prerequisite course

Meaning

A prerequisite course is a class that a student must successfully complete before they are allowed to enroll in a more advanced class. For example, General Chemistry is typically a prerequisite course for Organic Chemistry. It is a formal academic term used during course registration and planning.

Examples

• You cannot register for Calculus II because you haven't taken the prerequisite course yet.

  You cannot register for Calculus II because you haven't taken the prerequisite course yet.

• Introductory Psychology is a prerequisite course for all upper-level psychology seminars.

  Introductory Psychology is a prerequisite course for all upper-level psychology seminars.

• The department chair can sometimes waive a prerequisite course if you have equivalent experience.

  The department chair can sometimes waive a prerequisite course if you have equivalent experience.

• Please check the syllabus to see if there is any prerequisite course required for this class.

  Please check the syllabus to see if there is any prerequisite course required for this class.

• I have to take three prerequisite courses before I can officially apply to the nursing program.

  I have to take three prerequisite courses before I can officially apply to the nursing program.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ This class is a pre-required course for advanced biology.

  ✓ This class is a prerequisite course for advanced biology.

  While 'pre-required' makes logical sense, the standard academic term is 'prerequisite course' or simply 'prerequisite.'

• ✗ I am taking the prerequisite course of chemistry.

  ✓ I am taking the prerequisite course for chemistry.

  Use the preposition 'for' to indicate which advanced class the prerequisite is preparing you for.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Microeconomics is a ___ for the advanced finance seminar next semester.

  💡 A required preparatory class.

  Show answer

  prerequisite course

• If you haven't completed the ___, the online registration system will block you.

  💡 The class you must take beforehand.

  Show answer

  prerequisite course