Instructional Types

Definitions of Types of Instruction

The following definitions were prepared by the Office of the Registrar, and are based on the definitions of the "Carnegie Unit" and the "Student Hour" as established by the Carnegie Foundation. Last Update: October 2010

Instructional Type	Definition
Lecture	Organized instruction in a lecture (one way communication) format. May be listed as the sole type of instruction for the course or in combination with laboratory or discussion sessions. One contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.
Recitation	Organized instruction in a recitation (two way communication) format. May be listed as the sole type of instruction for the course or in combination with laboratory sessions. Includes workshops and seminars. One contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.
Discussion	Regularly scheduled discussion session that is offered in addition to lecture instruction, but is generally scheduled in smaller groups than the lecture. The type of instruction is only offered in combination with lecture and may not be used as the only type of instruction for a course. One contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.
Laboratory	Laboratory experiences that require special-purpose equipment for student participation, experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study. May involve discussion of a forthcoming laboratory or review of a completed laboratory session. Includes scheduled laboratory periods as well as laboratory experiences for which time may be selected by individual students. Two contact hours per week (1,500 minutes per semester) per credit.
Studio	An organized method of instruction with emphasis on the synthesizing nature of the design process and conducted through critique and one-to-one interactions. Two contact hours per week (1,500 minutes per semester) per credit.
Research	A course that requires independent research on the part of the student. Hours spent on the course per week may vary from week to week, though the standard is one contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.
Independent Study	Independent projects, such as special problems or special topics, in which the student works more or less individually at various locations, ordinarily requiring intermittent consultation with the professor. Hours spent on the course per week may vary from week to week, though the standard is one to two contact hours per week (750-1,500 minutes per semester) per credit.
Supervised Experience	Supervised experience in an area of specialization, that may be conducted either on- or off-campus with the student making periodic reports to the instructor. Includes practicum, internship, student teaching, and cooperative work experience. Contact hours may vary, but the minimum standard of 750 contact minutes per semester per credit applies.
Affiliated Programs	Courses offered as part of the programs operated in conjunction with other universities or research laboratories at sites other than UNI, but for which students register for credit through UNI. This includes Lakeside Laboratory courses and international study courses with the title of Study Abroad. Contact hours vary, but the student must have a minimum of 800 contact minutes per semester per credit.