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Course Loads

A program of study commensurate with your academic abilities should be taken. However, be aware that financial aid registration requirements and other factors may influence the course load that you take.

Course Load Recommendations

In your first term at the university, take 14-15 hours, including two science or mathematics courses. Non-science courses should be solid, academic courses. Lighter loads or easy courses do not enhance your record. Honors courses are recommended for superior students. After your first term, maintain a a 15 to 17-hour load including two-or-three science/math courses each term.

A student of above average academic capabilities and high motivation should be able to carry 15 to 17 credit hours of courses each semester and be able to complete the BSChE in 8 semesters plus the required summer semester.  However, many students take 10 or more semesters to complete their program.

No more than two laboratory courses are recommended in any one term.

Credit Hour Workload

A credit hour during an academic year semester should correspond to a total student effort of roughly 3-3.5 hours of total work per week related to the associated course. For example, a student taking 15 credit hours in an academic year semester (as opposed to a summer semester) would correspond to a total workload of 45-53 hours of work per week for the typical student.

Summer semesters have an increased workload per week in order to match the total workload for an academic year semester.

Policies on Course Loads

Minimum Course Loads

The College of Engineering considers full-time enrollment to be a minimum course load of 12 semester credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and 9 semester hours during summer terms. Be aware that other agencies may have different definitions for full-time student status.

At the time of registration a student, upon the approval of their faculty counselor or the undergraduate coordinator, may register for less than the minimum full time enrollment course load.

Maximum Course Loads

A student may enroll for a maximum of 17 semester credit hours.  However, a student who earned an average GPA less than 2.0 during the preceding term of attendance is allowed a maximum load of 15 credit hours.

Simultaneous enrollment (dual registration) in correspondence courses or extension work at another college or university is counted in computing the maximum, but not the minimum load.

Course Overloads

If a student wishes to enroll for more than 17 semester credit hours, permission must be obtained from the Undergraduate Coordinator and the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs. Course overloads are permitted only for students maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or better during the preceding semester.