Course Load

A normal course load is 5 courses. No student should register for fewer than 4 courses. Students may not register for less than 4 course units (cu) nor more than 5.5 cu without submitting the Faculty Advisor Sign-off form. In general, students with a grade point average below 3.0 are not permitted to take more than 5.5 cu.

First-semester students are not permitted to register for more than 5.5 cu. The maximum course load for second semester may be increased only after the grades for first-semester are posted (usually beginning of January).

Students are not permitted to pre-register for more than 5.5 cu during advance registration. (A 6.5 cu maximum may be granted for dual degree students and seniors who need more cus to graduate on time.) Students may only register for more than 5.5 course units at the start of the new semester after grades and course load from the previous semester are available. The department can increase the maximum load from 5 to 6 cu or 5.5 to 6.5 cu (one cu increment) if the student is in good academic standing (a 3.0 gpa or better and no outstanding incompletes). A request to increase the course load must be received prior to the add deadline, typically two weeks after the start of the semester. Requests to raise course units must be made each semester.

In rare cases, students may request a course load of 7 or 7.5 cu. Such students must submit a Petition for Action which justifies the need to take an excessive course load. A detailed academic plan is required.

Students on probation are limited to a maximum of 4.5 cu.