[Phys-L] Re: Quarters vs Semesters

[Robert Cohen <Robert.Cohen@PO-BOX.ESU.EDU>]

Michael Edmiston wrote:
<snip>
> Hugh discussed different definitions of quarters.  Actually
> the federal government and most states have definitions of
> quarters and semesters. Schools don't have to follow those
> definitions, but if they don't it is supposed to have
> implications for student financial aid.  A quarter is 10
> weeks of classes (i.e. an exam week would be an 11th week).
> A semester is 15 weeks of classes (i.e. an exam week would be
> a 16th week).  In either system an academic year contains 30
> weeks of classes. A fulltime student must carry at least 12
> credit hours.  A class is supposed to meet one class hour (50
> minutes) for each credit hour.
<snip>

Exam should count also (what about a mid-term exam, for example) and so
I suspect only 15 weeks is required (or 14 weeks plus an exam week).
Overall, there would be the same number of hours (2x15 or 3x10).

This raises the question as to whether the time spent on exams is any
different.  For example, if each quarter course has a single 1-h midterm
and 3-h final, and each semester course has three 1-h midterms and a 3-h
final, that means 3x(1+3)=12 h would be devoted to exams for each
quarter course and 2x(3+3)=12 h would be devoted to exams for each
semester course.  I would think it would be better, pedagogically, to
offer exams more frequently, which would imply that the semester system
is better, no?

____________________________________________________
Robert Cohen; 570-422-3428; www.esu.edu/~bbq
East Stroudsburg University; E. Stroudsburg, PA 18301
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