My school has a weird system where they use quarter credits instead of semester credits or units. Can someone explain what a quarter credit is, and how it might be different from other types of credits? Also, how would I convert quarter credits into something more familiar like semester credits or units?
A quarter credit is a unit of measurement for academic coursework in institutions that follow a quarter system. In this system, the academic year is divided into four parts: fall, winter, spring, and sometimes a summer quarter. Each quarter typically lasts around 10-12 weeks. This is different from the more common semester system, where the academic year is divided into two longer parts, with each semester lasting around 15-18 weeks.
The main difference between quarter credits and semester credits is the duration of the course and the total number of credits required for degree completion. Since quarter courses are shorter, you'll need to complete more credits in total to achieve the same amount of coursework as you would in a semester system. Consequently, a course taken in the quarter system usually carries fewer credits compared to the same course in a semester system.
To convert quarter credits into semester credits, you can use the following formula:
Semester Credits = (Quarter Credits 2/3)
For example, if you have 12 quarter credits, you would have the equivalent of 8 semester credits (12 2/3 = 8).
Similarly, to convert semester credits into quarter credits, you can use the formula:
Quarter Credits = (Semester Credits 3/2)
Keep in mind that universities may have specific rules and calculations for credit conversion, especially when you're transferring between institutions. It's important to check with the schools directly for their policies on credit transfers and equivalents.
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