Credit System

Credit System

The faculties listed in this publication use the credit system, where each course is assigned a credit rating reflecting the number of weekly contact hours. In general, a three-credit course indicates three hours of lectures per week for one term, but this does not apply to all faculties. Laboratory contact hours usually count for fewer credits. Credits also reflect the amount of effort required of you and generally assume two hours of personal study for each contact hour.

The credit weight of each course is indicated in parentheses beside the course title.

Note: One credit equals about 45 hours of work. This may be a combination of lecture, laboratory, tutorial, and conference time plus personal study hours. Personal study hours may include required activities, group activities, time spent doing assignments, and preparing and reviewing for a course. All synchronous activities should be held within the time the course is scheduled per the Minerva Class Schedule. Credit hours normally do not require a set number of synchronous hours, allowing for flexibility in course design and scheduling options. However, some programs, such as those with accreditation requirements, may require a minimum of synchronous contact hours.
Note: Credit for multi-term courses (courses with the suffixes: D1, D2; N1, N2; J1, J2, J3) is granted only after successful completion of all components in the specified time frame. For example, a student would have to take D1 and D2 components in consecutive terms and successfully complete them both in order to obtain credit.
Note for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and Science: As a guideline, a one-credit course would represent approximately 45 hours of total work per course. This is, in general, a combination of lecture hours and other contact hours such as laboratory periods, tutorials, and problem periods as well as personal study hours.
Note for Engineering: One credit normally represents three hours total work per week. This is, in general, a combination of lecture hours and other contact hours such as laboratory periods, tutorials, and problem periods as well as personal study hours. As a guide, the average number of hours per week of course activities is indicated in the course listing underneath the course description. For example, (3-1-5) indicates a course consisting of three lecture hours per week, one hour of tutorial or lab, and five hours of personal study per week.
Note for Summer Studies: For Summer courses, a three-credit course usually indicates ten hours of lectures per week starting in either the May, June, or July session and spanning a maximum period of five weeks.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2024-2025 (last updated Mar. 15, 2024) (disclaimer)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2024-2025 (last updated Mar. 15, 2024) (disclaimer)
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