weeder class

plural weeder classes

1. UScolloquialeducationAn introductory university course that is designed to "weed out" those students who are not able to pass it.

   Many may argue that pass-fail is the “easy way out.” However, a pass-fail weeder class may be more helpful than a traditional weeder class. Pass-fail gives students flexibility and time to learn content and material at their own pace.

   2024 September 16, Opinion Department, “TIAS | It’s Time to Weed Out Weeder Courses”, in The Cornell Daily Sun, archived from the original on 10 Jun 2025

   1 more example

   While the benefits of weeder classes may be dubious in the short run, they definitely pay dividends in the long run. They spur necessary competition among students, which prepares them for the rigors of upper division classes and their careers.

   2015 November 18, Aurash Jalalian, “Weeder Courses Are Par For the Course”, in The Bottom Line, archived from the original on 21 Apr 2021

   Synonyms: weeder course