Credit and Contact Hours
The Carnegie definition of a semester credit hour stipulates that one semester credit hour be awarded for 15 periods of 50 minute classroom lecture each requiring 2 hours of outside preparation by the student. Iona University adheres to the Carnegie classification for both Undergraduate and Graduate Classes as follows:
Undergraduate Semester
In any semester, 15 periods of instruction of 52 minutes each, or 15 laboratory periods of two clock hours each, normally constitute one credit hour. Variations from this standard are indicated in the descriptions for affected courses. Examinations and quizzes are included within the 15 periods. In addition to the periods of instruction, at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments are also required per credit.
52 minutes x 3 days = 156 minutes
78 minutes x 2 days = 156 minutes
156 minutes x 14 meetings = 2,184 minutes
130 minutes for Final Exam = Total 2,314 minutes
2314 minutes / 50 minutes (50 minutes = 1 credit hour) = 46.28 hours
Additional hours of supplementary work required.
Graduate Semester
In any semester, 15 periods of instruction of 120 minutes each normally constitutes three credit hours. Variations from this standard are indicated in the descriptions for affected courses. Examinations and quizzes are included within the 15 periods. In addition to the periods of instruction, at least 60 hours of supplementary assignments are also required per credit.
120 minutes per week x 15 weeks = 1800 minutes (30 hours)
Additional hours of supplementary work required.
Graduate Trimester
In any trimester, 12 periods of instruction of 180 minutes each normally constitutes three credit hours. Variations from this standard are indicated in the descriptions for affected courses. Examinations and quizzes are included within the 12 periods. In addition to the periods of instruction, at least 72 hours of supplementary assignments are also required per credit.
180 minutes per week x 12 weeks = 2160 minutes (36 hours)
Additional hours of supplementary work required.