You haven't even mentioned the Nikon D1 series cameras, whilst relating digi back to the film F5.....or would that be adding 'unneccessaries' to the thread! lol.
A 35mm film SLR camera with a std zom or std 50mm lens...for under $200....the choice is massive....
there aren't many secondhand film SLR's that fetch
more than $200 now!
My personal recommendation for a student course with a budget in mind would be to go for a low end model with a manual mode, but one that you know isn't potentially 35+ years old! (which rules out the Pentax K1000 or FM)...either that or have proof that the camera you purchase has been serviced etc and isn't likely to require binning halfway through your course.
Yes a Nikon F5 is a marvelous camera...but due to it's type ...the one's that are under $200 are likely to be ex'hack' units, having been used day in day out, then put on a shelf to gather dust when the office switched to digi only. There are some almost romantic notions about owning a camera that would've cost a fortune...I've been tempted myself at some before...but the head has got to rule the heart!
Canon did loads of Eos film cameras...you could do a lot worse than the later 3000v cameras, some of the later Pentax film MZ series were ok too. ...or how about a Nikon F55 or 75?
just my thoughts thrown into the melting pot.
Good luck with your course
cheers
joe