The schedules of graduate and undergraduate courses for a given term are published before the end of the preceding term. In the course listings that follow, the credits shown are for one semester only. The University sets aside about three weeks in January for students and faculty to participate in a variety of short courses and innovative activities. Formal or informal instruction may be scheduled or independent work done with or without credit. The activities include lectures, seminars, laboratory arts and practices, computer courses, field trips, theater workshops, intensive language courses, and trips abroad for language study.
Participation is voluntary on the part of both faculty and students.
The Hopkins community tends to use the Intersession period for independent study, intellectual play and experimentation, and broadening cultural experiences, rather than traditional lectures or seminars.