Four-Unit Course Standard

Note: This policy will expire when the semester system begins at Cal Poly with the 2026-27 academic year.

All courses taught at Cal Poly, with the exception of those listed below, shall be standardized to four or more quarter units. Other cases may be appealed to the Academic Senate with appropriate documentation.

Courses carrying fewer than four quarter units may be desirable in the following cases:

• activity or laboratory classes (PE, Art, Music, etc.)
• classes taught in the supervision mode
• orientation classes
• library classes
• coupled classes (e.g., lecture and labs taken concurrently but listed separately)

 

Source:

Academic Senate Resolution: AS-453-96/CC "Resolution on Standardizing Course Units" (PDF).  Approved 24 April 1996.

Updated:  7/2/25