Course Load Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the course load calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Course Load Calculator

Formulas Used

Total Credit Hours

credits = total_credits

Estimated Weekly Study Hours

weekly_study = easy_courses * avg_credits * 2 + hard_courses * avg_credits * 3

Total Weekly Commitment

total_weekly = total_credits + easy_courses * avg_credits * 2 + hard_courses * avg_credits * 3

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
num_coursesNumber of Courses5
avg_creditsAverage Credits per Course3
hard_coursesNumber of Hard Courses2
total_creditsDerived value= num_courses * avg_creditscalculated
easy_coursesDerived value= num_courses - hard_coursescalculated

How It Works

How to Evaluate Your Course Load

Course load is measured in total credits and estimated time commitment.

Formula

Study Hours = (Easy Courses x Credits x 2) + (Hard Courses x Credits x 3)

Total = Credits (class time) + Study Hours

Guidelines

  • 12 credits: minimum full-time
  • 15 credits: standard full-time
  • 18+ credits: heavy load (consider carefully)

    • Worked Example

    5 courses at 3 credits, 2 of which are difficult.

    num_courses = 5avg_credits = 3hard_courses = 2
    1. 01Total credits = 5 x 3 = 15
    2. 02Study hours = (3 easy x 3 cr x 2) + (2 hard x 3 cr x 3) = 18 + 18 = 36
    3. 03Total weekly = 15 + 36 = 51 hours

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Course Load Calculator