weeder course

plural weeder courses

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

   Occasionally, people who oppose weeder courses contend that they disincentivize learning and force students to study just for the sake of achieving “the grade.” In some ways, the opposition is right on the money.

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

   1 more example

   Practically, it can be seen clearly that weeder courses are not equalizers. In fact, they exacerbate inequality and continue to push wealthy and privileged students to the top while putting down minority and low-income students.

   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

   Synonyms: weeder class