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What is a "unit"?
Course (or class) work at a college is measured in units.  A unit of credit is defined as number of lecture 
hours per week a class meets.  For example, a one-unit lecture class mee
ts one (1) hour per week; and four-
unit lecture class meets four (4) hours per week.  In some physical ed
ucation, art, drama, and music class, a 
unit of credit is earned for each two (2) hours of class time per week.  In laboratory classes, a unit of credit 
is earned for each three (3) hours of lab time per week.  For each one (1) unit taken, expect at least 	one 	
hours of outside homework per week	.  Therefore, you must organize your class and study time carefully 	
so that you also have time for other responsibilities, such as family and job.  
How many units should I take?
If you want to finish a college major quickly, you should take a full load of about 15 units per term (talk to 
college counselor to find out the exact number of units per term you will need).  If you have a job or family 
responsibilities, you may decide to take fewer units — or even only one class per term.  Some colleges 
suggest that students who work part-time or play sports may follow these
 guidelines:
Number of Units Hours of Homework     Hours Left for Job or Activities
12-18 units   24-36 hours per week homework  8-19 hours per week
8-12 units   16-24 hours per week homework  20-29 hours per week
4-8 units   8-16 hours per week homework  30-40 hours per week
Where do I find information about classes offered?
The college catalog 	provides a description of majors and classes offered by	
the college.  	The schedule of classes	 lists the classes offered for the upcoming	
term.  The schedule of classes helps you plan your college schedule with the 
following information for each class: name of class, number of units, days
and times of class meetings, professor’s name for each class section, and 
room number.  The catalog and schedule of classes are on the college website.
What does "prerequisite" mean?
Prerequisite is class which must be completed before enrollment in another class.  Geography 101 is 
prerequisite for Geography 102 and must be completed before enrolling in Geography 102.  If Electronics 
class has prerequisite (such as Algebra I), and the student did not completed Algebra I in high school with 
passing grade, a college Algebra I class must be completed before enrolling the college Electronics class.	
What does the term "corequisite" mean?
A corequisite is a class which must be taken during the same term as another class.  For 
example, Biology 102 may require a student enroll in Biology Lab 102A  the same term. 
I can't understand course descriptions in the college catalog!
Reading a college catalog and schedule of classes takes practice.  Let’s look at a course 	
description from a college catalog on the next page.
College Vocabulary	
College Vocabulary  (page 1 of 2)

College Vocabulary (page 2 of 2)	
1. a) How is unit of credit defined?  b) How many 	
hours per week does a 3-unit lecture class meet?  
c) In a music class, how many hours per week 
may a 3-unit class meet?  (Answer carefully)  
d) In lab classes, how many hours per week is 
required for each unit earned?  e) How many 
hours of homework can you expect for each	
 unit you take in college?
2. a) How many units per term is considered a 	
full load?  b) If you take 8-12 units, how many 
hours a week are left for a job?	
3. What information is provided by: a) college 	
catalog?  b) schedule of classes magazine? 	
 c) Where may you read both?
4. What is a prerequisite?  
5. What is a corequisite?	
6. From above class schedule, what is the:  
 a) Name of department teaching class? 
 b) Number of the class? c) Name of the class?  	
d) What is prerequisite?  e) May you take this 
class for "no grade"?  f) Is this class offered 	
 every semester?  g) How many hours are 
 required per week for this class?
7. a) What method is used by colleges to 
 number classes?  b) Normally, what are 100 	
level classes?  c) What are 300 and 400 level 
classes? d) May 100 to 400 number classes 
transfer to 4-year colleges?  d) What is different 
about classes that are numbered under 100?	
8. If it takes 60 units to finish a Nursing major, 	
how many semester will it take to graduate if 
you take:  a) 15 units per semester?  b) 12 units 
per semester?  c) 6 units per semester?	
QUICK CHECK:	
Number of the class	
MUSIC 065 — 2 Units
Commercial Songwriting II
Prerequisite:  Completion of Music 064A-B or equivalent courses or 
experiences.  This course is designed for the advanced songwriter and 
encompasses copyright, studio demos, radio playlists, the song markets 
and source materials available to today’s composers.  Each songwriter 
will experience all aspects of the art from creation and evaluation 
through final polishing, demo tapes, and publication.  Two hours lec	-	
ture, one hour non-lecture a week.  Optional credit/no credit or grade.  
This course may not be offered each semester.	
Must take another class 
first, similar class, or 
have songwriting expe	-	
rience
Description of the class
Requires extra time
besides lecture and
homework	Can take this class for fun
or for credit and grade	
Extra comments for
your information	
Name of the class	
Number of units received for taking the class	
Name of Department teaching the class	
Why do classes have numbers?
Each college has its own method for numbering classes.  Normally , classes in the 100s are introductory 
college classes (such as English 101).  Classes in the 200s are the next harder level classes, and classes in 
the 300s and 400s are advanced classes.  All 100 to 400 number classes may usually be transferred to four-
year colleges.  Classes that are numbered under 100 (such as Music 065 in the example above) are usually 
not transferable to four-year colleges.  To find out the exact meaning of the numbering system for a college, 
call the college Counseling Office staff to ask or visit the college's website to research.