<p>Wondering if Tyler or current students or parents could speak to the 4 credit classes. I am not familiar with 4 credit classes beyond science labs. What do you like and not like about it?</p>
<p>Is it 4 hours of classes a week vs 3? What is an example of the schedule for non lab classes? </p>
<p>I'm uncertain the benefit of this system, and honestly have never heard of it before. However, it's also been 20+ years since I was in college.</p>
<p>4 credit hour classes generally meet longer and cover more material than 3 credit classes.</p>
<p>You can always contact the College Center for Academic Support to ask specific questions. [Center</a> for Academic Support : Arts, Sciences, Engineering](<a href=“http://www.rochester.edu/college/CCAS/]Center”>College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester)</p>
<p>The 4 credit non-science classes that I took at Rochester either met on MWF for 2.5 hours of classroom time or on Tues/Thurs for 2.5 hours of classroom time. Additionally, almost all courses have a “workshop” once a week which takes up another hour or more. At these workshops, you will delve into group discussions / work on assignments / go over crucial material.</p>
<p>Can anyone else chime in? </p>
<p>4 credit classes are certainly the “norm” at UR.</p>
<p>Three credit classes are more common at schools that run on a quarter system. At those schools, a 3 credit class meets 3x week for 50 minutes or 2x week for 75 minutes, but for only 9-10 weeks (which is how long a quarter lasts) as opposed to a semester which is 12-14 weeks.</p>
<p>Semester classes cover more material than do quarter classes. I’ve taken [grad] classes at schools which use both quarter and semesters unit systems and which used 3 and 4 credit units respectively. The amount of work for each is about the same DURING THE ACADEMIC UNIT PERIOD, but since the semester lasts longer a 4 credit class overall requires more work.</p>
<p>Many, many years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth (and I was an undergrad fending off pterodactyls on the way to class), 3 credit courses were the norm for a 150 minutes per week semester long course. However, that changed about 15-20 years ago in order to help standardize course weighting since a number of major schools (esp on the West Coast) run on academic quarters instead of semesters.</p>
<p>It seems only a relative handful of kids pay attention to credits: those who are near overloading, who are underloaded, who for some reason or another are a credit or two off in a major or minor. In all my conversations about classes with my kid & friends, the only time credits have come up is in the context of 1 credit things. To put this in practice: you pick what you want and need to take and credit hours rarely come into it.</p>
<p>I guess it just seems strange to me that 4 classes are a full load vs 5. It seems like you would be more focused on fewer classes vs the ability to take more electives or classes outside your major.</p>
<p>My son usually takes 5 classes. He had 22 hours last semester and 21 this semester.</p>
<p>D2 also usually takes 5 classes/semester. In fact, this semester is the first time since her first semester at UR (when all UR newbies are restricted to under 18 credits) she hasn’t. (D2 will graduate in May.)</p>
<p>Overloading is fairly common.</p>
<p>4 classes is normal at schools. Works out to 32, which is also the most common. My school required 36, which was really abnormal. I know a few schools require 30, which is fairly abnormal. </p>
<p>Overloading isn’t really overloading if you qualify to do it. Most schools limit what freshmen can take as loads but then it depends on keeping a minimum GPA, which usually isn’t that high a bar. There are at many schools usually limits on how many classes you can take without paying more.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity Lergnom and WayOutWestMom, do you know if the Engineering students typically overload or is their load heavy enough?</p>
<p>Typically engineering students don’t overload–or if they do, it’s only for a semester or two. Not something you’d typically see every semester. </p>
<p>In fact, engineering students are excused from having 2 clusters. They are only required to have one.</p>
<p>[Clusters</a> : Center for Academic Support](<a href=“http://www.rochester.edu/college/ccas/AdviserHandbook/Clusters.html]Clusters”>Clusters : Advising Handbook : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester)</p>
<p>Edited to add: Just look at the recommended course sequence for BME and ChemE. Both of those majors already require 5 courses/semester for 1-2 semesters in order to complete the curriculum in 5 years.</p>
<p>FOUR years. </p>
<p>(Sigh. Shouldn’t be in so much of a hurry.)</p>
<p>Well aren’t I showing my age?! Son will be in engineering. I already peeked at his first semester required classes and I am glad it looks manageable. For him, not me, I wouldn’t dream of thinking about engineering. Looks like he’ll take the required writing, a calculus, a physics for engineering, and an engineering choice - which he says he wants digital music. For a first semester it seems like a good bunch of classes. </p>
<p>Is there much difficulty getting the classes you need the semester you need them?</p>
<p>I’m so excited for him. Once you are accepted at his hs you are allowed to wear a college sweatshirt on Fridays - vs coat and tie so it is a big deal to the kids. Never expect to see this kid in khaki’s, polo’s, or shirts and ties in college! </p>
<p>The next hurdle will be actually leaving him there and coming home without him.</p>
<p>eyemamom - my S has never had trouble getting into a class he wanted, even if it was full (just email the prof) or is he hadn’t had the prerequisite (the system let him register anyway). I don’t know if there’s a difference in the engineering department though - these classes were in the College of Arts & Sciences.</p>
<p>Wait - didn’t you know about UR’s dress code? Students have to wear a shirt/tie whenever they’re in class. In dorms, library, and cafeteria they are free to wear khakis and polos though, so it’s not that bad.</p>
<p>I’m just kidding. ;)</p>
<p>eyemamom, what area of engineering is your son going to major?</p>
<p>Incoming freshman students have own their separate registration over the summer. There are whole courses reserved just for freshmen, esp in introductory level courses: calc, chem, bio, psych, soc, econ etc.</p>
<p>If they want to enroll in open course (like a intro course in philosophy or history or an upper level course), they have to take their chances since upperclassmen get first dibs.</p>
<p>Sometimes contacting the a prof will work. Or just keep checking with the prof and/or registrar since people do drop classes and space will open up during the first 2 weeks. (HINT: it helps to attend the class you want even if not registered for it. You’re more likely to be allowed to enroll and you won’t be behind in the material.)</p>
<p>Popular writing course topics fill fast and it’s pretty easy to get closed out of those. Getting in by contacting the instructor doesn’t work well for those classes because there is a pretty strict class size limit for writing classes. However, the same topics will be offered again in the spring. Students don’t HAVE to take freshman writing in the fall. In fact, they don’t have to take it during freshman year. Just some time before they apply for graduation.</p>
<p>D2 has never had an issue getting into a class she wanted. But sometimes she’s ended up with a section time (for recitation or lab) that was less than popular. Like Friday evening. If your son is flexible about when he’ll attend class, he usually won’t have any trouble.</p>
<p>PN - you are a hoot! He’ll probably burn his hs uniform after graduation. Interestingly the blazer can be thrown in the washer and dryer if it gives you any indication of the quality.</p>
<p>Lakemom - He wants electrical engineering. I saw how few actually majored in that, it’ll be like hs all over again - he’s only got 2 other classmates in his calc and mat lab class this year. </p>
<p>The scheduling will be on him. I’ll only be able to “advise” from a distance. Hopefully he’ll be open to asking for help.</p>