Because space in the School is limited, students are encouraged to complete all courses for their year of program within each academic year. Students who have not yet been placed in a specific degree program are advised that taking a reduced course load may disadvantage them when they are ranked for placement in programs.
As long as students take at least 9 units (not including Block Week courses) directly applicable to the degree program in which they are registered in each of the Fall and Winter Terms, they will be allowed to continue in Engineering provided all other requirements for satisfactory standing are met. Students who take two or fewer courses in Fall or Winter without valid reason for doing so may be required to withdraw or may lose their space in their degree program. This also applies to students who start a term in three or more courses but complete two or fewer due to withdrawals from courses.
Part-Time Studies
Students who wish to take two or fewer courses in a Fall or Winter Term for valid reasons must request permission from the Associate Dean (Student Affairs). Valid reasons include (but are not limited to): inability to take courses due to missing prerequisites; inability to take courses due to not having been placed into a degree program; extraordinary extracurricular activities such as national team athletic training and competition; extenuating circumstances such as serious disability, illness, or family issues.
As many required courses are not offered during the evenings or during the Spring or Summer Intersession, students should anticipate that it will not be possible to complete their degree without a significant time commitment on weekdays during several Fall and Winter Terms.
Note also that there is a regulation under 3.4 Academic Performance, Review, and Student Standing that students must normally complete all degree requirements within eight calendar years.