WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – A plan to use online open-source curricula for more classes at Purdue University starting this fall could collectively save students up to $1 million.

The Journal and Courier (http://on.jconline.com/1B5eVgf ) reports the plan would be an alternative to online programs that can cost students more than $100 per class to access.

Purdue plans to expand use of an open-source online system developed in the early 1990s at Michigan State University. About 4,500 students in geometry and calculus courses wouldn't have to pay for textbooks or access to publisher-backed systems. Roughly 200 biology students currently use the system.

Other departments, including physics, chemistry and political science, use similar open-source curricula software.

Purdue Student Government last month passed a resolution asking that the provost's office replace existing online programs that are costly for students.