Course Load Planner Formula

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

Use the Course Load Planner

Formulas Used

Credits per Semester Needed

avg_credits_sem = ceil(credits_per_sem)

Courses per Semester

courses_per_sem = ceil(credits_per_sem / avg_credits_per_course)

Overload Needed

overload_flag = credits_per_sem > max_credits_per_sem ? 1 : 0

Extra Semesters if at Max Load

extra_semesters = ceil(remaining_credits / max_credits_per_sem) - semesters_left

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
remaining_creditsRemaining Credits54
semesters_leftSemesters Remaining4
avg_credits_per_courseAvg Credits per Course3
max_credits_per_semMax Credits per Semester18
credits_per_semDerived value= remaining_credits / semesters_leftcalculated

How It Works

How to Plan Your Course Load

Divide remaining credits by semesters left to find the average credits you need each term.

Formula

Credits per Semester = Remaining Credits / Semesters Left

Courses per Semester = Credits per Semester / Avg Credits per Course

If the result exceeds your institution's maximum load (often 18 credits), you may need summer sessions or an extra semester.

Worked Example

A student has 54 credits remaining over 4 semesters, averaging 3-credit courses, with a max load of 18 credits.

remaining_credits = 54semesters_left = 4avg_credits_per_course = 3max_credits_per_sem = 18
  1. 01Credits per semester: 54 / 4 = 13.5, rounded up = 14
  2. 02Courses per semester: 13.5 / 3 = 4.5, rounded up = 5
  3. 03Max load exceeded? 13.5 <= 18, so no overload needed
  4. 04Extra semesters: ceil(54 / 18) - 4 = 3 - 4 = -1, so 0 extra needed

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Course Load Planner