quarter/trimester/semester system

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by webmonkey, Mar 21, 2001.

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  1. webmonkey

    webmonkey New Member

    Hi:
    I hope someone can help me on this. I'm quite clueless on this issue.

    I went to an undergrad school that had a semester system. So I am well versed on this system but am curious how does the quarter and trimester system work.

    1) Does one finish school faster through a quarter or trimester system?

    2) Are the courses more hectic through a quarter or trimester system?

    Thanks.
     
  2. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    A trimester system is essentially a year-round semester system. They hold two semesters during the normal academic year and a third semester during the summer. The CSUDH HUX program is a trimester program. A quarter system usually holds three quarters in roughly the same time as two semesters. They may or may not hold a summer quarter as well.

    So a trimester program is at least potentially fastest. Then comes a four-quarter (including summer) system. Finally the two semester and three quarter systems (with summer off) are about the same.

    The quarter system is the most hectic. Classes are only 2/3 the length of a semester course. As soon as a quarter system class starts it seems like it's already midterm time.

    The trimester system is the same as the semester system.
     
  3. Orson

    Orson New Member

    Dittos--except some "trimester" systems are really quarter systems without a summer session (e.g., Lawrence Unversity, Appleton, WI).

    With out doubt, the quarter system is the most demanding; one cannot afford to become ill! As one subject to sinusitus and respiratory allergies, let me say I've suffered through quarter system education.
    Semester is much better for me--a least a week of illness won't kill your term!

    Also, the trend in acadamia is clearly away from quarter calendar systems: in the past two years Auburn University, The University of Southern Alabama, The University of Minnesota--Twin Cities, Utah State University, and The University of Utah have ALL abandoned quarter for semester systems (and those are just places I have connections with).
    Apparently, ed-research shows that students retain more information from term-to-term on the semester than the quarter system. Ergo...

    --Orson
     

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