The term 101 often indicates an introductory level of learning

Learning

Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals and some machines. Progress over time tends to follow learning curves.Human learning...

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Origin

The term originates from use in american university course

Course (education)

The very broad dictionary meaning of the word course is the act or action of moving in a path from point to point . There are multiple meanings for this word, some of which include: general line of orientation, a mode of action, part of a meal, a mode of action, and many more. This article focuses...

 numbering systems, designed to make transfer between colleges

Articulation (education)

In Australia and United States education, articulation or more specifically course articulation, refers to the process of comparing the content of courses that are transferred between postsecondary institutions such as TAFE institutes, colleges or universities...

 easier. In theory, any numbered course in one institution

Academic institution

Academic institution is an educational institution dedicated to education and research, which grants academic degrees. See also academy and university.- Types of academic institutions include :...

 should bring a student to the same standard as a similarly numbered course available elsewhere within the same state.

The standard generally adopted was that the first number refers to the academic level, whilst the following numbers indicate particular speciality within the field of study. 101 is normally a general course at beginners' level.