The main differences stem from the words “elective” and “core”. Core courses are required courses; elective courses are not required—students elect (or choose) to take them. Students in an elective are usually more interested in the material and more motivated to learn, otherwise they wouldn’t have elected to take it.
Other possible differences may include:
Curricula for the core courses are more likely to be mandated by someone “higher up” than the teacher—a committee, a dean, the state board of education. (Standardized tests may also be involved.) Professors typically have more freedom to teach what they want in elective classes.
Electives tend to have fewer students per class.
Electives are usually offered by only a single instructor whereas core courses are usually offered by several instructors.
Core courses are usually offered every term, but electives may be offered once a year (or even less frequently).
Core courses are sometimes taught more by teaching assistants than actual instructors. Electives are usually taught primarily by the actual professor.
Answers & Comments
Explanation:
The main differences stem from the words “elective” and “core”. Core courses are required courses; elective courses are not required—students elect (or choose) to take them. Students in an elective are usually more interested in the material and more motivated to learn, otherwise they wouldn’t have elected to take it.
Other possible differences may include: