1. serving as a preliminary instruction or as an introduction to further study
Usage: formal; academic

1. a course of study that serves as an introduction to more advanced work
Usage: formal; academic

Examples

• The propaedeutic course in philosophy prepared students for advanced ethical theory.
• Mathematics serves a propaedeutic function for students entering engineering programs.
• The university requires a propaedeutic in research methods before graduate study.
• Her propaedeutic training in Latin helped her understand medical terminology.
• The propaedeutic nature of the introductory seminar became clear over time.
• Students must complete the propaedeutic before advancing to specialized coursework.