) indicates that the course fulfills a requirement in more than one department and specifies the alternate departmental course listing.

Upper Division Courses: Junior- and senior-level courses, numbered 300-499, which generally have prerequisites.

General Education designation (e.g., DA) indicates that the course meets a General Education Core requirement. See the key below for designations. Courses that meet the Focus requirement are not designated in the Catalog. Focus‑designations are in the Class Availability website.

General Education Designations

Courses that meet the UH Mānoa General Education Core Requirements are identified with one of the following designations at the end of the course description:

Foundations Requirements

Diversification Requirements

UH Mānoa Graduation Requirements

For more information, see the “Undergraduate General Education Requirements” section of this Catalog.

Please Note:

• Consult your college/school advisor for a list of updated General Education courses. Additional courses may have been approved after the publication of this Catalog.
• Some programs specify which courses their students must take to fulfill the Core Requirements or to fulfill lower division college/school requirements. For these programs, students should consult an advisor from their department prior to selecting courses.

Course Numbering System

Undergraduate Courses (1-499)

Post-Baccalaureate Courses (500-800)

Special Numbers: Courses ending in -99 are directed research or directed study. Experimental courses ending in -97 or -98 and single course offerings are not listed in the Catalog.