Academic Load

College of Engineering Undergraduate Policy

Undergraduate students are expected to be enrolled on a full-time basis. To be considered a full-time undergraduate degree candidate, a student must be registered in a minimum of 12 units each term. Students are ordinarily expected to proceed at the rate of 16–18 units per term to graduate within four years.

A student enrolled in fewer than 12 units in the fall or spring term is considered a part-time student. More information on studying part-time can be found here.

College of Engineering Course Overload Policy

Students can overload up to a maximum of 20 units, with each unit over 18 charged at the standard per-unit rate. Engineering students who enroll for 19–20 units for the upcoming term will have the associated fees waived if they meet either of the following requirements:

• Senior class standing
• Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher

Engineering students in the first term of their freshman year or in their first term after transferring to Boston University are not eligible to take more than 18 units. Additional information on the College’s overload policy can be found here.

BU Undergraduate Course Release Policy

BU undergraduate courses (level 500 and above) that are not used to complete the undergraduate degree can be released and used toward completion of a College of Engineering graduate degree. Students must earn a grade of B or higher in the course they wish to release. Students who release courses should note that the released courses are included in determining the calculated undergraduate GPA, and not in the graduate GPA. Appropriate released courses can be counted toward fulfilling graduate degree requirements. Courses must be released prior to graduation and cannot be released once a student has been made official.