COURSE is also used for the time ordinarily spent in learning the principles of a science, or the usual points and questions therein. Thus, a student is said to have finished his course in the humanity, in philosophy, &c.
COURSE is also used for the elements of an art exhibited and explained, either in writing or by actual experiment. Hence our courses of philosophy, anatomy, chemistry, mathematics, &c. probably so called as going throughout or running the whole length or course of the art, &c.