Coursework that is referred to as developmental or remedial often signifies noncredit courses designed to help students with weak backgrounds in a particular area.  The course prepares the student for a credit course in that area.

See below for links to recent articles and reports on remedial courses and how they impact student success.

• Article: Promising Path on Remediation: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/03/11/learning
• Lumina Policy Brief: Ending college remediation: Consequences for Access and Opportunity: http://www.elps.hs.iastate.edu/ASHE-Lumina/document/Parker%20Brief-Web.pdf