Learning process in American universities

Academic callendar

Depending on the university, the academic year starts sometime from late August to mid-September. There are two ways in which the academic year can be organised in US universities:

· semesters:

The US credit system

Course work is measured in “units” or ”credit hours”. Generally, a class that meets for three hours of lectures or discussion a week carries three units of credit – one hour of undergraduate credit means one hour of lecture and two hours of homework, whereas one hour of graduate credit means one hour of lecture and five hours of homework. An average class-load at the Bachelor’s degree level is about 15 units per semester, which means about 45 hours of attendance and study are expected each week. At the graduate level the average class-load is about nine units per semester, so about 54 hours of attendance and study are expected each week.

When referring to “units” or “credit hours” people are generally talking about units in a semester system. Each unit in a quarter system equals 2/3 of a semester-unit. So a student who completes 30 semester-units each year in a semester system is doing the same amount of work as a student who completes 45 quarter-units.

Teaching and learning styles

Most classes are lectures and discussion groups (seminars). In larger institutions where lectures are given to hundreds of students at a time closed-circuit television is often used. Seminars are usually held for a small number of students: students often work on individual projects and report them to the group.

Many universities offer individualized-tudy or self-directed courses, which have no formal classroom sessions. Students work independently on assignments outlined by course materials. They complete the work in their own pace, under the guidance of a faculty member. Learning aids, such as laboratory boths, computers, etc. are provided to such students.

System of grading

The most commonly used index in the U.S. educational system uses five letter grades. Historically, the grades were A, B, C, D, and F:

· A=Excellent (four grade points).

· B=Good (three grade points).

· C=Average (two grade points).

· D=Below average (one grade point).

· F=Failing (zero grade points).

Some schools also offer intermediary grades, the grading scale being A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F. Students securing “Grade F” in any course(s) will require to redo the course before starting advanced courses. However, many graduate students consider a grade below “C” unacceptable as it could affect campus placements.

In addition to the above regular grades, certain universities offer grades such as:

IP – In Progress:

An IP grade means that the student has not completed all the portions of a multi-portioned class that is taken over multiple semesters to earn the regular grade. The IP would be changed to regular grade once all the portions are completed.

NC or NIC- Not Complete or Incomplete:

This grade indicates that the student has missed some exams, assignments or homework that are important to evaluate performance.

W – Withdrawn:

This grade indicates that the student has decided not to enroll for the course after attending the classes for more than a predetermined period.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 533