Graduate courses are designed to meet the requirements for a master's degree education. In most universities, it is required for you to complete all or most of your undergraduate classes before entering a graduate course. In some cases, specifically when you are in your last semester of undergraduate classes, you may be allowed to take a graduate course alongside your undergraduate work for that semester.
The expected work load for a graduate course is significantly higher than an undergraduate course. You are expected to show a certain level of mastery over the subject. Your expected level of production will increase. You will also be responsible for more material in your graduate courses and individual reading lists will be much more demanding. Graduate professors are less willing to be versatile with homework expectations and deadlines.
You will be expected to maintain a series of requirements to remain in graduate school. Each graduate course requires you to achieve a grade of B or better to be considered as having passed the course. Lower grades will mean you will have to repeat the course and may suffer additional institutional penalties for poor performance. These expectations have some leniency depending on the university under which you are studying; however, repeated poor performance will likely carry severe penalties.
Some graduate courses offer students the opportunity to organize their own study schedule and work responsibilities. These courses are directed by professors and organized to provide guidance towards your graduate thesis project. These classes include independent readings, projects and research into preapproved subjects. These classes also play an important role in preparing you for your thesis and giving you a strong starting point for your research.
Graduate classes offer a unique learning environment but this environment is contingent on student dedication. Class discussions play an important role in the graduate learning environment where you are allowed to present your ideas in an environment where those ideas are assessed by your professor and your peers. You are expected to participate and contribute in an effective and efficient method.