course work - (Jul/28/2016 )

Hi all, 

what is exactly meant by the "course work" component described in a phd? Does it mean lectures or does it mean practical work other than research study?

Thanks

I haven't been to grad school, but this is what the 500- and 600-level courses are for.

You're going to lectures and possibly doing other lecture-related work.  There are few research-only PhD programs.