Abbreviations and Symbols
Following is the system of abbreviations and symbols used in the course listings that appear throughout this Bulletin.
Part of each course number is an alphabetical prefix that indicates the University school, college, or program (first three letters) and the department (next two letters) in which the course originates. For example, CAS HI 102 indicates a course in the College of Arts & Sciences, Department of History. The alphabetical prefixes used in this Bulletin are explained in a table below.
The number indicates the course’s level of difficulty. A general guide follows. Should a school or college attach more specific meanings or stipulations to the numerical level, these will be explained in that school’s section of the Bulletin.
- 000–099
- Nondegree, no units
- 100–199
- General undergraduate
- 200–299
- Intermediate undergraduate
- 300–399
- Advanced undergraduate
- 400–599
- Advanced undergraduate and/or graduate level
- 600–799
- General graduate
- 800–899
- Advanced graduate
- 900–999
- Graduate directed study, research, continuing study status
An X after a course number indicates that the course is given off campus.
Course descriptions usually offer a brief outline of the content of the course, any prerequisites or corequisites, the instructor, unit value, and term the course is offered. Abbreviations frequently used are:
- Prereq
- Prerequisite
- Coreq
- Corequisite
Not offered means that the course is not offered during the current academic year but may be offered in the future.
Offered irregularly means that the course is offered only if there is sufficient demand.
As of the 2024/2025 Bulletin, the terms below have been updated:
| Former usage | Current usage |
| Credit(s) | Unit(s) |
| Semester(s) | Term(s) |
| Hub unit(s) | Hub requirement(s) |
| Degree Advice | Degree Progress Report |
Abbreviations used in degree programs
- /
- Joint Degree
- ArtDp
- Artist Diploma
- BA
- Bachelor of Arts
- BFA
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- BLS
- Bachelor of Liberal Studies
- BS
- Bachelor of Science
- BSBA
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- CAGS
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
- Dip
- Graduate Diploma
- DBA
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Deg Cand
- Degree Candidate
- DMA
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- DMD
- Doctor of Dental Medicine
- DMin
- Doctor of Ministry
- DPT
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- DrPH
- Doctor of Public Health
- DSc
- Doctor of Science
- DScD
- Doctor of Science in Dentistry
- EdD
- Doctor of Education
- EdM
- Master of Education
- JD
- Juris Doctor
- LLM
- Master of Laws
- MA
- Master of Arts
- MAT
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- MBA
- Master of Business Administration
- MCJ
- Master of Criminal Justice
- MCP
- Master of City Planning
- MD
- Doctor of Medicine
- MDiv
- Master of Divinity
- MEng
- Master of Engineering
- MFA
- Master of Fine Arts
- MLA
- Master of Liberal Arts
- MLS
- Master of Liberal Studies
- MMEDIC
- Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum
- MMH
- Master of Management in Hospitality
- MMT
- Master of Mathematics for Teaching
- MPH
- Master of Public Health
- MS
- Master of Science
- MSD
- Master of Science in Dentistry
- MSIM
- Master of Science in Investment Management
- MSL
- Master in Study of Law
- MSM
- Master of Sacred Music
- MSMF
- Master of Science in Mathematical Finance
- MSOT
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- MSW
- Master of Social Work
- MTS
- Master of Theological Studies
- MUA
- Master of Science in Urban Affairs
- MusB
- Bachelor of Music
- MusM
- Master of Music
- OpIns
- Opera Institute
- OTD
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- PerfDip
- Performance Diploma
- PhD
- Doctor of Philosophy
- ScD
- Doctor of Science
- STM
- Doctor of Sacred Theology
- ThD
- Doctor of Theology
Abbreviations used in course numbers
- CAS
- College of Arts & Sciences and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
- AA
- African American & Black Diaspora Studies
- AH
- History of Art & Architecture
- AI
- Asian Studies
- AM
- American & New England Studies, including Preservation Studies
- AN
- Anthropology
- AR
- Archaeology
- AS
- Astronomy
- BB
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- BI
- Biology
- CC
- Core Curriculum
- CG
- Modern Greek
- CH
- Chemistry
- CI
- Cinema & Media Studies
- CL
- Classical Studies
- CS
- Computer Science
- EC
- Economics
- EE
- Earth & Environment
- EI
- Editorial Studies
- EN
- English
- FR
- French Studies (International Programs only)
- FY
- First Year Experience
- HI
- History
- HU
- Humanities
- ID
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- IN
- Internships
- IP
- International Programs
- IR
- International Relations
- IT
- Italian Studies (International Programs only)
- JS
- Jewish Studies
- LA–LZ
- Modern Languages, including Linguistics
- LA
- Hausa
- LC
- Chinese
- LD
- Amharic, Igbo, Mandinka/Bambara, Setswana/Sesotho, isiZulu, Other African Languages and Linguistics
- LE
- Swahili (Kiswahili)
- LF
- French
- LG
- German
- LH
- Hebrew
- LI
- Italian
- LJ
- Japanese
- LK
- Korean
- LL
- Language Learning
- LM
- isiXosha
- LN
- Hindi-Urdu
- LO
- Yoruba
- LP
- Portuguese
- LR
- Russian
- LS
- Spanish
- LT
- Turkish
- LU
- Pulaar
- LW
- Wolof, Akan Twi
- LX
- Applied Linguistics
- LY
- Arabic
- LZ
- Persian (Farsi)
- MA
- Mathematics & Statistics
- ME
- Middle East & North Africa Studies
- MR
- Marine Science
- MS
- Medical Science
- MU
- Music
- NE
- Neuroscience
- NG
- Nigerian Studies (International Programs only)
- NS
- Natural Sciences
- PH
- Philosophy
- PO
- Political Science
- PS
- Psychological & Brain Sciences
- PY
- Physics
- QU
- Spanish Studies (Quito only)
- RN
- Religion
- RO
- Romance Studies
- SO
- Sociology
- SP
- Special Programs
- SS
- Social Sciences
- SY
- Senior-Year Development
- TL
- Literary Translation (Note: TL are CAS courses and degree is GRS)
- WR
- Writing
- WS
- Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
- XL
- Comparative Literature
- CDS
- Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences
- BF
- Bioinformatics
- CD
- Data Science
- DX
- Online Data Science course
- CFA
- College of Fine Arts
- AR
- Visual Arts
- TH
- Theatre
- FA
- CFA Courses
- ME
- Music Education
- ML
- Applied Lessons
- MP
- Performance
- MT
- Music Theory
- MU
- Music
- PS
- Child Growth & Development
- CGS
- College of General Studies
- HU
- Humanities
- MA
- Mathematics
- NS
- Natural Science
- RH
- Rhetoric
- SS
- Social Science
- COM
- College of Communication
- CI
- Cinema & Media Studies
- CM
- Mass Communication, Advertising & Public Relations
- CO
- Core Courses
- EM
- Emerging Media Studies
- FT
- Film & Television
- JO
- Journalism
- ENG
- College of Engineering
- BE
- Biomedical Engineering
- BF
- Bioinformatics
- EC
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- EK
- Engineering Core
- ME
- Mechanical Engineering
- MS
- Materials Science & Engineering
- SE
- Systems Engineering
- GMS
- Graduate Medical Sciences
- AN
- Anatomy and Neurobiology
- BC
- Healthcare Emergency Management
- BI
- Biochemistry
- BN
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- BT
- Biomedical Laboratory & Clinical Sciences
- BY
- Biophysics
- CI
- Clinical Investigation
- FA
- Forensic Anthropology
- FC
- Foundations Curriculum
- FS
- Biomedical Forensic Sciences
- GC
- Genetic Counseling
- GE
- Genetics and Genomics
- HS
- Health Professions
- IM
- Bioimaging
- MA
- Medical Anthropology & Cross-Cultural Practice
- MH
- Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine
- MI
- Microbiology
- MM
- Molecular Medicine
- MS
- Medical Sciences
- NU
- Nutrition & Metabolism
- OB
- Oral Biology
- OH
- Oral Health Sciences
- PA
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
- PH
- Physiology
- PM
- Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics
- HUB
- BU Hub – General Education Program
- CC
- Cocurricular
- FY
- First-Year Experience
- IC
- Interdisciplinary Course
- RL
- RIL with Honors Thesis or Directed Study
- SA
- Study Abroad Experience
- SJ
- Social & Racial Justice
- XC
- Cross-College Challenge
- KHC
- Kilachand Honors College
- LAW
- School of Law
- AM
- American Law
- BK
- Banking
- JD
- Juris Doctor
- XB
- Business Law
- TX
- Tax Law
- MED
- Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- MET
- Metropolitan College
- AD
- Administrative Sciences
- AH
- Art History
- AN
- Anthropology
- AR
- Arts Administration
- AT
- Actuarial Science
- BI
- Biology
- BT
- Biomedical Laboratory & Clinical Sciences
- CH
- Chemistry
- CJ
- Criminal Justice
- CM
- Communications/Advertising
- CS
- Computer Science
- EC
- Economics
- EN
- English
- ES
- Earth Sciences
- HC
- Health Communication
- HI
- History
- HU
- Humanities
- IS
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- LD
- Leadership
- LX
- Linguistics
- MA
- Mathematics, Statistics
- MG
- Management
- ML
- Gastronomy
- PH
- Philosophy
- PO
- Political Science
- PS
- Psychology
- PY
- Physics
- SO
- Sociology
- UA
- Urban Affairs
- OTP
- Officer Training Program (ROTC)
- AS
- Aerospace Studies (Air Force)
- MS
- Military Science (Army)
- NS
- Naval Science (Navy)
- Questrom
- Questrom School of Business
- AC
- Accounting
- BA
- Business Analytics
- DS
- Doctoral Dissertation Section
- ES
- Executive Skills
- FE
- Finance
- FI
- MSIM
- HF
- Humphrey Scholars
- HM
- Health Sector
- IM
- International Management
- IS
- Management Information Systems
- LA
- Law
- MF
- Math Finance
- MG
- Ethics
- MK
- Marketing
- MO
- Organizational Behavior
- MS
- Management Studies
- OM
- Operations & Technology Management
- PL
- Markets, Public Policy & Law
- QM
- Quantitative Modeling
- SI
- Strategy & Innovation
- SM
- Management Core
- SAR
- Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
- HP
- Health Professions
- HS
- Health Sciences
- OT
- Occupational Therapy
- PT
- Physical Therapy
- RS
- Rehabilitation Sciences
- SH
- Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
- SDM
- Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
- EN
- Endodontics
- GD
- General Dentistry
- MB
- Molecular Biology
- MD
- Dental Medicine
- OB
- Oral Biology
- OD
- Oral Diagnosis
- OP
- Operative Dentistry
- OR
- Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
- OS
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- PA
- Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
- PD
- Pediatric Dentistry
- PE
- Periodontology
- PH
- Dental Public Health
- PR
- Prosthodontics
- RS
- Restorative Dentistry
- SHA
- School of Hospitality Administration
- HF
- Hospitality
- SPH
- School of Public Health
- BS
- Biostatistics
- EH
- Environmental Health
- EP
- Epidemiology
- GH
- Global Health
- LW
- Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights
- MC
- Maternal & Child Health
- PH
- General Public Health
- PM
- Health Policy & Management
- SB
- Social & Behavioral Sciences
- SSW
- School of Social Work
- CP
- Clinical Practice
- ET
- Ethics
- FE
- Field Education
- HB
- Human Behavior
- IS
- Integrative Seminar
- KC
- PhD Proseminar
- MP
- Macro Practice
- SR
- Social Work Research
- WP
- Social Welfare Policy
- STH
- School of Theology
- DM
- Doctor of Ministry
- TA
- Sacred Music and the Arts
- TC
- Preaching, Worship, Administration, Evangelism, and Spirituality
- TE
- Religious Education
- TF
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- TH
- History of Christianity
- TJ
- Practical Theology
- TM
- Mission Studies
- TN
- New Testament
- TO
- Hebrew Scripture
- TR
- Sociology of Religion
- TS
- Ethics
- TT
- Philosophy and Systematic Theology
- TX
- Cross Listed
- TY
- Pastoral Psychology and Psychology of Religion
- TZ
- Research Methods and Professional Development
- SUM
- Summer Term
- WED
- Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
- AP
- Policy, Planning & Administration
- BI
- English as a Second Language
- CE
- Counseling & Counseling Psychology
- CH
- Childhood Education
- CL
- Latin & Classical Studies Education
- CT
- Curriculum & Teaching
- DE
- Deaf Studies
- DS
- Human Development & Education
- EC
- Early Childhood Education
- ED
- Education Core
- EM
- Educational Media & Technology
- EN
- English & Language Arts Education
- HD
- Human Development
- HE
- Health Education
- HR
- Human Resource Education
- IE
- International Education
- LC
- Independent Study
- LR
- Reading (formerly RE Reading Education)
- LS
- Language & Literacy Studies
- LW
- Writing Education
- ME
- Mathematics Education
- PE
- Physical Education & Coaching
- RS
- Research
- SC
- Science Education
- SE
- Special Education
- SO
- Social Studies Education
- TL
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) & Modern Foreign Language Education
- WL
- World Language
- YJ
- Youth Justice
- XAS
- Marine Program/Semester at Sea
- NS
- SEA Semester, Marine Science
- XRG
- Cross-registration outside the University
- AN
- with Andover Newton Theological School through the Boston Theological Institute
- BC
- with Boston College School of Theology and Ministry & Theology Department through the Boston Theological Institute
- BD
- with Brandeis University
- ED
- Episcopal Divinity School through the Boston Theological Institute
- GC
- Gordon Conwell Theological School through the Boston Theological Institute
- HB
- Hebrew College Rabinical School through the Boston Theological Institute
- HC
- with Holy Cross through the Boston Theological Institute
- HD
- Harvard Divinity School through the Boston Theological Institute
- HU
- with Hebrew College
- SJ
- Saint John’s Seminary through the Boston Theological Institute
- TF
- with Tufts University
