Course Descriptions

All credit courses are listed in the Catalog. Following the course number and title are the units of credit that may be earned. The course descriptions describe the total number of lecture and/or laboratory hours that are required for that course per semester.

The following section presents a description of every course offered in the College. Each description is self-contained, i.e., each contains important information on prerequisites, units and hours, limitations on enrollment, recommendations, scheduling by semesters and other data which may be required in making a decision to include the course in the student’s program of studies.

Course Numbering System

Classification I – Courses Numbered 001-099 and C1000-C2999

These Freshman and Sophomore courses generally correspond to university or senior college lower division courses.

Pasadena City College recommends that universities and senior colleges grant subject or elective credit toward Junior standing for courses in this classification. Specific course credit, however, depends upon articulation with the senior institution. Students should consult the catalog of the institution to which they plan to transfer.
Some courses numbered 001-099 or C1000-C2999 can be accepted only as meeting elective requirements at four-year colleges or universities. For further clarification, students should consult with an Academic Counselor.

Classification II – Courses Numbered 100-399

These courses are technical, semiprofessional or occupationally oriented or they meet community college general education needs.

Classification III – Courses Numbered 400-499

These courses are non-degree applicable and are review and foundation-building courses which are used primarily to qualify students for courses in the transfer classification by satisfying subject or grade deficiencies. Except for certain sequential arrangements, courses in this group are open to all students. Basic skills coursework provides opportunities for students to improve their skills in the areas of mathematics, reading, and writing. These foundation level courses are designed to prepare students for success in further academic work.

Classification IV – Courses Numbered 900-949

These courses are non-degree applicable corequisite courses for specific skills development.

Classification V - Courses Numbered 950-999

These courses are not required or included in a list of required electives for a Certificate of Achievement or degree.  These courses are neither program applicable nor degree applicable. These course units will not count towards a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate's degree.

Common Course Numbering System

The Common Course Numbering (CCN) System is a state-mandated initiative (AB 1111) aimed at simplifying student transfer and ensuring uniformity in course numbers across California Community Colleges.

Starting Fall 2025, PCC switched to a new course numbering system. This new system, called the Common Course Numbering (CCN) system, uses the following structure:

• Subject: Four letter abbreviation (e.g., ENGL for English).
• Course Type Identifier: C= Common Course Number; local courses would not have a C.
• Course Number: Standardized 4-digit course identification.

C1000-C1999 = freshman level course

C2000-C2999 = sophomore level course

Courses identified as common will feature a "C" in their catalog numbers (e.g., ENGL 001A will become ENGL C1000). Some subject area prefixes will also change to align with statewide standards (e.g., SPCH will become COMM). Revisions, including new course numbers and subject prefixes, will be clearly indicated in the college catalog and class schedules to help students easily identify and navigate these changes. Please refer to the Common Course Numbering crosswalk for more details on which courses have been adopted to the CCN system. 

Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)

The Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID) is a statewide numbering system independent from the course numbers assigned by local California community colleges. A C-ID number indicates that the course is comparable in content and scope to courses offered at other California community colleges or participating universities (primarily CSU campuses), regardless of the course title or local course number. If a schedule of classes or catalog lists a course that includes a C-ID number, students can be assured that it will be accepted as an equivalent to a course identified with the same C-ID number at another community college. In other words, the C-ID number can be used to identify comparable courses at different community colleges.

The C-ID numbering system is useful for students attending more than one community college and can be used to avoid repeating a class that has been successfully passed at another community college. Students should always go to www.assist.org to confirm how each college’s course will be accepted at a particular four-year college or university for transfer credit. Because these course requirements may change and because courses may be modified and qualified for or deleted from the C-ID database, students should always check with an Academic Counselor to determine how C-ID designated courses fit into their educational plans for transfer.

The C-ID number can be found in the catalog description.

To view the complete list of PCC courses with C-ID approval, please visit the C-ID website and choose Pasadena City College from the drop-down menu.

Grade Mode Definitions

There are three grade mode (grading options) at PCC, however, not every option is available for every class.

L – Letter grade. See Grading System for a complete
     description.
A – Audit. See Auditing of Classes for a complete description.
P – Pass/No Pass. See Grading System for a complete
     description.

Divisions

Courses are listed alphabetically by sub-department. Divisions of the College, with their sub-departments, are:

Business 

Accounting
Administration of Justice
Business (General)
Business Information Technology
Culinary Arts
Fire Technology
Hospitality
Machine Shop
Marketing
Paralegal
Statistics
Technical Education (General)

Career Technical Education

Automotive Technology
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Construction Inspection
Cosmetology
Design Technology
Electrical Technology
Electronics
Manufacturing Technology
Welding

Counseling

Counseling

English and Language Studies

American Sign Language
Arabic
Armenian
Chinese
English
English as a Second Language
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Latin
Linguistics
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish

Health Sciences

Anesthesia Technology
Dental Assisting
Dental Hygiene
Emergency Medical Technology
Gerontology
Health Sciences
Medical Assisting
Nutrition
Nursing
Personal Care Assistant
Pharmocology
Radiologic Technology
Restorative Dental Technology

Kinesiology, Health and Athletics

Health Education
Kinesiology – Activity
Kinesiology – Theory
Kinesiology – Intercollegiate Athletics

Library

Library

Mathematics 

Mathematics
Statistics

Natural Sciences

Anatomy
Astronomy
Agriculture Plant Science
Biology
Chemistry
Engineering   
Environmental Studies   
Geography   
Geology   
Laser Technology
Microbiology   
Physical Science   
Physics   
Physiology

Performing and Communication Arts

Dance
Music
Popular Music
Speech Communication
Theater Arts

Social Sciences

American Institutions
Anthropology
Child Development
Economics
Education
Ethnic Studies
Global Studies
History
Humanities
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Social Sciences
Sociology
Special Education Technology
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Statistics

Special Services

Special Services

Visual Arts and Media Studies

Architecture
Art
Cinema
Communication
Design/Media Arts
Fashion
Journalism
Photography
Television and Radio
Theater Arts

Common Course Numbering

The Common Course Numbering (CCN) system is a state-mandated initiative (AB 1111) aimed at simplifying student transfer and ensuring uniformity in course numbers across California Community Colleges. 

Starting Fall 2025, Pasadena City College (PCC) will begin adopting the new course numbering system for several CSU- and UC-transferable courses. The chart below provides a list of courses that are offered at PCC with a comparison of the former course subject and number with the new course subject and number based on the CCN system. Please see the PCC Common Course Number webpage for details. 

For more information about additional course numbers changing to CCN, please contact the Articulation Office at articulation@pasadena.edu. 

Common Course Numbering cross-walk

Former Course Subject/Number	Former Course Title	CCN Course Subject/Number	CCN Course Title
ENGL 001A	Reading and Composition	ENGL C1000	Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL 001AH	Honors Reading and Composition	ENGL C1000H	Academic Reading and Writing-Honors
ENGL 001C	Intermediate Composition-Critical Thinking and Argument	ENGL C1001	Critical Thinking and Writing
ENGL 001CH	Honors Intermediate Composition-Critical Thinking and Argument	ENGL C1001H	Critical Thinking and Writing-Honors
POLS 001	Introduction to American Government and Politics	POLS C1000	American Government and Politics
PSYC 001	Introductory Psychology	PSYC C1000	Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 001H	Honors Introductory Psychology	PSYC C1000H	Introduction to Psychology-Honors
SPCH 001	Fundamentals of Speech	COMM C1000	Introduction to Public Speaking
SPCH 001H	Honors Fundamentals of Speech	COMM C1000H	Introduction to Public Speaking-Honors
STAT 050	Elementary Statistics	STAT C1000	Introduction to Statistics
STAT 050H	Honors Elementary Statistics	STAT C1000H	Introduction to Statistics-Honors