Unit weights

About the Units form field

  • Purpose: Each course is assigned a unit weight, which is used to calculate weighted averages.
  • Does it appear in the academic calendar: Yes
  • Type of field: Number
  • Constraints: 
    • Include two decimal places in all instances (e.g., 0.50., 1.00).
    • Do not use the field arrows to increase the value.
    • Do not select a negative value.
    • Use a previously used unit weight; if a new unit weight is being considered, consult with the Office of the Registrar before proceeding with the approval process.

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Guidance

  • Unit weights can vary from 0.00 to 3.00 credits; most one-term courses carry a 0.50 unit weight.
    • List of currently used unit weights, with examples: 
      • 0.00 (e.g., non-credit seminar)
      • 0.13 (e.g., work-term reports)
      • 0.15 (note: only used by NE)
      • 0.25 (e.g., laboratory)
      • 0.50
      • 0.75 (e.g., combined lecture and laboratory)
      • 1.00 (e.g., thesis, field course, practicum)
      • 1.50 (e.g., studio, practicum)
      • 2.00 (note: only used by OPTOM)
      • 2.50 (e.g., term abroad, clinical)
      • 3.00 (e.g., clinical)
  • In Kuali CM, the number field is used (versus a text box) in order to automate unit calculations in Kuali CM for plan requirements where desired.
    • If the plan requirements are built with the Course Requirements (Units) field, the system automatically calculates the total units needed, and displays them in the academic calendar. 
  • When unit weights are changing, the course will be changed for all future offerings, which might be problematic if it is a required course as it would increase/decrease the total number of units a student must meet for their requirements.
    • In some scenarios, the best choice is to create a new course that can be used for future students, while retaining the existing iteration of the course for existing students (and subsequently retiring it when no longer needed).
  • Updated unit weights will automatically update where displayed in the plans and course requisites.

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