<p>So basically, I'm having trouble figuring out what a "unit" is. Is it related to the number of hours per week or something?<br>
Any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>yes.... related in that for most courses 1 unit = 1 hr/wk of class, but only loosely in that many classes will break that rule (i.e., music classes, classes w/ labs -- especially sciences, practicum classes, etc.)</p>
<p>It's based on the rule of thumb that you spend 2 hours working for every hour in class. So if you're taking a 3 credit course, you're generally supposed to need 6 hours outside of class preparing for that course. So 3+6= 9 hours per week, which is 9 units.</p>
<p>Ken.... 1 credit hour IS 1 unit. 1 unit or credit hour is 1 hour of class per week (on average). It is true, however, that you should (theoretically) expect to spend about 2 hours outside of class (on homework, papers, projects, studying for tests, etc.) for each hour spent in the classroom, so a typical 3-unit class would be 3 hours of class/wk and an additional 6 hours of work outside class</p>
<p>1 unit = 1 credit hour of class.</p>
<p>It doesn't always work out that way, though. At my school normal classes are 5 units, but often split up into 2 2-hour classes a week. So you're only in class for 4 hours, not five.</p>
<p>Perhaps different schools have different terminology. I've seen places where the recommended curriculum is 4 classes at 12 units each, for a total of 48 units.</p>
<p>The standard way to figure it would be one unit for approximately one hour of class. That then (in theory, for the average student) carries with it two or three hours of outside class work. So a 3-unit or 3-credit class would be 9 to 12 hours of work total per week. A full load under that system is usually considered to be 15 units/credits, with 12 being the minimum for full-time enrollment.</p>
<p>But yes, there are alternate ways to do it. Most schools use the above, but if a school seems to be on a different system, I'd check out their academic info to find out what a standard full load is, as well as what their minimum and maximum credit loads are.</p>
<p>Lol by that calculation, the average student would spend between 45 and 60 hours per week on academics. Studies however show that the national average for full-time students is in the low 30s.</p>
<p>My first reaction to that number was "no way". But when I started to observe my daily routines, I noticed that while I thought my academics keep me busy from 9 to 5 and on weekends, I only spend about half of that time actively studying... (The rest is eating, chatting with friends, walking back and forth between buildings etc)</p>
<p>Mmm, no, not necessarily. Richmond is currently switching from a credit system to a unit system, where 3.5 credit hours is equivalent to 1 unit. It's kind of a circular definition right now, i.e. 1 unit = 3.5 credit hours, or 1 unit = one standard class. We also have half and possibly quarter units, too, for things like University Choirs, etc. that receive academic credit.</p>
<p>I know that Kenyon College has Kenyon credits which are equivalent to 8 semester hours...</p>
<p>Are units the same as credit hours?</p>
<p>
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Are units the same as credit hours?
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<p>By the looks of these posts, it is at some schools, and it isn't at others. If it's not obvious (i.e. a 12 unit class), then it's probably best to consult the course catalog, where the information will be listed.</p>
<p>the traditional answer would be yes, but as can be seen, some schools have shied away from this practice in favor of their proprietary system...in which case, you should really just consult your own catalog and/or advisers/faculty/staff/students at your school</p>
<p>I've always seen units used as 1 unit = 1 hour of work per week for that class. So if you have 3 hours of lecture in a week for a 12 unit class, you should expect around 9 hours of homework.</p>
<p>I'd say for my undergrad that was roughly accurate, with some classes being a bit under what they stated, while others were considerably higher.</p>
<p>whenever you here the wordunit in your life, think of it as having a magnitude of 1.</p>