General Information
CREDIT VALUE
The credit value of each course in semester units is indicated just under the title.
A semester unit of credit is equivalent to one hour of the student’s time per week
in lecture for semester length courses with two hours per week in study and preparation.
For lab classes, one unit of credit is equivalent to three hours per week for semester
length courses.
COURSE REPETITION
For more information, please see http://catalog.canadacollege.edu/current/registration/course-repetition.php
BASIC SKILLS ADVISORIES OR RECOMMENDED PREPARATION
For more information, please see http://catalog.canadacollege.edu/current/academic-standards/prerequisites-corequisites.php
PREREQUISITES & COREQUISITES
For more information, please see http://catalog.canadacollege.edu/current/academic-standards/prerequisites-corequisites.php
LIMITATIONS ON SCHEDULING COURSES
All courses and curricula listed in this catalog will not necessarily be offered during
the current academic year. Courses are offered at the College’s discretion in accordance
with its determination of educational needs and available resources. Courses may be
added, canceled, or combined when circumstances warrant.
Any course may be offered either in day or evening. Additionally, some courses are
offered online or as hybrid. Specific information concerning class hours and locations
will be found in the current Class Schedule.
DEGREE AND NON-DEGREE APPLICABLE COURSES
All courses that apply toward the associate degree require that the Curriculum Committee
determine that the coursework is truly at a college level, and that the course incorporates
critical thinking, among other standards. All NON-DEGREE applicable courses have the
following statement at the end of their course description: “Units do not apply toward
AA/AS degree”.
Common Course Numbering
Common Course Numbering is a system that uses the same course number and name for comparable courses across all California Community Colleges. All Common Course Numbering courses start with a "C" in the course number. Courses taken before Fall 2025 will not change on student records. The same course name, number, and title will appear with the original course information on the official transcript.
If a student passed a course before Fall 2025, they should not re-take the same course with the new title and number. The two courses are equivalent. The old course number will appear on all academic transcripts for any of these classes taken before or during Summer 2025. Fall 2025 onward, students will see the new course number.
Please view the Course Numbering Map for a comprehensive list of courses.
Transferability of Courses to State Universities
TRANSFERABILITY OF COURSES TO STATE UNIVERSITIES
Courses that are transferable to California State University (CSU) and/or to University of California (UC) are identified at the end of the course description as “Transfer: CSU” for transferable courses to California State University, and “Transfer: UC” for transferable courses to University of California. Transferable courses to both CSU and UC campuses are identified as “Transfer: CSU, UC”. A complete list of CSU and UC transferable courses are here: catalog.canadacollege.edu/current/ge-worksheets/index.php
Courses that fulfill the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern are also identified by adding “attributes” after the transferability status of the course. For example, HIST 100 is identified as “Transfer: CSU, UC (Cal-GETC 3B or 4). The worksheet for the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) is outlined here: catalog.canadacollege.edu/current/ge-worksheets/index.php
A list of transferable courses to CSU and UC campuses is also available at www.assist.org.
Please consult with a counselor for up-to-date articulation information, and how the courses may apply to transfer lower division General Education and major preparation course requirements. Students should also consult with a counselor about the transferability of courses for transfer to private and out-of-state universities.
Course Numbering & Transferable Credit
The course numbering system in use at Cañada College as part of the San Mateo County Community College District categorizes courses according to the following:
- 100-599 Courses generally transferable to a four-year college or university.
- C1000-C1000E Common Course numbering courses generally transferable to a four-year college or university.
- 600-699 Courses varying in content and which are usually transferable.
- 700-799 Courses that are part of a specific occupational program and which are not generally regarded as transferable.
- 800-899 Courses that are non-transferable
From time to time, a department may offer a course which is experimental in nature, and covers a special topic. Because such courses are never exactly the same, you will not find them described in the catalog. They are, however, regular credit courses of the College.
The following experimental/selected topics credit courses may be offered in all instructional programs as approved by the Curriculum Committee. See class schedule for specific course descriptions and current semester offerings.
680-689 SELECTED TOPICS (DEGREE/CERTIFICATE APPLICABLE, TRANSFERABLE)
Units (Grade Option) 0.5-3; Class Hours: By Arrangement; Prerequisite(s): None. Description:
These courses focus on selected topics not covered by regular catalog offerings. Course
content and unit credit are determined by the appropriate division in relation to
community/student need and available staff. These innovative, experimental courses
may be offered as lecture or lab classes. See semester class schedule for particular
offerings. Transfer: CSU. See schedule of classes for course description.
879 SELECTED TOPICS (DEGREE/CERTIFICATE APPLICABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE)
Units (Grade Option) 0.5-3; Class Hours: By Arrangement; Prerequisite(s): None. Description:
These courses focus on selected topics not covered by regular catalog offerings. Course
content and unit credit are determined by the appropriate division in relation to
community/student need and available staff. These innovative, experimental courses
may be offered as lecture or lab classes. See semester class schedule for particular
offerings. Not designed for transfer credit. Units apply toward AA/AS degree or certificate.
See schedule of classes for course description.
880 OTHER SELECTED TOPICS (NON-DEGREE/NON-CERTIFICATE APPLICABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE)
Units (Grade Option) 0.5-3; Class Hours: By Arrangement; Prerequisite(s): None. Description:
Any division may offer 880 courses focusing on selected topics not covered by regular
catalog offerings and treating the development of reading and writing skills. Appropriate
divisions may also offer non-degree credit experimental courses in reading, writing
and/or math skills. Course content and unit credit to be determined by the appropriate
division in relation to community/student need and available staff. These innovative,
experimental courses may be offered as lecture or lab classes. See semester schedule
for particular offerings. Not designed for transfer credit. Units do not apply toward
AA/AS degree nor certificate. See schedule of classes for course description.
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
For some courses, after the course title, there is an additional C-ID designation. For example, PHYS 250 PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS I (C-ID PHYS 205). This designation is a statewide numbering system independent from the course numbers assigned by Cañada College. A C-ID number next to a course signals that participating California colleges and universities have determined that these courses 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 ANTH 110 (C-ID ANTH 120), students at that college can be assured that it will be accepted in lieu of a course bearing the same C-ID ANTH 120 designation at another community college. In other words, the C-ID designation can be used to identify comparable courses at different community colleges and in the CSU system.
You can find C-ID approved course on the C-ID website by community college. Courses with the same C-ID numbers do not necessarily carry the same transfer articulation. Students should consult the ASSIST database at www.assist.org for specific information on C-ID course designations and to confirm how each college’s course will be accepted at a particular four-year college or university for transfer credit. Counselors can always help students interpret or explain this information.
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*UC Transfer information for individual courses may have limitations. Please refer to the UC Courses Transfer List (https://canadacollege.edu/transfercenter/ucinformation.php) or see your counselor.