Weed-Out Course

A course in higher education, typically in STEM fields, that is perceived as intentionally rigorous to filter out students who are deemed unlikely to succeed in a given discipline. Courses like organic chemistry, calculus, and physics are commonly labelled as weed-out courses. This framing is particularly concerning from an accessibility and equity perspective because students with disabilities, first-generation students, and underrepresented minorities may face additional barriers unrelated to their intellectual ability — such as inaccessible course materials, lack of accommodations, or unsupportive learning environments — that disproportionately contribute to attrition. Shifting from a weed-out mentality to inclusive pedagogy is increasingly recognized as essential for broadening STEM participation.