<p>Wow-someone dug up one of my old posts from two years ago. To answer your questions, the prefixes in front of the course number come from the university division which offers or sponsors the course-the link is here</p>
<p>[Departments</a> of Instruction | Columbia College](<a href=“Columbia College Bulletin < Columbia College | Columbia University”>Columbia College Bulletin < Columbia College | Columbia University)</p>
<p>W courses are interfaculty which means they can be sponsored by almost any department or division. C02 is right-it ultimately does not matter very much to the student as long as the course description satisfies what you are interested in taking. In addition make sure the course you register for satisfies what ever requirement you are trying to meet.</p>
<p>Intro Bio is a good example-the course is either numbered C2005 or F2401. These courses are identical in content (except for a recitation section)- the C course is for CC and SEAS students and the F course is for General studies students. Each course satisfies a different set of requirements but they contain the exact same content, are taught by the same professor and even meet twice a day so you have a choice of which time you can attend. Yet during registration you need to make sure you sign up for the C or F course that satisfies your schools or majors requirement. </p>
<p>The only practical issue the student has here is making sure you sign up for the right course among many that may have similar sounding names and course numbers. Check the course catalog to determine what is required or suggested</p>